Dorothy FarrarSauerkraut
Wood sorrel , although its name suggests it, is not related to the species of clovers, which belong to the papillae family . The plant, which belongs to the sorrel family, has nothing in common with them. Wood sorrel can be used in a variety of ways in the kitchen and can also be used as a medicinal plant.
General overview
Wood sorrel (Oxalis) is a genus of plants that belongs to the wood sorrel family and is distributed almost worldwide with more than 700 species. The white flowering sorrel, the perennial plant, can reach a height of up to 12 cm. The sorrel species are annual or mostly perennial herbaceous plants that have erect to creeping stems. However, some of these are missing.
More rarely, they are subshrubs or shrubs. Depending on the species, the sorrel plants form rhizomes, tuberous or bulbous outlasting organs. The leaves are arranged either in basal rosettes or spirally and alternately distributed along the stem of the plant. The lilac-veined leaf surfaces can be dotted with glands. Joint pads are present in some wood sorrel species. This allows the leaflets to be folded down in the event of a drought or at night.
Wood sorrel has no or only very small stipules. Wood sorrel owes its name to the sour-tasting leaves. These are composed of leaf stems with three heart-shaped leaflets. The sour taste results from the ingredient oxalic acid (clover salt). The leaves of the sorrel can be collected all year round for therapeutic purposes or for culinary delights.
Occurrence and cultivation
Wood sorrel, for example, grows in forests and forest clearings. The plant finds the best living conditions in deciduous and coniferous forests. Here it comes in many areas of Europe. The sorrel prefers shady, moist, humus and acidic places and grows in groups. The sorrel reacts to too much light, darkness, nearby vibrations, etc. by the plant folding its leaves down and the flowers closing. The clover-like leaves therefore also fold up during the night to sleep . They also fall into their sleeping position when touched, because the sorrel leaves are very jumpy. In general, however, caring for wood sorrel is easy, because the plant forgives one or the other mistake in care.
Application and effect
The collection time for the healthy sorrel leaves is from April to September. The leaves can be collected to make tea , for example. They have a sour, sharp and lemony taste. Wood sorrel is therefore a good substitute for lemon juice , for example in a refreshing salad , in quark, in meat and fish dishes , but also in desserts such as jam.
Wood sorrel is also great as a vegetable , as well as an ingredient in a soup or in a healthy green smoothie. However, only the fresh leaves are used as they lose their individual flavor when dried. To prepare a sorrel tea, the fresh leaves are scalded with hot water and left to steep for a few minutes. The tea can be drunk three times a day and sweetened with honey if necessary . The roots can also be boiled with sugar and work well as a laxative and to heal wounds. The fresh juice of the sorrel can be applied to tumors and ulcers on the outside of the skin, which is also said to have good healing results.
The leaves are washed and juiced while still wet in a household centrifuge. Due to the high levels of oxalic acid it contains, sour clover should not be eaten every day. In the body, oxalic acid combines with calcium to form calcium oxalate. This is the stuff kidney stones are made of. We recommend eating sorrel once a month. It is possible to mitigate the effects of oxalic acid when wood sorrel is processed with dairy products. The calcium in the milk then combines with the oxalic acid outside the body, which “defuses” some of the acid. People who suffer from kidney problems should avoid sorrel.
What does wood sorrel help against?
importance to health
Wood sorrel has an antipyretic , blood-purifying, refreshing and diuretic effect when it is drunk as a tea, for example . It also supports and harmonizes the metabolism of the digestive organs. It is suitable as a helpful therapy for flatulence, heartburn and cramps in the abdominal area. Its use is also recommended for vegetative disorders in the stomach and intestines, for bile and kidney colic and sensitivity to the weather.
In the event of restlessness or nervousness, wood sorrel has a calming effect and strengthens vitality. It promotes mental balance. Wood sorrel also helps against spring fatigue and loss of appetite. Due to the high vitamin C content, it can also be used in the event of a vitamin C deficiency. It is not suitable for abdominal injuries.
In high doses, sour clover can be dangerous because of the oxalic acid it contains. Therefore, it should only be enjoyed in moderation. People who suffer from gastritis , gout , rheumatism or kidney stones should avoid sour clover altogether.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.