Content
- 1 What does horse sorrel look like?
- 2 Where does horse sorrel grow?
- 3 Can horse sorrel be eaten?
- 4 What are the benefits of horse sorrel?
- 5 What does horse sorrel help with?
- 6 Rules for the procurement of medicinal raw materials
- 7 How to use horse sorrel in treatment
- 8 Use in cooking
- 9 Contraindications to the horse sorrel plant
- 10 How to get rid of horse sorrel on your property
- 11 Conclusions
Horse sorrel is a popular plant that grows in the wild, on river banks and in forests, in dachas, and vegetable gardens. The medicinal properties and contraindications of horse sorrel have been studied in sufficient detail. There are a huge number of folk recipes that will help you use sorrel as a medicine for various pathologies. It is important to be able to apply it correctly, to know about situations when it is better not to eat wild sorrel, so as not to harm it.
What does horse sorrel look like?
Horse sorrel, which is famous for its medicinal properties, is externally familiar to many.This is a tall plant, growing up to one and a half meters. The bare stems turn into wide leaves at the end. The thickness of the stem can reach 3 cm. In many gardens, this medicinal herb is perceived only as a weed and they try with all their might to get rid of it. There are two types of horse sorrel leaves:
- at the bottom - with a heart-shaped base, the shape is both ovoid and triangular;
- small leaves - collected in the form of inflorescences.
Older leaves have a large number of hard hairs and are themselves quite coarse. The flowers have 6 leaves. Their hue is greenish-yellow. Flowering of horse sorrel begins in May and ends in June.
The grass bears fruit with nuts measuring 4–7 mm. During the cold season they fall off.
Where does horse sorrel grow?
Moist soil is preferable for the plant. Horse sorrel does not like dry places. It is easy to find along the banks of reservoirs, in damp forests, in ravines and valleys. Can be found alone or in large groups.
It grows in most CIS countries, with the exception of the cold regions of the Far North. It is found in many places on the European continent.
Can horse sorrel be eaten?
Wild sorrel is quite suitable for eating. Leaves and cuttings are suitable for food, and in most recipes the root of the plant is used as a medicinal component. The healing properties of horse sorrel are described by many traditional healers.
Common names of the plant: sorrel, wild sorrel, horse sorrel. It is believed that it was called a horse precisely because of its size. The average plant easily grows to human height. The taste of horse sorrel is not sour.Its leaves are used to prepare salads, pie fillings, various soups and other culinary masterpieces. But it is necessary to use only young, small leaves, which have the greatest concentration of medicinal properties.
What are the benefits of horse sorrel?
Each component of the plant has medicinal properties. This is due to the chemical composition of sorrel. It contains a huge amount of vitamins, microelements, acids, flavonoids, tannins, and anthracone derivatives.
Medicinal properties of horse sorrel root
The medicinal properties of horse sorrel root are varied. The rhizome contains:
- iron;
- calcium oxalate;
- organic acids;
- anthraquinone;
- tannins;
- routine;
- carotene;
- ascorbic acid.
Thanks to its components, horse sorrel root has medicinal properties for which it is valued. Contraindications should also be taken into account. The rhizome is usefully used for gastrointestinal diseases, especially those of an inflammatory nature. The root enhances the production of gastric juice and normalizes digestion processes.
Other beneficial properties have also been observed in the rhizome of wild sorrel:
- analgesic effect for rheumatism, muscle pain, sprained tendons and ligaments;
- heals wounds;
- is a natural antibiotic.
The root also has an astringent effect, which helps with intestinal problems. But for the astringent property, a very small amount of medicinal herb is needed. If the dosage is increased, the effect will be exactly the opposite.
Medicinal properties of horse sorrel seeds
The seeds contain the following substances necessary for every person:
- essential oils;
- vitamins;
- microelements.
In folk medicine, seeds are used least often. Their effectiveness has been proven when used during dysentery. A decoction is made from the seeds, which perfectly helps to cope with loose stools.
Medicinal properties of horse sorrel leaves
The leaves are the most popular product for consumption, as it not only has medicinal properties, but is also excellent for preparing many culinary masterpieces. The main thing is that these are young specimens, since they have no bitterness and a higher concentration of nutrients. Eating horse sorrel leaves helps:
- narrow blood vessels and strengthen their walls;
- relieve inflammation;
- remove excess fluid from the body;
- stop bleeding;
- relieve spasm;
- in the fight against cancer cells.
This number of beneficial properties is due precisely to the rich composition of the plant, which for a long time was considered simply a weed. Even now, many gardeners consider their only goal to be to remove this weed from their plot.
What does horse sorrel help with?
