Horse sorrel

Horse sorrel - a perennial herb, which grows almost everywhere in Europe in meadows, forest glades, along the banks of reservoirs. This plant is 60-150 cm tall, with an upright stem, large, slightly wavy leaves and a short thick root with numerous roots. It blooms in small yellow-green, collected in narrow-clustered inflorescences by flowers.

Chemical composition of horse sorrel

Horse sorrel is considered a valuable medicinal raw material due to the large content of nutrients. The roots of the plant contain:

• anthraquinone derivatives;
• tannins;
• flavonoids;
• organic acids (oxalic, coffee, etc.);
• vitamin K;
• essential oil;
• resins;
• iron.

Fruits also contain derivatives of anthraquinone and tannins, and in leaves - flavonoids, vitamin C and carotene. Flowers of horse sorrel are rich in ascorbic acid, and all of its parts are calcium oxalate.

Horse sorrel - useful properties and application

The healing properties of horse sorrel are known since the Middle Ages, and to this day it is used as a primary or additional remedy for the treatment of many diseases. The most commonly used leaves are plants with petioles, roots and fruits (seeds).

Special attention should be paid to the medicinal properties of the root of horse sorrel. In small doses, it has astringent and choleretic action, and in large doses it has a laxative effect. The root of horse sorrel stimulates the muscle fibers of the large intestine, contributing to the softening of stool. It also has the following properties:

• anthelmintic;
• hemostatic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• wound healing;
• bactericidal;
• hypotensive;
• expectorant ;
• soothing, etc.

Apply this plant for peptic ulcer disease, cholecystitis, enterocolitis, hemorrhoids, hypertension, skin diseases, coughing, headache. The root of horse sorrel is most often used for diarrhea, including bloody. Useful horse sorrel and inflammatory diseases of the oropharynx - stomatitis, gingivitis, angina.

Horse sorrel - collection and harvesting

The root of horse sorrel is harvested in autumn after the drying of the aboveground part of the plant. After cleansing from the ground and washing in cold water, it is dried in the shade or in a dryer at a temperature of about 50 ° C. Leaves and grass of horse sorrel are harvested during the flowering period, fruits - in August, as they mature. Keep the harvested raw materials can be no more than 3 years.

Preparations based on horse sorrel - recipes

Decoction of the root of horse sorrel is prepared as follows:

1. Pour one tablespoon of chopped root with two glasses of hot water.
2. Boil on low heat for 15 minutes, then drain.
3. Take half the glass half an hour before meals three times - four times a day (with diarrhea, stomach diseases, tuberculosis , etc.).

The recipe for the fruit broth:

1. 5 grams of raw material pour half a liter of water.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Insist for an hour, drain.
4. Take a third cup 4 - 5 times a day (with dysentery, dyspepsia, etc.).

Recipe for alcoholic tincture of the root of horse sorrel:

1. Shredded roots of the plant pour vodka in a ratio of 1: 4.
2. Place in a dark place for 14 days, shaking several times a day.
3. Filter the tincture.
4. Take 20 to 30 drops per day for half an hour before meals (with diseases of the digestive tract, respiratory diseases, bleeding, hypertension).

Horse sorrel - contraindications:

• childhood;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• kidney disease.