Wood Sorrel wild herb

Oxalis acetosella

Wood sorrel is one of the most common wild herbs you will find in the woods.
It is a perennial herb found growing in grasslands and open woodlands
Its stalk is very thin and slender with three very distinct bright green heart shaped leaves at the top. It typically grows to the height of 8 cm and flowers from April through to may. The most common colors is the white flower but there is also the yellow and purple colored variety.

The whole plant is edible including the bulb and tastes of lemony apple and has been used as a medicinal herb for millennia. The leaves contain oxalic acid which is considered toxic when consumed in large quantities but are safe to eat……. but you should not eat to many if you have kidney problems,arthritis, goat and pregnant as the acid can bind up the body’s supply of calcium leading to deficiency. Wood sorrel is a incredible thirst quencher and hikers would often grab handfuls and chew it up in there mouths and place it under the tongue.

Wood sorrel can be used as an expectorant which promotes the secretion of sputum opening up the air passages so treating coughs and colds. The chewed-up plant can be used as an astringent causing the contraction of skin cells and body tissues to stem bleeding. Wood sorrel is also an antiscorbutic which prevents and cures scurvy because of its high vitamin c content.

Sorrel has a diuretic effect stimulating urination, which helps cleans out the kidneys, taking with it any extra toxins, salts, water, and even a certain percentage of fat. It can also help the stomach in digestion and inflammation helping you gain an appetite and also used as a blood cleanser.

Wood sorrel contains a significant amount of fibre, very few calories, almost no fat, and a small amount of protein. In terms of vitamins, it is rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B-6, iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium. and beneficial organic compounds. it contains polyphenolic acids, anthocyanins and flavonoids helping the functionality of your body.

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