Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Wild Lettuce vs Passionflower
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Wild Lettuce and Passionflower: they share 4 indicated uses (anxiety, insomnia / sleeplessness, nervous tension, …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Wild Lettuce | Passionflower | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety | 1/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Passionflower |
| Insomnia / sleeplessness | 2/10 | 9/10 | Stronger for Passionflower |
| Nervous tension | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Passionflower |
| Stress | 1/10 | 7/10 | Stronger for Passionflower |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
Bitter, centrally-active constituents responsible for the sedative and pain-relieving effects; isolated lactucin and lactucopicrin produced analgesia comparable to ibuprofen and sedation in rodent tests.
The historical medicinal preparation, concentrating the active lactones.
Pharmacological Actions
Mild analgesic / anodyne for pain (lactucin and lactucopicrin act on the central nervous system) - in mice these compounds produced analgesia comparable to ibuprofen
Calming for nervous tension and restlessness
Traditional & Indicated Uses
Antitussive for an irritable, dry cough (traditional)
Sedative for sleeplessness / insomnia - lactucin and lactucopicrin showed sedative activity in animal models
Calming for nervous tension and restlessness
Mild analgesic / anodyne for pain (lactucin and lactucopicrin act on the central nervous system) - in mice these compounds produced analgesia comparable to ibuprofen
Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (reduces anxiety in clinical trials); Reduces preoperative / situational anxiety without sedation or psychomotor impairment (RCT in ambulatory surgery patients)
Sleep support for insomnia - improves subjective sleep quality and, on polysomnography, increases total sleep time
Anxiolytic for anxiety and nervous tension (reduces anxiety in clinical trials)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Can be unsafe in large amounts or if harvested too early: overdose can cause sweating, fast heartbeat, dilated pupils, dizziness, ringing in the ears, vision changes, heavy sedation, breathing difficulty and, in extreme cases, death.
Generally well tolerated, with no serious adverse effects reported in trials. Its sedative effect can add to that of alcohol, sedatives and sleep medicines, so avoid combining and do not use before driving.
Use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Tall, bristly biennial herb with a milky latex throughout, and prickly-edged, often blue-green leaves that tend to twist to align edge-on with the sun ('compass plant' habit). Small, pale yellow, dandelion-like flower heads are borne in loose branched clusters atop a tall, spiny-stemmed flowering stalk.[11]
Fast-growing, climbing or trailing perennial vine (Passifloraceae) that climbs by axillary tendrils, reaching several metres. Leaves are alternate and deeply 3-lobed. The large, intricate flowers have a fringed corona of lavender-white filaments around a central structure whose parts were likened by early missionaries to instruments of the Passion of Christ, giving the plant its name. The fruit is an edible, egg-shaped, yellow-orange berry known as a 'maypop'.[12]
Habitat
Grows on dry waste ground, roadsides, hedgerows and disturbed soil; native to Europe, North Africa and Western Asia and naturalised in North America.
Native to the south-eastern United States, growing in thickets, fencerows, roadsides and disturbed sunny ground; widely cultivated and naturalised as an ornamental and medicinal crop elsewhere in warm-temperate and subtropical regions.[12]
Harvesting
The milky latex is traditionally collected by scoring the flowering stem and letting the exuded sap dry into lactucarium; the aerial parts (leaf and stem) are also cut and dried while the plant is flowering.[11]
The flowering and fruiting aerial parts (herb) are cut during the growing season, typically as flowering begins, and dried for use.[12]
Traditional Uses
Wild lettuce has a long folk history, reflected in the name 'opium lettuce', as a mild sedative and analgesic remedy for insomnia, nervous tension and pain, and as an antitussive for irritable dry cough, its dried latex (lactucarium) once used as a milder, non-addictive alternative to opium.[11]
Passionflower has a traditional use, recognised by European regulatory herbal monographs, as a mild sedative and anxiolytic for nervous tension, mild anxiety and difficulty sleeping. Modern clinical trials support anxiolytic and sleep-supporting effects, including reduced preoperative anxiety without sedation or psychomotor impairment.[1, 12]
Preparations
Dosage
Because of documented overdose toxicity (rapid heartbeat, heavy sedation, breathing difficulty), only conservative traditional herbal doses should be used and this herb should not be self-dosed at concentrated or extract strength without professional guidance. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
EMA herbal-monograph guidance suggests around 0.5-2 g dried herb per cup as an infusion, up to several times daily, or an equivalent liquid/dry extract. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Drug Class Interactions
Lookalikes Review
References & Sources
- Ullah, M.I., Anwar, R., Kamran, S., Gul, B. et al (2022) 'Evaluation of the Anxiolytic and Anti-Epileptogenic Potential of Lactuca serriola Seed Using Pentylenetetrazol-Induced Kindling in Mice and Metabolic Profiling of Its Bioactive Extract', Antioxidants (Basel), 11(11), pp. 2232. doi:10.3390/antiox11112232 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11112232 - Lee, M., Park, J., Cho, W., Jun, Y. et al (2024) 'Lactuca L. Extract Enhances Sleep Duration Through Upregulation of Adenosine A1 Receptor and GABA-A Receptor Subunits in Pentobarbital-Injected Mice', Journal of Medicinal Food, 27(7), pp. 661-668. doi:10.1089/jmf.2023.K.0250 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2023.K.0250 - Paulsen, E. and Andersen, K.E (2015) 'Lettuce contact allergy', Contact Dermatitis, 74(2), pp. 67-75. doi:10.1111/cod.12458 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.12458 - Wesolowska, A., Nikiforuk, A., Michalska, K., Kisiel, W. and Chojnacka-Wojcik, E (2006) 'Analgesic and sedative activities of lactucin and some lactucin-like guaianolides in mice', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 107(2), pp. 254--258. