Lactucarium can be harvested either by an alcohol and water extraction, or by scarring of the stems of the plant and gathering the white juice. When harvested directly from the plant it dries into a dark, reddish substance. We make our extract by maceration and reduction under a vacuum. The whole process is done at a temperature that is low enough to preserve the active components. We freeze dry it to make it easier to handle. Wild lettuce extract is hygroscopic, which means it will pull water from the atmosphere and become sticky. It is best to leave the unused portion in the wax paper bag and sealed in the tin.