Healing Plants You Can Forage - American Forests
Some of the most common plants growing around you are frequently dismissed as weeds, but many of them actually have medicinal uses you might find helpful!
Wood sorrel
I remember a friend of mine once offering me a clover-shaped leaf, assuring me it was fine to eat and even tasted good — subtly tart like the skin of a green apple. Although I was hesitant, I tried it, and she was surprisingly right. <anchor>Wood sorrel</anchor> is a frequent visitor to my own backyard, and many others around the country. Its leaves, flowers and bulbs are all edible and medicinal. Considered a diuretic, it has a multitude of healing properties, used to relieve hemorrhages, cleanse blood, produce an appetite, and remedy ulcers in the mouth. Its juice is also known to reduce swelling and inflammation. What’s not to love? Add wood sorrel to your next salad for a healthy kick.
WOOD SORREL: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews
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# WOOD SORREL - Uses, Side Effects,  and More

OTHER NAME(S): Acederilla, Aleluya, Alléluia, Cuckoo Bread, Cucko  ...  Show More

OTHER NAME(S): Acederilla, Aleluya, Alléluia, Cuckoo Bread, Cucko  ...  Show More

## Overview

Wood sorrel is a plant. The whole flowering plant is used to make medicine.

Despite safety concerns, people take wood sorrel for liver and digestive disorders, a condition caused by lack of vitamin C) (scurvy), wounds, and swollen gums.

Don’t confuse wood sorrel with sorrel.

### How does it work ?

There isn’t enough information to know how wood sorrel works.

There isn’t enough information to know how wood sorrel works.

## Uses & Effectiveness  ?

### Insufficient Evidence for

- Liver problems.
- Digestion problems.
- Wounds.
- Vitamin C deficiency (scurvy).
- Gum swelling.
- Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of wood sorrel for these uses.

## Side Effects

Wood sorrel is UNSAFE, especially when used when used in higher doses. Wood sorrel can cause diarrhea, nausea, increased urination, skin reactions, stomach and intestine irritation, eye damage, and kidney damage. Swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat can make speaking and breathing difficult.

Taking wood sorrel by mouth can lead to crystals forming in the blood and depositing in the kidneys, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and liver.

## Special Precautions  and Warnings

Wood sorrel is UNSAFE, especially when used when used in higher doses. Wood sorrel can cause diarrhea, nausea, increased urination, skin reactions, stomach and intestine irritation, eye damage, and kidney damage. Swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat can make speaking and breathing difficult.

Taking wood sorrel by mouth can lead to crystals forming in the blood and depositing in the kidneys, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and liver. While wood sorrel isn’t safe for anyone, some people are at even greater risk for serious side effects. Be especially careful not give wood sorrel to children or take it yourself if you have any of the following conditions.

Children: It is UNSAFE give wood sorrel to children. It contains crystals made of oxalic acid that can damage the organs. One four-year old child died after eating rhubarb leaves, which also contain oxalic acid.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Wood sorrel is UNSAFE for both mothers and infants. Avoid use.

Blood-clotting (coagulation) problems: Chemicals in wood sorrel can make blood clot too fast.

Stomach or intestinal disorders: Wood sorrel can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines and might make ulcers worse.

Kidney disease: The oxalic acid crystals in wood sorrel can damage the kidney and make existing kidney disease worse.

## Interactions  ?

We currently have no information for WOOD SORREL overview.

## Dosing

The appropriate dose of wood sorrel depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for wood sorrel. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.

Ellenhorn MJ, et al. Ellenhorn's Medical Toxicology: Diagnoses and Treatment of Human Poisoning. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Williams & Wilkins, 1997.

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.

Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.

Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. Terry C. Telger, transl. 3rd ed. Berlin, GER: Springer, 1998.

The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.

© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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