Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Oxalis corniculata L.


English Name : Indian Sorrel

Family : Oxalidaceae

Origin : India

Description
A delicate perennial herb, procumbent, hairy. Leaves alternate, 3 lobed. Inflorescence umbel. Flowers are pale pink or yellow, small, slender axillary peduncles; capsules linear, tomentose. Seeds numerous, dark brown, broadly ovoid.

Habitat
Prefers moist areas; found in gardens fields and wastelands of the warmer areas of India.

Parts Used : Root, leaf and plant

Herb Effects
Stops growth of Staphylococcus typhi (alcohol extract of leaves); reduces fever, antiscorbutic, aids in and stimulates digestion and curbs excessive thirst caused by severe heat or diabetes.Anthelmintic, antiphlogistic, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, lithontripic, stomachic and styptic.

Active Ingredients
Citric acid, tartaric acid, vitamins B1 and C and carotene.

Medicinal Use
Indigestion, anemia, swelling of the tympanum and hemorrhoids (fresh plant juice); dysentery and diarrhea (leaf and root); skin and eye disorders (such as warts and opacity of the cornea) and scurvy (plant); insomnia, jaundice and fever.

Contraindication
Contains a high concentration of oxalic acid and should therefore be avoided by persons suffering from gout. rheumatism and stones in the urinary tract. The leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since oxalic acid can bind up the body's supply of calcium leading to nutritional deficiency.

Reference

No comments: