Acetosella, Wood Sorrel

Teen Pattia (Ayurveda)
Paliakiri (Siddha)
Shan Zuo Jiang Cao (TCM)
Picture Icones Plantarum Medcio-oeconomico,
Vietz, 1800

Picture Oxalis acetosella
Flora von Deutschland (21), Kohler, 1885

Picture 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:


2B ATTENUATERS
B. Clear Heat
Preparers and Purgers of Bile

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)