quote:This is yoga deep breathing,anexcellent breathing practice that I use also to divert any negativities that arise in my mind.Chickenman your'e on the right track.Originally posted by ChickenManquote:Originally posted by buckhenryWhen I focus on my breath I cant dwell on wondering thoughts. The thoughts always return, but that's my cue to re-focus on the breath. I also do this when on my daily walk. There are many aspects to the breath to focus on.I do this during my waking hours to quiet the never ending stream of music in my head. It's less effective at bedtime for some reason. Probably because much of my practice time is in the evenings and I like to let that linger so it sinks in

I have a slightly off-center follow up... I found a weed in the garden. A sneaky rascal because it is biennial and this is its second year. And I never noticed it. What does this have to do with insomnia? It is wild lettuce - specifically "Lactuca canadensis", commonly known as Canada wild lettuce or Canada lettuce. It is native to almost all of the US. And yes, it is considered to be a weed by most.

BUT - a herbalist will tell you that this is no ordinary weed. When handled / processed right it has some very interesting qualities as a sleep aid (sedative) and pain killer. Has anyone had any experience with this?

I'll see my Primary Care Physician tomorrow morning. I'll be talking to him about this and the CBD. MS doesn't allow most of the CBD that is sold online to be purchased in MS without a script. (BTW - the extract for wild lettuce can be bought (expensive), and it is perfectly legal to cultivate and use).

I'm hopeful

Prayers going out to you Tony.
I know sleep deprivation is a form of torture.
BTW - 6 years retired, I still have problem solver/troubleshooter dreams. I embrace it. Don't know if it's right or wrong?

Tony, is that the plant sometimes referred to as "mountain opium?" Its been discussed around here lately.

Based on this Wikipedia about Canadian Wild Lettuce, it has the same sort of properties due to its milky sap (lactucarium), or it is the sap, not sure which as this is the only reference to lettuce-opium in the article. The elongated variety is the one called Canadian wild lettuce.

"Although the standard definition of lactucarium requires its production from Lactuca virosa, it was recognized that smaller quantities of lactucarium could be produced in a similar way from Lactuca sativa and Lactuca canadensis var. elongata, and even that lettuce-opium obtained from Lactuca serriola or Lactuca quercina was of superior quality."

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Originally posted by DougD

Tony, is that the plant sometimes referred to as "mountain opium?" Its been discussed around here lately.

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I've heard a similar "folk name" given to it - "opium lettuce". But that is a misnomer - it does not have any opioids.  It might be the same, but I missed the conversation so I don't really know.

Where was it at?  I'd like to read through it. Thanks.

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Originally posted by ChickenMan

Based on this Wikipedia about Canadian Wild Lettuce, it has the same sort of properties due to its milky sap (lactucarium), or it is the sap, not sure which as this is the only reference to lettuce-opium in the article. The elongated variety is the one called Canadian wild lettuce.

"Although the standard definition of lactucarium requires its production from Lactuca virosa, it was recognized that smaller quantities of lactucarium could be produced in a similar way from Lactuca sativa and Lactuca canadensis var. elongata, and even that lettuce-opium obtained from Lactuca serriola or Lactuca quercina was of superior quality."

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Yes, that's it. I've watched SEVERAL video's now, read a number of articles (med sites), and carried on an extended conversation with "Copilot" to run through different ideas - to see how they would be evaluated.  What I have learned is very promising. Everything from teas to tinctures, and more. Most of it is very easy to process.  Very interesting - and legal. From what I have read and heard - there are a only a few dangers to be aware of - but generally speaking, it is safe / especially if you aren't experimenting with it as a recreational drug (as in over consumption). 

I'm actually planning to cultivate a different variety of the "weed". The Doc may tell why I shouldn't mess with it. I'll listen.

