Lactuca virosa. Lactuca virosa is a plant in the Lactuca (lettuce) genus, ingested often for its mild psychotropic (specifically hypnotic or sedative) effects which are often described as being similar to that of opium.[1] It is related to common lettuce (L. sativa), and is often called Wild Lettuce, Bitter lettuce, Laitue vireuse, Opium Lettuce, Poisonous Lettuce, Tall Lettuce or Rakutu-Karyumu-So. It can be found locally in the south east and east of England. In the rest of Great Britain it is very rare, and in Ireland it is absent.
It is also found in the Punjab Region of Pakistan India and Australia where it grows in the wild. In North America, it has been documented as introduced in California, Alabama, Iowa, and Washington, DC, and grows wild in other parts of the continent.[2] Description[edit] It is biennial, similar to prickly lettuce Lactuca serriola but taller - it can grow to 200 cm. It flowers from July until September.[3] History[edit] Pharmacology[edit] References[edit] General references[edit] Tagetes lucida. Tagetes lucida - MHNT Tagetes lucida Cav. is a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America. It is used as a medicinal plant and as a culinary herb. The leaves have a tarragon-like flavor, with hints of anise, and it has entered the nursery trade in North America as a tarragon substitute. Common names include yerbaniz, Mexican marigold, pericón, Mexican mint marigold, Mexican tarragon, Spanish tarragon, Cempaxóchitl and Texas tarragon.
Description[edit] Tagetes lucida Cav. grows 18-30 in (46–76 cm) tall. Uses[edit] Fresh or dried leaves are used as a tarragon substitute for flavoring soups, sauces etc. A pleasant anise-flavored tea is brewed using the dried leaves and flowering tops. A yellow dye can be obtained from the flowers. The dried plant is burnt as an incense and to repel insects.[3] In one study, methanolic extract from the flower inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Candida albicans cultures. Phytochemistry[edit] The plant contains the following compounds:
Artemisia vulgaris. It is a tall herbaceous perennial plant growing 1–2 m (rarely 2.5 m) tall, with a woody root. The leaves are 5–20 cm long, dark green, pinnate, with dense white tomentose hairs on the underside. The erect stem often has a red-purplish tinge. The rather small flowers (5 mm long) are radially symmetrical with many yellow or dark red petals.
The narrow and numerous capitula (flower heads) spread out in racemose panicles. It flowers from July to September. A number of species of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) feed on the leaves and flowers; see List of Lepidoptera that feed on Artemisia for details. References[edit] External links[edit] Artemisia absinthium. Description[edit] It grows naturally on uncultivated, arid ground, on rocky slopes, and at the edge of footpaths and fields. Toxicity[edit] Artemisia absinthium contains thujone, a psychoactive chemical that can cause epileptic-like convulsions and kidney failure when ingested in large amounts.[4] Cultivation[edit] Artemisia absinthium. This plant,[6] and its cultivars 'Lambrook Mist'[6] and 'Lambrook Silver'[7] have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Uses[edit] It is an ingredient in the spirit absinthe, and is used for flavouring in some other spirits and wines, including bitters, vermouth and pelinkovac. Wormwood is the traditional colour and flavour agent for green songpyeon, a type of rice cake eaten during the Korean thanksgiving festival of Chuseok in the autumn. Etymology[edit] The word "wormwood" comes from Middle English wormwode or wermode.
Cultural history[edit] References[edit] External links[edit] The-absinthe-drinker-viktor-oliva-1861-1928.jpg (JPEG Image, 636x480 pixels) Tansy. Illustration of a tansy Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant of the aster family, native to temperate Europe and Asia. It has been introduced to other parts of the world and in some areas has become invasive. It is also known as Common Tansy, Bitter Buttons, Cow Bitter, Mugwort, or Golden Buttons. Description[edit] Idaho tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) essential oil in a clear glass vial Tansy is a flowering herbaceous plant with finely divided compound leaves and yellow, button-like flowers.
History and distribution[edit] Tansy is native to Eurasia; it is found in almost all parts of mainland Europe. History of uses[edit] Tansy has a long history of use. Insect repellent[edit] Organic insecticide[edit] Tansy can be used as in companion planting, and for biological pest control in organic gardens and sustainable agriculture. Toxicity[edit] Tansy flower - detail. Culinary uses[edit] Tansy foil According to liquor historian A. Ethnomedical use[edit] Other uses[edit]
Calea zacatechichi. It is used in traditional medicine and ritual in its native range.[3] Uses[edit] In Mexico the plant is used as an herbal remedy for dysentery and fever.[3] The Zoque Popoluca people call the plant tam huñi ("bitter gum") and use it to treat diarrhea and asthma, and the Mixe people know it as poop taam ujts ("white bitter herb") and use it for stomachache and fever.[4] The Chontal people of Oaxaca reportedly use the plant, known locally as thle-pela-kano, during divination.
Isolated reports describe rituals that involve smoking a plant believed to be this species, drinking it as a tea, and placing it under a pillow to induce divinatory dreams. Chemical composition[edit] Cultivated specimen Chemical compounds isolated from this species include flavones[6] such as acacetin[7] and sesquiterpene lactones such as germacranolides.[8] The sesquiterpenes known as caleicines and caleochromenes may be active in its effects on sleep.[2] Law[edit] The plant is not a controlled substance in Australia.[9]