We all know how debilitating severe pain can be under normal circumstances, let alone during a survival situation. It is also becoming increasingly difficult to plan ahead and obtain prescription pain medication in order to build up a stockpile for a rainy day. Consequently, more and more people are turning to natural alternatives for pain relief when they can’t get to a doctor when they’re hurting. One plant in particular may be worth investigating as it is considered by many to be a time-honored and highly-effective natural alternative.
Opium Lettuce
Lactuca Virosa is the name of a straggly, leafy plant that produces yellow buds that look similar to dandelion flowers. It is found throughout North America, the British Isles and parts of Europe, and it is a very resilient plant that is also easy to grow. A white milky substance can be found in the stems and ribs of the leaves, and the compounds in this liquid are thought to produce opium-like effects. However, it’s worth mentioning that there is no trace of actual opium in these plants.
Some similarities include its ability to dull the sensation of pain while producing a mild, euphoric effect that can last for hours. The general consensus is that the effects are not nearly as potent as prescription pain killers, but many people are able to achieve significant relief after taking remedies derived from the milk.
Additional Benefits
Aside from being a painkiller, opium lettuce can help those who suffer from anxiety, insomnia, bouts with migraines, arthritis and respiratory ailments. It is also a natural cough suppressant that is considered to be much safer than many over the counter or prescription medications. Finally, those who are suffering from opiate withdrawal have also reported having fewer and less-severe symptoms if they are enjoying the medicinal benefits of this plant.
Common Remedies
There are a number of ways to extract the benefits of opium lettuce, and you may want to try a few different options until you find the one that works best for you. Some drink the milk straight from the plant after swishing it around their mouths for a few seconds. Others chew on the stems and leaves and slowly swallow the juices. However, the plant has a strong and bitter taste that may be difficult for many to tolerate.
One gentler alternative is to chop up the stems and leaves before steeping the pieces in hot water in order to make a tea. Another time-honored method of preparation is to cook the entire plant in a pan with a little bit of water. Add about ½ to 1 cup of sugar and stir until the crystals have dissolved. The plant releases its milk and other medicinal compounds as it becomes saturated and starts to wilt. Keep cooking and stirring until the liquid thickens and develops the consistency of a light to medium syrup. Drain the liquid and let it cool before drinking.
Finally, people have been known to dry the leaves and stems, break them up and then smoke them. While this may not be the safest way to ingest the medicine, it has been known to produce a mild, sedative effect.
There are also a lot of places where you can buy dried leaves in herbal form as well as extracts and tinctures. Consequently, if you can’t grow your own plants, it’s pretty easy to obtain them from a commercial supplier.
Take a closer look at opium lettuce, and consider trying this remedy out the next time you’re suffering from one of the ailments listed above. You can never have too many natural or herbal remedies at your disposal, and this one may be just what you need in order to enjoy safe pain relief.
