Horse sorrel: photo, treatment

Horse sorrel is a popular plant that grows in the wild, on the banks of rivers and in forests, in summer cottages, and vegetable gardens. The medicinal properties and contraindications of horse sorrel have been studied in sufficient detail. A huge number of folk recipes are known that will help to 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.

What does horse sorrel look like

Horse sorrel, which is famous for its medicinal properties, is outwardly familiar to many. This is a tall plant, whose growth reaches one and a half meters. Bare stems at the end turn into broad leaves. The thickness of the stem can reach 3 cm. In many gardens, this medicinal herb is perceived only as a weed and they are trying with all their might to get rid of it. Horse sorrel leaves of two types:

• below – with a heart-shaped base, both ovoid and triangular in shape;
• small leaves – collected in the form of inflorescences.

Older leaves have coarse hairs in large numbers and are rather coarse in themselves. The flowers have 6 leaves. Their color is greenish-yellow. Flowering of horse sorrel begins in May, ends in June.

The grass bears fruit with nuts 4–7 mm in size. In the cold season, they fall off.

Where does horse sorrel grow

The plant prefers moist soil. Horse sorrel does not like dry places. It is easy to find along the banks of reservoirs, in moist forests, in ravines and valleys. It can be found singly and in large groups.

It grows on the territory of most CIS countries, with the exception of the cold regions of the Far North. It is found in many places on the European continent.

Is it possible to eat horse sorrel

Wild sorrel is quite suitable for eating. Leaves, 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 folk healers.

Popular names of the plant: sorrel, wild sorrel, horse sorrel. It is believed that it was called horse 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 make salads, fillings for pies, various soups and other culinary delights. But it is necessary to apply only young, small leaves, which have the highest concentration of medicinal properties.

What is useful horse sorrel

Each of the components 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, anthrachone 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;
• rutin;
• carotene;
• ascorbic acid.

Thanks to the 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 inflammatory ones. The root enhances the production of gastric juice, normalizes the processes of digestion.

And also other useful properties of the rhizome of wild sorrel were noticed:

• analgesic effect for rheumatism, muscle pain, sprains of tendons and ligaments;
• heals wounds;
• is a natural antibiotic.

And also the root has an astringent effect, which helps with problems with the intestines. But for the astringent property, you need a very small amount of healing herbs. If the dosage is increased, the effect will be just the opposite.

Medicinal properties of horse sorrel seeds

Seeds in their composition contain the following substances necessary for every person:

• essential oils;
• vitamins;
• trace elements.

In folk medicine, seeds are used the least. Their effectiveness has been proven when used during dysentery. Based on the seeds, a decoction is made, which perfectly helps to cope with loose stools.

Medicinal properties of horse sorrel leaves

The leaves are the most popular food for consumption, as they not only have medicinal properties, but are also excellent for preparing many culinary delights. The main thing is that these are young specimens, since they do not have bitterness and a greater concentration of nutrients. The use of horse sorrel leaves helps:

• narrow blood vessels and strengthen their walls;
• reduce inflammation;
• remove excess fluid from the body;
• stop bleeding;
• relieve spasm;
• in the fight against cancer cells.

Such a number of useful properties is due precisely to the rich composition of the plant, which for a long time was considered just a weed. And even now, many gardeners consider their only goal to be to remove this weed from their site.

What helps horse sorrel

The list of diseases for which wild sorrel is used is very wide:

• bronchitis and colds (treats cough);
• atherosclerosis;
• hypertension;
• headache;
• hemorrhoids;
• 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 peculiarities of application.

Horse sorrel for varicose veins

Varicose veins are characterized by the fact that the valves begin to work incorrectly, and this severely disrupts blood flow. In the treatment of varicose veins, horse sorrel tinctures are used, and various recipes for external use are also used. With regular use, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, 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, you should follow the norm. 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 for diarrhea to take a decoction of seeds, since they are stronger than leaves. The latter may have a laxative effect. Sorrel seeds are especially effective for drug-induced diarrhea, as well as food poisoning.

Horse sorrel for hemorrhoids

Means from oxalis perfectly normalize the muscles of the intestine, 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

With intestinal inflammation, the most important point is to relieve spasm. The substances that are part of the horse sorrel perfectly help relieve spasm, 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 in 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 that help relieve acute symptoms and pain. In the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers, it is recommended to use tinctures, as well as decoctions from seeds, rhizomes, and wild acid leaves for course treatment. Alcohol tincture can be prepared by yourself, or you can buy ready-made in a pharmacy. Before use, in any case, it is recommended to consult a specialist. Such a tincture is an assistant to the main treatment, but not a substitute for it. This should be understood by any patient with a stomach ulcer.

From worms

Helminthiases, almost any, are 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 a general deterioration in health, intestinal disorders, constipation, memory impairment, and children may experience a delay in 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.

From hypertension

The main problem of hypertensive patients is high blood pressure. Each patient in the first aid kit has several tools that will help lower the pressure in case of a crisis. Some drugs are used on an ongoing basis throughout life.

Wild sorrel tincture on alcohol perfectly lowers blood pressure and strengthens blood vessels. And also this drug helps with atherosclerosis, increasing the lumen of blood vessels. The pressure can also decrease due to this effect. Alcohol tincture should be taken drip, diluted with water first. It is better to consult with your doctor before use, since such a tincture, both homemade and pharmacy, has its own contraindications.

