Oxalis (oxalis)

Common Oxalis (Oxalis acetosella) is a wild herb that belongs to the Oxalis family (Oxalidaceae). In other languages, this plant has the following names:

• German - Buchampfer, Essigblatt, Hasenklee, Wilder Klee;
• in English - woodsorrel;
• in French - oseille, surelle.

In the people it is customary to call it oxalis, hare cabbage or cuckoo clover. Since ancient times, it has been known due to its citric-sour taste and healing effects on the body.

Oxalis vulgaris is a herbaceous plant that has been growing for many years. It does not belong to tall grasses, because it reaches only 15 cm in height. The plant does not have a stem, it is replaced by a creeping rhizome. In appearance, it has much in common with clover, for example, its small leaves have the same trifoliate shape.

Oxalis leaves taste like lemon, because they contain oxalic acid. They are presented in the shape of a heart, reach a length of 2.5 cm and a width of 3 cm.

The fruit of the plant is presented in the form of a light brown naked five-cell box, the length of which is 1 cm and the width is 0.5 cm. During this period, it is transformed into white and pale pink single flowers.

Flowers have five petals and five sepals.On the petals you can see pinkish-purple veins that give the petals a pink hue. Each petal has a yellow spot at the base. These spots form the yellow center of the flower.

Oxalis vulgaris can reproduce in two ways:

• Pollination occurs with the help of insects. Each flower has ten stamens and anthers, but due to the different heights, self-pollination is impossible.
• Oxalis vulgaris can self-pollinate thanks to special cleistogamous flowers. They have a height of only 1 mm and are very reminiscent of green buds. They can be seen on the plant in the middle of summer. A closed bud prevents the pollen from escaping from the anthers, so germination and the formation of a pollen tube occur in it. Then fertilization takes place. This option is used by the plant as a backup if cross-pollination does not occur.

This plant can be found in many European countries. Oxalis vulgaris is grown in China, Turkey, Mongolia, the USA and the Caucasus. On the territory of Russia, grass is found in the Far East, in the west and east of Siberia, as well as in the European part.

Common sorrel prefers shady places, therefore it often grows in coniferous and mixed forests. It can be found in large numbers in spruce forests. Carpet thickets are usually found near bodies of water or streams.

About 800 types of oxalis are known to science, but the following are widely used:

• giant oxalis (photo 1);
• European sour;
• tuberous acid (photo 2);
• horse sour;
• fleshy sour;
• direct acid (photo 3);
• carob acid (photo 4);
• four-leaf sorrel (photo 5);
• joint acid.

• This plant can be used fresh.
• For long-term storage, sour must be dried well in the shade in the open air, in special dryers at a temperature of 40-50 degrees or in a room with good air circulation. Then it is placed in paper bags and can be stored for one year until the next flowering.
• To preserve vitamin C, this herb is salted or sprinkled with sugar.

Powder is made from common sorrel, which is added to dressing for various soups from vegetables, meat or cereals. For the preparation of this spice, only dried grass is used, which is crushed with a mortar and carefully sieved.

Calorie content per 100 grams of product is 23 kcal.

• Proteins: 1.8 grams (~7 kcal) - 31%
• Fats: 0.1 grams (~1 kcal) - 4%
• Carbohydrates: 4.7 grams (~19 kcal) - 82%

Unfortunately, the chemical composition of oxalis is little studied today, but it is known for sure that this plant contains the following substances:

• oxalic acid
• Apple acid
• succinic acid
• routine
• carotene
• flavonoids
• vitamin A
• vitamin C
• folic acid
• starch

• Oxygen has diuretic and choleretic properties.
• This plant helps to get rid of worms.
• When applied externally, the herb has a wound-healing and cleansing effect.
• Oxalis vulgaris helps to cope with inflammatory processes, and is also used as a hemostatic agent.
• The plant is used at high temperatures, because it has antipyretic properties.
• This herb has antitoxic and diuretic effects on the body.

Common sorrel can be taken only in small quantities, because by its nature this plant is poisonous.

Often farm animals get severe poisoning from this herb, sometimes it ends in death. In animals, overexcitation of the central nervous system occurs, heart contractions become weaker, blood clotting decreases, a huge amount of oxalic acid accumulates in the body, which adversely affects the kidneys.

• with diseases of the kidneys or liver;
• with gout;
• with blood clotting disorders;
• with urolithiasis;
• in diseases of the pancreas.

• Fresh acid is used instead of sorrel, so it is added to vegetable salads.
• On the basis of this plant, stews and cabbage soup are cooked.
• Fresh grass, pre-rubbed, and added to soft drinks, which perfectly quench thirst.

• sour
• A pinch of salt and pepper

Cooking:

First, thoroughly washed with fresh acid. You need to wait a bit for the grass to dry, and twist it with a meat grinder. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the resulting mass.

The dish can be used as a side dish for meat dishes or added as a dressing to various soups and salads.

Ingredients:

• 100 grams of sour
• 150 grams of potatoes
• 20 grams wheat flour
• 100 grams of onion
• 1 boiled egg
• 20 grams of butter
• 20 grams of sour cream
• two bay leaves
• Pinch of pepper and salt

Cooking:

Water is drawn into the pan and brought to a boil. Cut potatoes, onions and chop sour. Potatoes are thrown into boiling water, and after 15 minutes - onions and sour. 5 minutes before full readiness, bay leaves, salt and pepper are thrown. Shchi is poured into plates and additionally offered with sour cream and a boiled egg.

Ordinary official medicine does not use acid for its own purposes. It has long been a part of folk remedies for various diseases, because it has a rich chemical composition.

Oxalic acid:

• has a beneficial effect on increasing the secretion of the stomach and pancreas;
• takes an active part in the process of hematopoiesis, while the body receives the necessary amount of iron, potassium and magnesium;
• stimulates the intestines, so the entire gastrointestinal tract begins to function perfectly.

Apple acid:

• fights constipation;
• stimulates the metabolism in the body;
• has a positive effect on the digestive process;
• strengthens blood vessels;
• improves eyesight;
• takes part in the formation of erythrocytes.

Succinic acid:

• prevents the formation of cholesterol;
• helps the body cope with the negative effects of medications;
• reduces the amount of uric acid, as a result, it has a beneficial effect on the joints;
• helps the nervous system to resist external stimuli;
• helps the natural production of insulin;
• stabilizes the intestinal microflora;
• helps the reproductive system.

Folic acid:

• takes part in DNA synthesis;
• helps to improve performance;
• normalizes the functioning of the nervous system;
• takes part in the processes of hematopoiesis;
• positively affects the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
• prevents the development of fetal anomalies in the womb;
• increases appetite;
• helps with insomnia;
• is the prevention of the development of ovarian cancer, as well as mammary glands.

Vitamin A:

• makes cell membranes strong;
• strengthens the body's immunity;
• helps fight tumors;
• takes an active part in the regeneration of skin cells;
• enhances vision;
• resists infectious diseases;
• normalizes the functioning of the mucous membranes.

Vitamin C:

• helps the absorption of vitamin E;
• activates the immune system;
• has an anti-inflammatory effect;
• fights various microbes and viruses;
• lowers the amount of uric acid in the blood;
• takes part in the process of cell respiration;
• strengthens the cardiovascular system;
• takes part in the growth of bone tissue.

Starch refers to easily digestible carbohydrates that are converted into glucose, which is necessary for energy production in the body.

Rutin:

• is indispensable for strengthening capillaries;
• participates in the dissolution of atherosclerotic deposits;
• takes part in blood clotting;
• lowers intraocular and arterial pressure;
• helps to restore the rhythm of the heart;
• participates in the formation of bile;
• stimulates the work of the adrenal cortex;
• helps to cope with puffiness;
• helps to eliminate allergies.

Carotene:

• is a reliable barrier for the body from harmful substances;
• fights against premature aging;
• favorably affects the cardiovascular system;
• prevents the formation of malignant cells.

Flavonoids:

• stimulate the work of the adrenal cortex;
• strengthen the walls of capillaries;
• normalize heart rhythm;
• stabilize the functioning of the nervous system.

This plant is used in folk medicine, because it helps to cope with various diseases.. Depending on the purpose, different infusions are used:

