WILD LETTUCE HERBS Wild Lettuce (Lactuca Virosa), is also known as "prickly lettuce" or "lettuce-opium". It is found growing in Central and Southern Europe and Northern Asia. Wild Lettuce is used as a sedative and analgesic. Its effects are similar to that of opium, but without the side effects. It is a valuable remedy for use in insomnia, restlessness and excitability. It has also been used as an aphrodisiac.