Does Lettuce Water Really Help You Sleep?

There are lots of drinks to try before bed to help you relax and feel sleepy, including cherry juice and herbal teas. But now people are trying lettuce water…?

This unexpected recommendation has recently come to everyone’s attention through viral TikTok videos in which creators claim that drinking lettuce water will send you right to sleep:

@thecoreyb

Yo @Elliott Norris thanks for the hack!! #fyp

♬ original sound – Corey B

So, if you’ve never heard of this sleep hack before, then like us, you’ll be surprised to learn that lettuce has actually been considered a sleep aid for thousands of years! Let’s dig a little deeper.

Lettuce contains a compound called lactucarium, which is the milky substance that you sometimes see when you cut into it. Also called “lettuce opium“, it reportedly has pain-killing and sedative properties. Boiling lettuce in water may release calming compounds that, when consumed, help promote a relaxed state, ideal for falling asleep.

While the idea has historical roots and a plausible-sounding mechanism, the truth is, there’s currently no solid scientific research specifically proving that drinking boiled water from lettuce reliably helps humans sleep.

Most sleep experts and scientists haven’t seen compelling evidence from clinical trials on humans to back up the claims circulating online. The leap from “lettuce contains lactucarium” to “drinking this brew cures insomnia” is one that science hasn’t confirmed just yet.

There are no direct human studies on lettuce water, but research has examined lactucarium and related compounds, such as lactucin, found in certain lettuce extracts. Some studies, often conducted on animals (typically mice), suggest these compounds may have sedative properties, potentially helping with sleep onset or increasing sleep duration.

Much of the historical use, along with some scientific investigations, focuses on wild lettuce varieties, which tend to contain far higher levels of lactucarium than the Romaine or Iceberg lettuces you’d find at your local Aldi or Tesco. The scientific community is still working to replicate these findings in human studies, so it’s worth taking the reported benefits with a pinch of salt. It’s also important to note that these experiments used carefully measured doses of lettuce extract, not lettuce water, which may not have the same effects.

That said, with minimal risk involved, there’s little harm in trying it for yourself (we’ll delve into the potential risks of lettuce water later in the post). Eating lettuce itself does offer several science-backed benefits: it’s a good source of vitamins A and C, and it’s highly hydrating.

Generally, there are no reported side effects to cultivated lettuce water. The worst thing that might happen is nothing!

There are some potential issues when using wild lettuce, however. Also known as prickly lettuce, it’s considered a weed and grows pretty much everywhere in fields and along pavements. Despite its unpleasant odour, it’s been used as a herbal remedy for hundreds of years, particularly as pain relief. However, it does have laxative and diuretic properties, meaning you may end up with an upset stomach! It can also cause dizziness, heart palpitations, and vomiting if eaten raw. So we’d suggest sticking to the lettuce you find in your local supermarket!

If you’re looking for something soothing to sip on to get you in the mood for bed, we have many recommendations that are proven to work and will certainly taste much better!

1. Herbal teas such as camomile, lavender and peppermint tea
2. Tart cherry juice
3. Warm milk
4. Valerian root
5. Saffron Lassi

For more ideas, read our full list of drinks to help you sleep peacefully.

That said, trying lettuce water is relatively harmless. If it helps you wind down as part of a calming bedtime routine, then why not give it a try? Just keep your expectations realistic, and maybe have camomile tea on standby, too.