When is the concentration of active compounds in wild lettuce noted to potentially be highest?
Answer
Just before the plant flowers.
The chemical composition and resulting potency of wild lettuce are not static; they fluctuate significantly based on the plant's maturity stage and environmental harvesting conditions. Herbalists and foragers observe that the highest concentrations of the active compounds—those responsible for the analgesic and sedative actions—are typically reached at a specific transitional point in the plant's life cycle. This peak concentration is generally achieved immediately preceding the onset of flowering, suggesting that the plant maximizes its defense compounds at this stage.
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