The list of diseases for which wild sorrel is consumed is very wide:
- bronchitis and colds (treats cough);
- atherosclerosis;
- hypertension;
- headache;
- haemorrhoids;
- slagging of the body;
- in the presence of parasites (as an anthelmintic);
- gastritis;
- dermatosis;
- cholecystitis.
The list goes on, and each disease has its own application features.
Horse sorrel for varicose veins
Varicose veins are characterized by the fact that the valves begin to malfunction, and this severely impairs blood flow. In the treatment of varicose veins, tinctures of horse sorrel are used, and various recipes are also used for external use.With regular use, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened and blood flow is stabilized.
Horse sorrel for diarrhea
For dysentery and other stool disorders, horse sorrel (all its parts) is a useful product. But in this case, the norm must be followed. With moderate use, the remedy will strengthen and the diarrhea will stop, but an overdose of wild sorrel, on the contrary, will lead to more severe diarrhea. It is optimal to take a decoction of seeds for diarrhea, since they strengthen better than leaves. The latter can have a laxative effect. Sorrel seeds are especially effective for drug-induced diarrhea, as well as food poisoning.
Horse sorrel for hemorrhoids
Oxalis remedies perfectly normalize the intestinal muscles and help heal wounds and cracks. It also stops bleeding from the rectum. They are used as infusions and decoctions for oral administration, as well as special products for external use.
From colitis and enterocolitis
For intestinal inflammation, the most important point is to relieve spasm. The substances that make up horse sorrel perfectly help relieve spasms and also effectively fight the inflammatory process in the intestines.
The best option for combating colitis is horse sorrel tincture. Decoctions are also used. There are recipes for course treatment for chronic forms.
For stomach ulcers
The therapeutic effect for stomach ulcers is based on the fact that all parts of the plant contain a large amount of essential oils, which help relieve acute symptoms and pain. When treating stomach and duodenal ulcers, it is recommended to use tinctures, as well as decoctions of seeds, rhizomes, and leaves of wild sorrel for a course of treatment.You can prepare the alcohol tincture yourself, or you can buy it ready-made at the pharmacy. Before use, in any case, it is recommended to consult a specialist. This tincture is an assistant to the main treatment, but not a substitute for it. Any patient with a stomach ulcer should understand this.
From worms
Helminthiasis, almost any kind, can be successfully treated with horse sorrel. The presence of worms is a very dangerous disease, which many patients do not attach importance to. Parasites contribute to general deterioration of health, intestinal disorders, constipation, memory impairment, and children may experience delayed sexual development. Therefore, there are a large number of means, including traditional medicine, to combat internal parasites.
In addition to medicinal purposes, horse sorrel tea can also be used to prevent helminthiasis.
For hypertension
The main problem of hypertensive patients is high blood pressure. Every patient has several products in their medicine cabinet that will help lower their blood pressure in the event of a crisis. Some drugs are used on an ongoing basis throughout life.
A tincture of wild sorrel in alcohol perfectly lowers blood pressure and strengthens blood vessels. This drug also helps with atherosclerosis, increasing the lumen of blood vessels. Pressure may also decrease due to this effect. The alcohol tincture should be taken dropwise, diluted with water first. It is better to consult with your doctor before use, since this tincture, both homemade and pharmacy, has its own contraindications.
For cholecystitis
In case of inflammatory processes in the gallbladder, wild sour will perfectly help relieve unpleasant symptoms.In pathology, it is important that the plant has both anti-inflammatory and choleretic effects. These two properties help to establish normal functioning of the gallbladder during cholecystitis.
All parts of the plant are used for treatment in the form of decoctions, infusions, and plant extracts.
In addition to the above properties and applications, sorrel is used for douching for gynecological pathologies as an external remedy for ulcers, stopping all processes of putrefaction in the stomach.
Rules for the procurement of medicinal raw materials
In order for the results from traditional medicine recipes to be maximum, it is necessary to properly prepare the raw materials:
- The root must be dug up after the upper part of the plant dies. It is dug up and cleared of soil and dirt. Then the root is cut into pieces and washed under running water. After this, the workpiece should be dried.
- Horse sorrel leaves and flowers can be harvested at any time. Needs to be collected and dried.
- The seeds are harvested along with the inflorescences, also dried and then carefully separated for further use.
Raw materials must be stored in a dark and dry place, preferably in plastic or fabric bags. It is important that moisture does not get there.
How to use horse sorrel in treatment
Horse sorrel herb has many medicinal properties, but these may vary depending on the form in which the plant is taken. It can be:
- tinctures with water or alcohol;
- liquid extract;
- tea or decoction;
- juice from leaves;
- powder or crushed fresh root;
- ointment for external use.
In addition, horse sorrel is also used in culinary recipes. It is preferable to take each of the recipes to combat certain pathologies so that the effectiveness is at the same level.