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.003 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.003 - Gumprecht, T (1815) 'On the use of the Lactuca Virosa, in Hooping-Cough', Medico-Chirurgical Transactions, 6, pp. 608-617. doi:10.1177/095952871500600125 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1177/095952871500600125 - Trojanowska, A (2005) 'Lettuce, Lactuca sp., as a medicinal plant in Polish publications of the 19th century', Kwartalnik Historii Nauki i Techniki, 50(3-4), pp. 123-134. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Lettuce%2C%20Lactuca%20sp.%2C%20as%20a%20medicinal%20plant%20in%20Polish%20publications%20of%20the%2019th%20century - Spadari, M., Pommier, P., Canioni, D., Arditti, J., David, J.M. and Valli, M (2003) 'Abuse of Lactuca virosa', Presse Medicale, 32(15), pp. 702-703. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Abuse%20of%20Lactuca%20virosa - Lo Faro, A.F., Di Trana, A., La Maida, N., Tagliabracci, A., Giorgetti, R. and Busardo, F.P (2019) 'Biomedical analysis of New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) of natural origin', Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 179, pp. 112945. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112945 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2019.112945 - Besharat, S., Besharat, M. and Jabbari, A (2009) 'Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa) toxicity', BMJ Case Reports, 2009, pp. bcr0620080134. doi:10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0134 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr.06.2008.0134 - Stojakowska, A., Malarz, J. and Kisiel, W (1994) 'Sesquiterpene Lactones in Tissue Culture of Lactuca virosa', Planta Medica, 60(1), pp. 93-94. doi:10.1055/s-2006-959419 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-959419 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Wild Lettuce (Lactuca virosa): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/wild-lettuce/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/wild-lettuce/ - RxList (n.d.) 'Wild Lettuce: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions'. Available at: https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/wild_lettuce.htm Traditional / reference
https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/wild_lettuce.htm - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003
- Janda, K., Wojtkowska, K., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J. and Skonieczna-Zydecka, K (2020) 'Passiflora incarnata in Neuropsychiatric Disorders - A Systematic Review', Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu12123894 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123894 - Harit, M.K., Mundhe, N., Tamoli, S., Pawar, V., Bhapkar, V., Kolhe, G., Mahadik, S., Kulkarni, A. and Agarwal, A (2024) 'Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of Passiflora incarnata in Participants With Stress and Sleep Problems', Cureus, 16(3), pp. e56530. doi:10.7759/cureus.56530 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.56530 - Lee, J., Jung, H.Y., Lee, S.I., Choi, J.H. and Kim, S.G (2020) 'Effects of Passiflora incarnata Linnaeus on polysomnographic sleep parameters in subjects with insomnia disorder: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study', International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35(1), pp. 29--35. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000291 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1097/YIC.0000000000000291 - Ngan, A. and Conduit, R (2011) 'A double-blind, placebo-controlled investigation of the effects of Passiflora incarnata (passionflower) herbal tea on subjective sleep quality', Phytotherapy Research, 25(8), pp. 1153--1159. doi:10.1002/ptr.3400 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3400 - Miroddi, M., Calapai, G., Navarra, M., Minciullo, P.L. and Gangemi, S (2013) 'Passiflora incarnata L.: ethnopharmacology, clinical application, safety and evaluation of clinical trials', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 150(3), pp. 791-804. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.047 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.09.047 - Krenn, L (2002) 'Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata L.) - a reliable herbal sedative', Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 152(15-16), pp. 404-406. doi:10.1046/j.1563-258x.2002.02062.x Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1563-258x.2002.02062.x - Dhawan, K., Kumar, S. and Sharma, A (2001) 'Anti-anxiety studies on extracts of Passiflora incarnata Linneaus', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 78(2-3), pp. 165-170. doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(01)00339-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-8741(01)00339-7 - Aslanargun, P., Cuvas, O., Dikmen, B., Aslan, E. and Yuksel, M.U (2011) 'Passiflora incarnata Linneaus as an anxiolytic before spinal anesthesia', Journal of Anesthesia, 26(1), pp. 39-44. doi:10.1007/s00540-011-1265-6 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-011-1265-6 - Dhawan, K., Kumar, S. and Sharma, A (2001) 'Anxiolytic activity of aerial and underground parts of Passiflora incarnata', Fitoterapia, 72(8), pp. 922-926. doi:10.1016/s0367-326x(01)00322-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0367-326x(01)00322-7 - Movafegh, A., Alizadeh, R., Hajimohamadi, F., Esfehani, F. and Nejatfar, M (2008) 'Preoperative oral Passiflora incarnata reduces anxiety in ambulatory surgery patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study', Anesthesia and Analgesia, 106(6), pp. 1728--1732. doi:10.1213/ane.0b013e318172c3f9 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1213/ane.0b013e318172c3f9 - Grundmann, O., Wang, J., McGregor, G.P. and Butterweck, V (2008) 'Anxiolytic activity of a phytochemically characterized Passiflora incarnata extract is mediated via the GABAergic system', Planta Medica, 74(15), pp. 1769-1773. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1088322 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1088322 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (n.d.) 'European Union herbal monograph on Passiflora incarnata L., herba (Passiflorae herba)'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/passiflorae-herba Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/passiflorae-herba - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Janda, K., Wojtkowska, K., Jakubczyk, K., Antoniewicz, J. and Skonieczna-Zydecka, K (2020) 'Passiflora incarnata in neuropsychiatric disorders: a systematic review', Nutrients, 12(12), pp. 3894. doi:10.3390/nu12123894 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12123894
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.