• with diarrhea - 1 tsp. a spoonful of fresh or dry grass is poured with 2 cups of boiling water and infused for two hours, then you need to strain and drink the infusion of 1 tbsp. spoon 4 times a day;
• with heartburn - 1 tbsp. a spoonful of fresh acid is poured into 500 ml of boiling water.After cooling, the infusion should be consumed along with the herb 2 cups a day. The course of treatment is 2-3 days;
• with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or worms - 1 tsp. a spoonful of fresh leaves is poured with 200 ml of boiling water. After just 1 minute, the infusion is filtered and two glasses can be consumed every day;
• with kidney disease - 1 tbsp. a spoonful of grass should be poured with two glasses of boiling water. Then, using a water bath, boil for 15 minutes. Then strain the broth and add the necessary amount of boiled water to get the initial volume. You need to use a decoction of 100 ml three times a day with meals;
• with scrofula - 20 grams of plant leaves are poured with a glass of boiling water, and cook over low heat for another 5 minutes. After cooling and straining, the decoction should be consumed in 3 tbsp. spoons three times a day;
• with stomach cancer - in 200 ml of green tea, add 3-5 drops of juice;
• with helminths - mix the juice from the sour with honey and take 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day before meals;
• at high temperature - juice and milk are taken in proportions of 1: 3;
• with scrofula - 20 grams of grass is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, and kept in a water bath for 5 minutes. After cooling, the decoction should be drunk ¼ cup three times a day. For children, this dose is halved. In this disease, sour is also used for external use. For 200 ml of boiling water, you need to take 30 grams of grass, boil in a water bath and cool. A small piece of gauze is soaked in a decoction and applied to sore spots for 15 minutes twice a day. The course of treatment takes 10 days.

Recipe #1

You need to pour 1 tsp. a spoonful of herbs 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours, then take 3-4 times daily.This decoction is recommended to improve the digestive tract, relieve heartburn. It helps with inflammation of the kidneys, jaundice and liver disease.

Recipe #2

It is necessary to pour 0.5 tsp. spoons of dry grass 200 ml of boiling water, let it brew for a while, then strain and take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day every day. This product will help women to reduce the pain during menstruation, and will also have a diuretic effect.

To prepare a tincture, you need 10 grams of grass. It must be filled with 100 ml of alcohol (40 percent) or ordinary vodka. Then this remedy is infused for 10 days.

Basically, the tincture is applied externally. It helps with inflammation or severe diarrhea. In the presence of ulcerative stomatitis, the oral cavity is washed with it. With diathesis, abscesses or paralysis, warm compresses based on tincture help.

Oxygen has a low calorie content, it contains many useful substances and vitamins. The use of sour will help diversify the diet while following the diet and get the necessary daily dose of vitamins and minerals. Soft drinks and teas with sour are especially useful.

Refreshing drink with sour

Ingredients:

• 1 liter of water
• 200 grams of sour

Cooking:

Common sorrel is finely ground with a knife or meat grinder. The resulting mass is poured with cold water. The drink is infused for about two hours.

Tea from sour

Cooking:

First, fresh oxalis leaves are thoroughly washed and placed in an enamel pot.Next, the acid is poured with boiled water, the temperature of which should be approximately 85–90 degrees. The drink is infused for 20 minutes. The tea is ready to drink. You can drink not only hot, but also cold.

Common acid tea is recommended for various diseases: jaundice, liver diseases, nephritis, stomach cancer, skin diseases, etc. This drink has a beneficial effect on the digestive system and metabolism.

Juice is extracted from common oxalis, which is recommended for such diseases as stomach cancer, heavy metal poisoning. When used externally, the juice helps with skin diseases or scrofula.

Preparation of juice from sour:

Rinse the herb thoroughly. Pour additionally with boiling water. Grind the grass with a meat grinder. Squeeze out the sour well. Before drinking, the juice must be diluted with water in equal proportions and boiled for three minutes. For medicinal purposes, it is recommended to drink 5 ml of juice 3 times a day with meals.

Oxygen juice has a healing effect on nephritis, heartburn, jaundice, liver diseases, diathesis, atherosclerosis.

In order to plant common sorrel in your area, it is better to use ready-made shoots with the top layer of soil, just dig it out and carefully transplant it. There is another way to grow this plant - from seeds, but it is quite complicated. In order for the acid seed to germinate, it needs a decrease in air temperature, which is not always possible, then the seeds are placed in the refrigerator before planting in the ground.

Oxalis can germinate on any soil, but it is preferable to use soil with a sufficient content of fertile substances. The main thing for a plant is moisture, so it prefers to germinate in the shade, away from sunlight.

• The peculiarity of the leaves and flowers of common oxalis is that at night or in bad weather they close and fall, and with the first rays of the sun they turn up. If you knock on the flower, it will also close. Thus, the sorrel seems to protect its leaves and flowers.
• Oxalis vulgaris has two types of flowers: open, chasmogamous, which are intended for insects, and closed, cleistogamous, used for self-pollination.
• The plant uses quite interesting ways to spread its seeds. After ripening, the box opens, and the seeds scatter about one meter from the sour. Given the small size of the plant, this is considered a great achievement. Then the seeds are carried by ants, because oxalis is a myrmecochorus. It has been observed that even seeds can move independently. To do this, it is only necessary to increase the humidity of the air and the seed to rebound from the voltage.