People on the social media platform TikTok are enamoured with the possibility that lettuce leaves in boiled water are a cure for insomnia. On May 30, 2021, Shapla Hoque shared the tip on her TikTok account. The original video has now been viewed at least 7.1 million times!

Since the video went viral, TikTok–ers have endorsed the nighttime ritual, with a whopping 12 million views on all #lettucewater videos shared.

In the video, Hoque says that “apparently drinking lettuce water makes you sleepy, so — sis don’t sleep, so I’m gonna try it out.”

Hoque also added some little peppermint tea to enhance the flavour. 

In a video a few minutes after, she said that she was feeling “slightly drowsy.” And in the one after that, Hoque’s eyes were closed as she said: “Your sis is gone.”

Hoque claims that it took her a total of “30 to 40 minutes” to fall asleep.

A May 2017 study published in the journal Food Science Biotechnology found that some varieties of lettuce extract, specifically red Romaine, induced an increased sleep duration of mice at low and high doses. It hasn’t been scientifically tested on humans, though.

Is lettuce water the trend that will stick around?

How to make lettuce water

Lettuce water is made in three easy steps:

• Take a bunch of lettuce leaves and place them in a mug or jug – depending on how much you want to make. 
• Pour hot water over the lettuce leaves and let them wilt.
• Remove the wilted lettuce leaves and drink the remaining water.

You need to steep a tremendous amount of lettuce leaves to get the benefits. Four or five lettuce leaves are unlikely to do much. The warmth from the water can make you sleepy, because of the placebo effect.

Lettuce oil definitely improves sleep in humans when consumed in capsule form. The purported active ingredients in the oil are not present in lettuce water. It is prized as a sleep aid in Korea. Science may be still catching up to traditional medicine.

Lettuce contains lactucarium 

Lettuce contains lactucarium – a milky fluid secreted by several species of lettuce. It can make you feel sleepy and has a similar structure to opium and soothing properties. 

The milky substance is at the base of certain lettuces. You can make this chemical by boiling a whole bunch of lettuce in a pot too. Lactucarium relieves mild pain and promotes relaxation. 

Stick to red Romaine, green Romaine, red leaf lettuce and green leaf lettuce. 

Studies on mice show that lettuce can have potential effects on inducing and prolonging sleep. In these studies, the mice are administered a sedative drug. The lettuce enhanced the sedative effects.

If lettuce water doesn’t work for me, then what will?

Drinking lettuce tea is an excellent excuse to drink more water. Relaxing teas are equally helpful for a nighttime sip.

If you want to add a sleep-inducing drink or food to your diet, some science-backed options are available. Magnesium-rich foods and supplements and valerian root are popular choices. 

There are loads of other sleep-inducing foods you can choose from:

• Almonds and different types of nuts are a source of the hormone melatonin. 
• Chamomile tea is an old insomnia remedy that contains antioxidants that promotes sleepiness.
• Kiwi has anti-inflammatory antioxidants responsible for their sleep-promoting effects.
• Tart cherry juice also has high amounts of melatonin!

Experts warn people who take blood thinners to avoid this trend. It can potentially interact with their medication. Speak to your healthcare provider before drinking lettuce water becomes a nighttime tradition.

If you are struggling to fall asleep and stay asleep at night, change your daily habits. For example, you can limit caffeine, exercise before dark and create a nighttime ritual. They help to wind you down.

Make your bedroom quiet and relaxing. Keep it cool and limit exposure to bright light in the evening, such as those emitted by screens. 

The choice is yours

If you like the idea of drinking some warm liquid before you go to sleep, doctors suggest chamomile or valerian tea. A cup of tea every night cues your body to get ready for bed.

Still, if you want to give lettuce water a go, doctors are not disregarding it. There is nothing harmful about putting lettuce in your tea. 

It is harmless, but if you’re doing it to help you sleep, pay attention to how much of it you consume, especially before bed. It’s a liquid! Drinking too much liquid actually causes disrupted sleep patterns since you may need to make a bathroom trip in the middle of the night!

Before making a hot drink out of it, wash your lettuce. Lettuce heads can house insects and pests that you probably don’t want to swallow! 

If drinking lettuce water is not for you, eat a salad with Romaine. You get great nutritional benefits and fibre, as well as the possibility of pain relief and an easier time getting to sleep and staying asleep. Eating and chewing the lettuce may have more benefits than drinking lettuce water. 

Once you finish your leafy salad, meditate or read, sniff lavender oil, take a sleeping supplement and have sweet dreams.

If you are having trouble sleeping, the best thing to do is consult a medical professional. The Medical Society is passionate about proper health and nutrition for both children and adults. The Medical Society covers you and your family for whatever unforeseen illnesses may come your way, offering affordable healthcare for adults.

Starting from R89 a month, members are covered for unlimited nurse room visits, as well as dietary advice from professionals.