lactuca sativa l

7/30/2019 Lactuca Sativa L

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Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a profe using a plant medicinally.

Anaphrodisiac ; Anodyne ; Antispasmodic ; Carminative ; Diuretic ; Emollient ; Expectorant ; Febrifuge ; Galactogogue ; HNarcotic ; Parasiticide ; Parasiticide ; Sedative .

The whole plant is rich in a milky sap that flows freely from any wounds. This hardens and dries when in contact with the air[4]. Th'lactucarium', which is used in medicine for its anodyne, antispasmodic, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, narcotic and sedative properti192, 213, 238]. Lactucarium has the effects of a feeble opium, but without its tendency to cause digestive upsets[4], nor is it addictiinternally in the treatment of insomnia, anxiety, neuroses, hyperactivity in children, dry coughs, whooping cough, rheumatic pain etConcentrations of lactucarium are low in young plants and most concentrated when the plant comes into flower[238]. It is collectedcutting the heads of the plants and scraping the juice into china vessels several times a day until the plant is exhausted[4]. The cultdoes not contain as much lactucarium as the wild species, most being produced when the plant is in flower[4]. An infusion of the fr flowering plant can also be used[9]. The plant should be used with caution, and never without the supervision of a skilled practitiondoses can cause drowsiness whilst excess causes restlessness[238] and overdoses can cause death through cardiac paralysis[7,physicians believe that any effects of this medicine are caused by the mind of the patient rather than by the medicine[213]. The saapplied externally in the treatment of warts[222]. The seed is anodyne and galactogogue[218]. Lettuce has acquired a folk reputatianaphrodisiac, anodyne, carminative, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, hypoglycaemic, hypnotic, narcotic, parasiticide and sedative[21

Other UsesHair ; Oil; Parasiticide ; Parasiticide .

Parasiticide[178]. No further details are given, but it is probably the sap of flowering plants that is used. The seed is said to be usehair grow on scar tissue[218].

Cultivation details

Prefers a light sandy loam[1]. Succeeds in most well-drained, humus-rich soils but dislikes acid conditions[1, 16]. Plants strongly diconditions, quickly running to seed in such a situation. Early and late sowings are best in a sunny position, but summer crops are ba position with some shade in order to slow down the plants tendency to go to seed and to prevent the leaves becoming bitter[18,garden lettuce is widely cultivated in many parts of the world for its edible leaves and is probably the most commonly grown saladThere are many named varieties[183] capable of providing fresh leaves throughout the year if winter protection is given in temperaOver the centuries a number of more or less distinct forms have arisen in cultivation. These forms have been classified as follows.treated separately in more detail:- L. sativa angustana. L.H.Bailey. is the Celtuce. The leaves of this form are not of such good qualother lettuces and the plant is grown more for i ts thick central stem which is used in the same ways as celery[1]. L. sativa capitata.heading lettuce, it forms a heart in a similar way to cabbages. Examples of this include the Iceberg and Butterhead lettuces. L. satiL. is the curled or leaf lettuce. This does not form a central heart but produces a loose rosette of basal leaves. It can be harvestedand come again basis. L. sativa longifolia Lam. is the cos lettuce. This has longer, thinner leaves and a more erect habit, i t does ncompact heart. Lettuces are quite a problematic crop to grow. They require quite a lot of attention to protect them from pests suchaphids and birds. If the weather is hot and dry the plants tend to run very quickly to seed, developing a bitter flavour as they do so.weather they are likely to develop fungal diseases. In addition, the seed needs to be sown at regular intervals of 2- 3 weeks duringgrowing season in order to provide a regular supply of leaves. Lettuces make a good companion plant for strawberries, carrots, raand onions[18, 20, 201]. They also grow well with cucumbers, cabbages and beetroot[201].

Propagation

Seed - sow a small quantity of seed in situ every 2 or 3 weeks from March (with protection in cooler areas) to June and make anotsowing in August/September for a winter/spring crop. Only just cover the seed. Germination is usually rapid and good, thin the plannecessary, these thinnings can be transplanted to produce a slightly later crop (but they will need to be well watered in dry weathecertain winter crops can be obtained by sowing in a frame in September/October and again in January/February.

Description Lettuce is a cool season annual with milky sap and glabrous (hairless) leaves that grow in a basalrosette at first, then either in a loose or a tightly rolled head, and eventually along an upright stemthat supports the flowers. The dandelion-like flowerheads are pale yellow, less than 0.5 in (1.3cm) across, and borne in dense clusters above the leaves on an erect branching stem. Lettuce is acomposite, but it has only ray flowers.
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There are five main classes of lettuce. The crisp head or cabbage lettuces are the most popularlettuces in American supermarkets and restaurants. There are hundreds of cultivars, some of which form heads no larger than a tennis ball ('Tom Thumb', 'Mini Green') and are well suited forthe home garden. Some are red ('Rosa', 'Rosy'). Typical "iceberg" type heading lettuces are'Ithaca', the most widely grown commercial lettuce in the eastern US; 'New York', an old

standard; and 'Great Lakes', a very dependable and adaptable variety that was named an AllAmerican Selection in 1944.

