Acetosella, Wood Sorrel
Teen Pattia (Ayurveda)
Paliakiri (Siddha)
Shan Zuo Jiang Cao (TCM)
Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico,
Vietz, 1800
Oxalis acetosella
Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885
Oxalis corniculata
Flora Danica [G.C. Oeder et al], fasicle 30, (1761-1883)
Botanical name:
Oxalis acetosella
Other species are used including O. corniculata (Creeping Oxalis, Indian Sorrel) in Ayurveda
Parts used:
Herb; sometimes the Seed
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Sour
Classifications:
Uses:
1. Clears Heat, Resists Toxin:
-especially for Fever, High Fever, Fever with Thirst
-Heat or Bile affecting the Liver, Stomach, Heart or Kidney
-Toxic Swellings, Swollen Abscesses, Leprosy (TCM)
-Measles (TCM)
–antidote to Arsenic and Mercury (Dragendorff, 1898)
-Scurvy (swollen, bleeding gums, non-healing wounds etc.)
-used as Sorrel, but regarded as stronger
2. Clears Heat and Damp:
-Diarrhea, Dysentery
-diuretic when obstructed by Heat; Strangury, Dysuria, Nephritis
-Jaundice
3. Regulates Stomach, Benefits Digestion: (Ayurveda)
-Heartburn, Acid Regurgitation
-Malabsorption Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (Ayurveda)
-Juice (diluted 1:5) was given freely in Stomach Cancer (Wilmkes)
4. Move the Blood, Resolve Stasis:
-Trauma and Bruising
-Menstrual disorders with Heat (TCM)
-Hematuria
5. Externally:
-topically to all hot inflammations, swellings and tumors
-Heat swellings of the Breasts or Testicles
-heat and inflammation of the Mouth; Sore Mouth in infants (TCM)
-distilled water as a mouth wash for Mouth Ulcers (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
-decoction as a gargle for Sore Throat and Tonsillitis (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
-the distilled water was accounted very effective for Wounds (Matthiolus, New-Kreuterbuch, 1626)
-Snake and Insect Bites (West, TCM)
-Burns and Scalds
-Vaginal Discharge
-Fistulas
Dose:
Decoction: 6–12 grams (10–30 grams fresh)
Of the Juice: 5–20mls.
Substitute:
Sorrel
Main Combinations:
1. To clears Heat and calms the Heart, Wood Sorrel with Borage, Endive, Chicory, Licorice, and the 4 Cold Seeds (as in Cordial Decoction)
Cautions:
Cold, so not suitable for people with Cold and weakness of the digestive system.
Main Preparations used:
Conserve, Distilled Water, Syrup, Extract
1. Conserve of Wood Sorrel:
i. Fresh leaves of Wood Sorrel, Sugar (equal parts). Beat together. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
ii. powdered leaves of Wood Sorrel (3 oz.), Distilled Water of Wood Sorrel (8 oz.); macerate for 6 hours, then add White Sugar (1 1/2 lbs.) constantly stirring. (Pharmacopoeia Lusitana, 1711)
2. Syrup of Wood Sorrel:
i. Depurated Juice of Wood Sorrel (10 oz.), White Sugar (16 oz.). Boil to a syrup. (Pharmacopoeia Wirtembergica, 1798)
3. Extract of Wood Sorrel:
i. Bruise the fresh herb in a stone mortar, sprinkling with a little water, then express the juice. Evaporate to the consistency of an extract in a water-bath. (Pharmacopoeia Sardoa, 1773)
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