Acetosa, Sorrel

Oxalis
Picture Acetosa
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485

 Picture Acetosa
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
Picture Picture
Acetosa
Gerards Herbal, 1636

 Acetosa minor
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Picture Flora von Deutschland (9), Kohler, 1882

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Botanical name:


Rumex acetosa (syn. Acetosa vulgaris)
Greater and Lesser types were known; Lesser type appears to be ‘Sheep Sorrel’

Parts used:


Herb, Seed; also the Roots

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Sour

Classification:


2A APERIENT MEDICINES.    2B ATTENUATERS
3B. FEBRIFUGE & ANTIPYRETIC.   3D. CORDIALS & CARDIACS
4c. CARDIAC.   4e. STOMACHIC.   4g. HEPATIC.   4h. NEPHRITIC.   4j. NERVINES

Uses:


1. Clears Heat from the Stomach and Liver:

2. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood, Stops Bleeding:

3. Clears Heat, Refreshes the Spirit:

4. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine:


Dose:


 … available in PRO version

Substitute:


 … available in PRO version

Corrective:


 … available in PRO version

Main Combinations:


 … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Decoction to Cool the Blood (Wirtzung)
Cordial Decoction (French Pharmacopoeia)
Troches of Ramich (Mesue)
Troches of Spodium (Trochisci Spodii) (Avicenna

Cautions:


1. Large doses may irritate the Stomach.
2. Large doses may produce urinary irritation with polyuria.
4. It may cause a mild dermatitis when used externally.
5. ‘Hurtful to Melancholy persons’. (Pemell, Tractus de Facultatibus simplicium, 1653)

Main Preparations used:


Conserves of the leaves; Distilled Water; clarified and thickened Juice; Syrup of the leaf juice