Tony, I meant literally talked about in our household. We have several thistly things sprouting up this year, and Pam seemed to have some folk knowledge of this one.
Here's a handy site for "weed" identification, but it doesn't say anything about uses or effects. weedid.cals.vt.edu/profile/124

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Originally posted by DougD

Tony, I meant literally talked about in our household. We have several thistly things sprouting up this year, and Pam seemed to have some folk knowledge of this one.
Here's a handy site for "weed" identification, but it doesn't say anything about uses or effects. weedid.cals.vt.edu/profile/124

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LOL.    ...don't I feel silly.  

Yes, that is the plant I'm talking about. That is the variety growing in the garden. I identified it wih google plant id - take a picture on your phone using google and it will match it with a photo data base and give a percentage of confidence on what they've identify (along with other possibilities). This had 90% accuracy. I'm confident with that identification - based on how it is shown and described in YouTube videos. 

I'm in the process of cultivating a different variety: "Lactuca virsoa".  If you've talked about it, then you probably have a good idea about how it would be processed and what it is used for.  I'd like to hear from you - if you guys take steps in that direction. 

Doctor said try the Wild Lettuce. And I got a plan. Here we go.

Sounds like you're growing the plant where the original lactucarium naming came from (Wikipedia). I'll need to do some studying for the next time I'm out foraging.

LOL... you can't make this stuff up (as Lee would say)...

As I'm leaving a 'fast food" close to the house - I'm looking straight across the street at an empty field directly where there is a 6 foot tall weed that looks a whole lot like the one growing in my garden. I go down the street - uturn so I can pull up on the other side - em flashers on - and I'm taking plant-id pic on the phone. Positive - it is the same canadian wild lettuce. Then I look around and there are several others. I pulled up 5 - through them in the back of the truck. I looked again - oh my - there is a lot more. I won't be greedy - I don't need that much. But I know where they are.

I know what to look for now - and even later - on a drive back from groceries - yeap - there's another on the side of the road in an overgrown easement.

I find that interesting and fascinating. Interesting that I've never known about it - and now that I do -I see it everywhere. Fascinating - that it is not better known. But then again - that may say something about how effective it is. We'll see. Cautiously optimistic.

It is tincture making time.

I thought ihad a patch. But I remember it flowers pink, then turns into goat whiskers. Gonna try that Google plant i.d.

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Originally posted by farmerjones

I thought ihad a patch. But I remember it flowers pink, then turns into goat whiskers. Gonna try that Google plant i.d.

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"Among the Lactuca species, pink flowers are not typical. Most wild lettuces—like Lactuca canadensis, L. virosa, L. serriola, and L. quercina—produce pale yellow, bluish, or occasionally whitish blooms. There’s no well-documented Lactuca variety with naturally pink flowers in the wild or in cultivation."

...according to Copilot.

The google plant id is very convenient and fairly accurate. There has been a few times when the id was questionable - but not often.

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Originally posted by ChickenMan

Sounds like you're growing the plant where the original lactucarium naming came from (Wikipedia). I'll need to do some studying for the next time I'm out foraging.

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I have read that the can spread quickly in the wild (invasive). The trick is to harvest them before they flower for the most potent and best quality "product" - (whatever you are wanting to do with it). The seeds are spread like dandelion seeds - airborne.  

Oof, airborne seeds are a clever design.

Touche, Mother Nature, touche.

Goat whiskers does soundsl like dandelion styled seeds. 

My wife has respiratory problems and skeletal problems. My Grandson gave her a CBD.
It provided more relief and fewer side affects than prescribed medications. I think the reason it is not as common is the same reason as we cannot buy a cheap EV car. It posses a threat as an alternative to a more expensive commodity. $$$$$$.

Back from a trip to Alaska. We stayed with a friend who is "in the business" - legally - of selling THC (in all of its forms). He "treated" us to some of their products. I'm convinced (again) that it is a good product as a sleep aids and relaxation. Nope, didn't bring any home. Not legal in MS.

...and we're about 2 weeks away from having our first wild lettuce tincture ready for sampling.