Oxalidaceae
Wood Sorrel
Oxalis acetosella
✓ Generally Safe
Caution in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Asia, North America
Also known as: Common Wood Sorrel, Shamrock, Alleluia, Cuckoo Bread
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Aerial parts
Therapeutic Uses
Urinary complaints (mild diuretic), fever (cooling), scurvy prevention (historical — high vitamin C), digestive complaints, nausea. Primarily a pleasant edible herb.
Herbal Actions
Diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-scorbutic (vitamin C), refrigerant (cooling)
Active Constituents
Oxalic acid (as potassium oxalate — sour taste), flavonoids (isoquercetin, vitexin), organic acids (malic, citric), mucilage
Preparation Methods
☕ Herbal Tea🏺 Tincture
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | Handful fresh leaves steeped 5 min — pleasant sour taste, 2–3x daily |
| Tincture | 2–4 ml (1:5, 25% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | High oxalate — avoid in kidney stones. Edible in small amounts as salad herb. Cooling and refreshing tea. Three-leafed appearance — traditional shamrock in Ireland. Not to be confused with yellow wood sorrel (O. stricta). |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Caution in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
None known
Contraindications: High oxalate — avoid in kidney stones, kidney disease. High vitamin K — caution with warfarin. Avoid large doses in pregnancy.
Side Effects: Oxalate toxicity with large quantities. GI irritation. Otherwise very safe in moderate amounts.