Lettuce
Lactuca sativa
Lettuce is a leafy green vegetable used commonly in salads and on sandwiches. It is in season in the cool early and latter parts of the growing season. Lettuce was originally harvested for its seeds which were used by the ancient Egyptians to make oil, but after they domesticated it, they found that its leaves were also useful as a salad green.
There are many types of lettuce, varying degrees of bitter and sweetness can be found as well as purple and green lettuce and different leaf types and shapes.
Lettuce was believed by the Egyptians and Romans to improve men's sexual prowess and encourage love and fertility in women. The ancient Greeks, however, believed that lettuce could cause impotence in men and in Briton it was believed to cause sterility in women. The Anglo-Saxons called lettuce "sleepwort" and indeed it does have mild soporific properties.
The ancient Greeks served lettuce at funerals.
Today lettuce in salads is a popular meal starter. It grows very quickly and easily in a small tray on a windowsill or in the garden to ensure a steady supply of salad year 'round. (Though high temperatures do tend to affect the flavor in an unpleasant way.)
Lettuce is rich in potassium and vitamin A and a variety of minerals.
Correspondences
Element(s): Water Air
Planet(s): Moon -
Zodiac Sign: - -
Season: Spring
Sabbat: -
Deities:
Gender: Feminine
sexual stamina, sleep, rest
Recipes that contain Lettuce
Notes from the Test Kitchen
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