From cholecystitis

In inflammatory processes in the gallbladder, wild sorrel will perfectly help to remove unpleasant symptoms. In pathology, it is important that the plant has both anti-inflammatory and choleretic effects. These two properties help to establish the normal functioning of the gallbladder with cholecystitis.

For treatment, all parts of the plant are used in the form of decoctions, infusions, plant extracts.

In addition to the above properties and uses, acid is used for douching in gynecological pathologies as an external remedy for abscesses, stops all processes of putrefaction in the stomach.

Rules for the procurement of medicinal raw materials

In order for the result from traditional medicine recipes to be maximum, it is necessary to properly prepare raw materials:

1. The root must be dug up after the top of the plant dies. It is dug up, cleaned of soil and dirt. Then the root is cut into pieces and washed under running water. After that, dry the workpiece.
2. Horse sorrel leaves and flowers can be harvested at any time. Must be collected and dried.
3. Seeds are harvested together with inflorescences, also dried and then carefully separated for further use.

Raw materials must be stored in a dark and dry place, preferably in polyethylene or fabric bags. It is important that moisture does not get there.

How to use horse sorrel in treatment

The herb horse sorrel has many medicinal properties, but they can vary depending on the form in which the plant is taken. It can be:

• tinctures on water or alcohol;
• liquid extract;
• tea or decoction;
• leaf juice;
• powder or crushed fresh root;
• ointment for external use.

In addition, horse sour is also used in culinary recipes. Each of the recipes is preferable to take to combat certain pathologies, so that the effectiveness is at the level.

liquid extract

The extract can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently. Few ingredients are needed, and the process itself does not take much time. Components:

• 10 grams of the root and flowers of the plant;
• 60 ml of vegetable oil.

Preparation process: grind medicinal raw materials to a powder state in any way possible, then heat a little oil, add the resulting powder and stew 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. With 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.

Tincture on the root

It is also sold in a pharmacy, but it is possible to cook at home. Alcohol tincture requires the following components:

• 20 grams of medicinal sorrel rhizome;
• alcohol – 50 ml;
• a small spoonful of sugar.

Algorithm cooking:

1. Chop the root.
2. Pour sugar and add alcohol.
3. Close and shake.
4. Insist 14 days.
5. Strain.

Take the finished tincture drip: 20 drops three times a day before meals. Helps hypertensive patients to reduce pressure, tidies up digestion and cleanses the blood.

Root decoction

An excellent remedy for diarrhea is a decoction of horse sorrel. Medicinal properties help to 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:

1. Finely chop the root and pour boiling water over it.
2. Bring to a boil, cook for 10 minutes over low heat.
3. Set an hour.
4. Strain through cheesecloth.

It is necessary to take such a decoction no more than three times a day, 70 ml each. Helps with both normal diarrhea and diarrhea with an admixture of blood.

Root Powder

The powder is used more often as an external agent, from which various ointments are made against hemorrhoids, with varicose veins, dermatoses and various abscesses on the skin. But ingestion in some inflammatory diseases, in particular, with epicondylitis, is also justified.

It is easy to prepare: you need to take 50 g of the root, wash, dry, cut and grind in a coffee grinder.

For oral administration, you will need a pharmacy scale. At a time, you need to eat 0,25 g of powder and drink it with water. So 3 times a day.

fresh crushed 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 abscesses for their rapid maturation. You can grind the roots with a coffee grinder or just grate on the finest possible grater.

Leaf tea

Means for the prevention and treatment of helminths. Components:

• medicinal herb leaves – 20 g;
• water – half a liter.

Making tea is easy:

1. Wash the leaves thoroughly.
2. Pour in boiling water and cover.
3. Leave for 15 minutes.

It is enough to drink a glass of such 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 squeezed out of the medicinal herb. Most often, such a concentrate is used for rinsing with 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 a medicine, in very small quantities.

Cooking application

Horse sorrel from the photo of the plant is known even to those who have never seen it. It is successfully used not only as a medicine, but also in many culinary recipes. Most often, sour leaves are used in salads. It is enough to add a couple of leaves to the finished dish to get a full-fledged vitamin dressing.

Dried sorrel has been widely used in cooking. It is used as an additive to various soups, to fried vegetables, mushrooms.

Contraindications to the plant horse sorrel

Like any plant that has medicinal properties, sorrel has a number of contraindications. First of all, it must be carefully taken by patients with osteoporosis, since the product tends to wash calcium out of the bones. Other contraindications:

• age of 7 years;
• pregnancy;
• idiosyncrasy;
• gout;
• kidney failure;
• urolithiasis disease.

When using sorrel, as nowhere else, it is important to observe the dosage. In large quantities, the plant can harm the body.

How to get rid of horse sorrel on the site

As for gardeners, many of them know how hard it is to get rid of this plant on the site. The destruction algorithm in the area of ​​oxalis thickets 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 harvest, in the fall. But you can not plant cultivated plants in the place that is processed 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, remove excess fluid from the body. Leaves, roots, seeds of wild oxalis help to improve digestion and strengthen blood vessels, lower cholesterol and have an astringent effect in case of diarrhea. There are many cooking recipes: tinctures, decoctions, teas, as well as root powder. Before applying the medicinal properties, be sure to consult a doctor – this way it will be possible to avoid contraindications.