Liquid extract
The extract can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared yourself. You will need few ingredients, and the process itself will not take much time. Components:
- 10 grams of plant root and flowers;
- 60 ml vegetable oil.
Preparation process: grind the medicinal raw material to a powder using any available method, then heat a little oil, add the resulting powder and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Leave for an hour, strain and store in the refrigerator.
It is useful to take the extract internally or externally. For varicose veins, it is rubbed into the legs twice a day for a month. When taken orally, it lowers blood pressure and prevents the formation of blood clots.
Root tincture
It is also sold at the pharmacy, but you can prepare it at home. Alcohol tincture requires the following components:
- 20 grams of medicinal sorrel rhizome;
- alcohol - 50 ml;
- a small spoon of sugar.
Cooking algorithm:
- Grind the root.
- Add granulated sugar and alcohol.
- Close and shake.
- Leave for 14 days.
- Strain.
Take the prepared tincture drop by drop: 20 drops three times a day before meals. Helps hypertensive patients reduce blood pressure, improves digestion and cleanses the blood.
Root decoction
An excellent remedy for diarrhea is a decoction of horse sorrel. Medicinal properties help stop diarrhea in both adults and children. To prepare a decoction with astringent properties, you need 20 g of root and a glass of water.
Recipe:
- Finely chop the root and add boiling water.
- Bring to a boil, cook for 10 minutes over low heat.
- Leave for an hour.
- Strain through cheesecloth.
You should take this decoction no more than three times a day, 70 ml.Helps with both regular diarrhea and bloody diarrhea.
Root powder
The powder is used more often as an external agent, from which various ointments are made against hemorrhoids, for varicose veins, dermatoses and various ulcers on the skin. But oral administration for some inflammatory diseases, in particular epicondylitis, is also justified.
It’s easy to prepare: you need to take 50 g of root, wash, dry, cut and grind in a coffee grinder.
For oral administration you will need a pharmacy scale. At one time you need to eat 0.25 g of powder and wash it down with water. So 3 times a day.
Fresh chopped roots
The medicinal properties of the fresh root help with various skin pathologies. To do this, you just need to chop the root and add cream to it. The consistency should be a paste. It is applied to various abscesses and ulcers for their rapid maturation. You can grind the roots using a coffee grinder or simply grate them on the finest grater.
Leaf tea
A product for the prevention and treatment of helminths. Components:
- medicinal herb leaves - 20 g;
- water - half a liter.
Making tea is simple:
- Wash the leaves thoroughly.
- Pour boiling water over and cover.
- Leave for 15 minutes.
It is enough to drink a glass of this tea 3 times a day before meals, and digestion will always be normal, and the parasites will soon leave the body.
Leaf juice
Juice can also be extracted from the medicinal herb. Most often, this concentrate is used as a rinse for dental problems. Sorrel juice is especially effective if the gums suffer from severe bleeding. It is important to understand that freshly squeezed juice must be taken as medicine, in very small quantities.
Use in cooking
Even those who have never seen it know horse sorrel from a photo of the plant. It is successfully used not only as a medicine, but also in many culinary recipes. Most often, oxalis leaves are used in salads. It is enough to add a couple of leaves to the finished dish to get a complete vitamin dressing.
Dried sorrel is very widely used in cooking. It is used as an additive to various soups, fried vegetables, and mushrooms.
Contraindications to the horse sorrel plant
Like any plant that has medicinal properties, sorrel has a number of contraindications. First of all, it must be taken carefully by patients with osteoporosis, since the product tends to leach calcium from the bones. Other contraindications:
- age up to 7 years;
- pregnancy;
- individual intolerance;
- gout;
- renal failure;
- urolithiasis disease.
When using sorrel, it is more important than anywhere else to observe the dosage. In large quantities, the plant can harm the body.
How to get rid of horse sorrel on your property
As for gardeners, many of them know how difficult it is to get rid of this plant on the site. The algorithm for destroying wood sorrel thickets in an area is not as complicated as it seems. It is better to start the fight in early spring. You just need to dig up the roots of the plant.
Otherwise you will have to use chemicals. This should be done immediately after harvesting, in the fall. But you cannot plant cultivated plants in the area that has been treated for six months.
Conclusions
The medicinal properties and contraindications of horse sorrel are extensive and depend on the method of use and quantity.If used correctly, you can lower blood pressure, stop bleeding, and remove excess fluid from the body. Leaves, roots, and seeds of wild sorrel help improve digestion and strengthen blood vessels, lower cholesterol and have an astringent effect against diarrhea. There are many recipes: tinctures, decoctions, teas, as well as powder from the root. Before using medicinal properties, you should definitely consult a doctor - this way you can avoid contraindications.
