Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) as an anxiolytic Treatment

Lactuca sativa is a culinary form of lettuce that belongs to the Asteraceae (daisey) family of plants. The plant is often grown as a vegetable for use in salads and is completely non-toxic. Medicinally the plant has a number of uses, and these stem from its anti-inflammatory effect. These effects, for example, allow lettuce to effectively treat a number of gastrointestinal problems. In terms of mental health, Lactuca sativa is known to affect the central nervous system and this may explain its mood elevating effects. For example, in one study dried extract from Lactuca sativa were administered to mice orally and the animals were exposed to a number of experimental stressors that were designed to cause behavioural changes relating to mood. The results of the experiment showed that lettuce treated animals exhibited significantly less anxious behaviour compared to controls and that this anxiolytic effect became greater between 15 and 30 days of treatment. Lettuce may therefore possess anxiolytic effects in animals. 

lactuca sativa anxiety depression mood

Lactuca sativa contains a latex within its tissues that has been analysed for its chemical composition. In this regard a number of potentially therapeutic phytochemicals have been identified including 15 oxalyl- and 8 sulfate- conjugates of the guaianolide sesquiterpene lactones, lactucin, deoxylactucin and lactucopicrin. In addition, extracts of the plant also contain polyphenols including chlorogenic acid, vanillin, epicatechin, caffeic acid, rutin hydrate, sinapic acid, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, p-coumaric acid and quercetin. These polyphenols may confer significant antioxidant effects to the consumer.

Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself

RdB

Harsha, S. N. and Anilakumar, K. R. 2013. Anxiolytic property of Lactuca sativa, effect on anxiety behaviour induced by novel food and height. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine. 532-536

About Robert Barrington

Robert Barrington is a writer, nutritionist, lecturer and philosopher.
This entry was posted in Anxiety, Depression, Lettuce, Mood. Bookmark the permalink.