Lactuca serriola

Lactuca serriola L.

Asteraceae (Compositae)

  • Lactuca scariola L.
  • Prickly Lettuce
  • khas al-zait خس الزيت
  • khas barri خس بري
  • khas el-baqar خَس البقر
  • khas el-himar خس الحمار
  • lubbein لبين
  • חַסַּת הַמַּצְפֵּן
  • khasat ha-matzpen

Annual

  • Disturbed habitats
  • Nutrient-rich soils
  • ruderal

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses
 
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distribution and other botanical details.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Lactuca serriola L.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses
System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use		 Activity / Interpretation Traditional
Preparation/ Administration		 Parts Used Source
Dermatological

Antiseptic for skin lesions

Antiseptic

1. Use juice of the plant, as a salve
2. Decoct plant in water & use as a hot compress locally.

 Aerial parts Z
Dermatological

Skin fungi, acne & scabies

 Anti-acne, Anti-fungal, Scabicide

Apply milky juice of the plant to skin.

 Latex Z
Dermatological

Warts

 Anti-Infective

Grind leaves & aerial parts & apply as poultice to affected area.

Aerial parts B
Gastrointestinal

Haemorrhoids

 Anti-haemorrhoidal

Grind leaves & aerial parts & apply as poultice to affected area.

Aerial parts B
Mental health

Madness or black bile [/depression]

Anti-depressant, Anti-psychotic

Hang leaves on the patient as a good luck charm.

Leaf Z
Oral Health

Toothache

Analgesic

1.Cook raw leaves & rinse mouth out with the water.
2.Chew raw leaves.

Leaf Z
Ritual /Ceremonial

Against the evil eye

 Ritual

Hang leaves on the patient as a good luck charm.

Leaf Z

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Lactuca genus has some species which may contain sesquiterpenelactone which is allergenic. Contraindicated in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) & glaucoma. Overdose can cause depressed respiration, dizziness, mydriasis, stupor, tachycardia, tinnitus & death. Grazing on immature wild lettuce by cattle & sheep etc. can cause sickness.