The butterhead or bibb lettuces have small,roundish heads with loosely packed leaves thatare thick and succulent. Among hundreds of cultivars are 'Buttercrunch', an All AmericanSelection, and an excellent lettuce for the homegarden; 'Bibb', an early season type often grownin greenhouses for market; and 'Perella Red', oneof the hardiest lettuces, tolerating temperatures toat least 4F (-15.6C).

The cos or romaine lettuces have long, broad,upright leaves that form loose heads. They takelonger to mature and are more heat tolerant thanother kinds of lettuce. The many cultivars include'Parris Island', developed for the SE US, which isa very uniform lettuce now widely grown

commercially and in the home garden; and 'Valmaine', which is larger, more heat tolerant, andhas a slightly more open head than 'Parris Island'.

The curled or loose leaf lettuces are non-heading typeswith loose rosettes of crinkled leaves. These are the easiestto grow and the most popular with the home gardener.Popular cultivars include 'Black Seeded Simpson',introduced prior to 1888, and still the most popular cultivarfor the fresh market and the home garden. It is a largeupright lettuce, tolerant of hot weather, and very adaptable.'Ibis' is a beautiful loose leaf lettuce with broad, uprightburgundy leaves and a tolerance for cold and heat. 'RedOak Leaf' has lobed leaves, variegated with red, purple andgreen depending on growing conditions. 'Red Sails' hasfringed leaves variegated with green and maroon. It is non-bitter and has much more vitamin A and vitamin C thanother lettuces and was an All American Selection in 1985.

'Buttercrunch' lettuce is sweet and succulent and perfect for sandwiches.

The red leaves of 'Ibis' lettuce brighten up winter salads.


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Celtuce (a.k.a. stem lettuce, asparagus lettuce,and Chinese lettuce) is very popular in China butrarely seen in the US. Celtuce has leaves about 6-10 in (15.2-25.4 cm) long and 3-7 in (7.6-17.8cm) wide that look like and are used like leaf

lettuce. But as the plant matures, it develops athick, to 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter, elongate stemthat is juicy and crisp. When peeled and eatenraw, the stem tastes like the heart of lettuce or, assome claim, a combination of artichoke,asparagus and yellow squash. Cornucopia II listsonly four cultivars of celtuce available in the US.(The name, celtuce, was coined by an Americanseed company in 1942 to convey the image of alettuce and celery combination.)

Location Lettuce is not known in the wild. The progenitor of the many forms of garden lettuce wasprobably Lactuca serriola , a common weed that grows in waste places, fields and clearings inEurope, northern Asia and North Africa. The Europeans have developed a great many lettuces of the romaine and loose leaf types. Most of the crisp head lettuces were developed in the US towithstand transport from fields in California to markets in the east. In China, the stem lettuces arethe most popular, grown and sold everywhere.

Culture Light: Lettuce does best in full sun to partial shade. The red forms will attain the deepest colorsin full sun. As temperatures rise, shade becomes more important.

Moisture: Regular garden watering will keep lettuce growing happily.Hardiness: Lettuce can withstand light frosts. Lettuce is planted in the winter in USDA zones 8-10, and in the spring up north. Gardeners in zones 6-8A can plant in spring and again in fall.Propagation: Seeds are sown in rows or strips and hardly buried at all. Lettuce seed generallywill not germinate with soil temperatures above75 or 80F.

Celtuce is a type of lettuce grown for its stem, which tastes like theheart of Iceberg lettuce.

Ceasar salad, invented by Tijuana chef Caesar Cardini in 1924,originally included only garlic, olive oil, croutons, parmesan cheese,

Worcestershire sauce and romaine lettuce like that growing in


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Usage Many of the red and purple lettuces makeexcellent borders around cool season flower beds. These are also effective in cool weather livecontainer arrangements along with pansies, petunias and snapdragons.

Celtuce deserves to be grown in more home vegetable gardens. The leaves can be used in saladsand sandwiches in place of other lettuces. The peeled stems have a refreshing crunchy texture andcan be added to salads, eaten out of hand, stir fried, or baked or boiled quickly and served with acream or cheese sauce. The Chinese also pickle celtuce and use it in soups.

Honeymooners usually request their own salad: lettuce alone.

Features Most lettuces are relatively low in nutrients. Modern plant breeders are developing varieties thathave more vitamins and minerals, but in general, we eat lettuce for its crisp clean sweetness andcrunchy texture.

It is claimed that lettuce is an excellent remedyfor acid indigestion and "heartburn." The bitter,milky latex sap is a mild narcotic and sleepinducer. The early Romans ate lettuce at the endof meals to aid digestion and induce sleep. Later,with the development of lettuce varietiescontaining less of the bitter, soporific sap, theyate lettuce at the beginning of the meal to whetthe appetite. The European prickly lettuce

( Lactuca serriola ) contains considerably more of the milky, narcotic juice and has severalmedicinal and herbal uses. The sap is sometimesdried and used to adulterate opium. American

wild lettuce ( L. canadensis ), a common weed throughout much of North America, is usually toobitter to eat, but was used extensively by Native Americans as a sedative and for pain relief.

Steve 's North Florida garden.

The colorful 'Redina' variety is one o f Steve 's newest favoritelettuce .
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lactuca sativa l

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