When scratched, the plant secretes a milky white substance known as lactucarium. When dried, this compound resembles opium, a pain-relieving agent extracted from unripe seedpods of the opium poppy.

Even worse, it contains a compound called lactucarium that can cause diarrhea and lethargy in large amounts. Both raw and cooked beans are a no-go. They’re packed with lectins, which are toxic ...

Explication... Dr Ir. De Maerteleire : « Lorsque la salade pousse et que l'on coupe la tige, il en sort un liquide laiteux (lactucarium) que l'on peut recueillir. La laitue vireuse (Lactuca virosa L.) ...

The ancient Egyptians purportedly possessed a book of love agents that contained recipes for aphrodisiacs, many of which may have been prepared made with the lactucarium of wild lettuce. The book is ...