Herba Oxalis Corniculatae
Aliases：San Ye Suan, Shan Yan Suan, Hu Die Yi, Huang Hua Cu Jiang Cao, Yan Suan Cao
Cujiangcao (Oxalidis Corniculatae Herba), a Chinese medicinal, is the whole herb of Oxalis corniculata L., a plant of the Oxalidaceae family (genus Oxalis).
Efficacy & Actions
Clear heat and drain dampness, cool the blood and disperse stasis, resolve toxin and reduce swelling.
Indications
Internal Medicine: Damp‑heat diarrhea, dysentery, jaundice, strangury (lin syndrome), leukorrhea, hematemesis, epistaxis, hematuria, common cold with fever, neurasthenia, hepatitis. Gynecology: Irregular menstruation. Surgery/External Medicine: Traumatic injury, sore throat, carbuncles and boils, erysipelas, hemorrhoids, eczema, scabies and tinea, burns and scalds, snake venom poisoning.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor: Exhibits cytotoxicity against liver cancer, breast cancer, and other cancer cells. Anxiolytic and anticonvulsant: Has central nervous system regulatory effects. Antioxidant: Scavenges free radicals and delays aging. Anti‑inflammatory and analgesic: Inhibits various inflammatory responses. Hepatoprotective and renoprotective: Protects the liver and kidneys. Promotes bone formation: May have the effect of promoting bone growth.
Ingredients
Flavonoids: Isoorientin, luteolin, quercetin, etc. Phenolic acids: Various phenolic acids and their glycosides. Alkaloids: Various alkaloids. Organic acids: Oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, etc. Volatile oils: Various terpenoids.
Usage & Dosage
Internal use: 9–15 g in decoction (30–60 g for fresh herb). External use: Appropriate amount, fresh herb crushed and applied topically to the affected area, or decocted for washing.
Contraindications
Due to its sour and astringent nature, creeping wood sorrel has an astringent effect. It is contraindicated in early‑stage external ulcers or when the exterior pathogen has not been resolved. Use with caution in cases of spleen‑stomach deficiency cold and during pregnancy. Excessive use may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and poor appetite. During the course of medication, avoid spicy, greasy, and fatty foods. It should not be used together with Veratrum nigrum (Lilu), Sargassum (Haizao), Euphorbia kansui (Gansui), or Genkwa flos (Yuanhua).
Selected Formulas
1. For damp‑heat diarrhea and dysentery Ingredients: Fresh creeping wood sorrel 60 g, purslane (Portulaca oleracea) 30 g, plantain herb (Plantago asiatica) 15 g. Usage: Decoct in water, one dose per day, divided into two oral doses. Indications: Damp‑heat diarrhea, dysenteric abdominal pain, tenesmus. 2. For jaundice and hepatitis Ingredients: Creeping wood sorrel 15 g, yinchen (Artemisia capillaris) 15 g, zhizi (Gardenia jasminoides) 10 g, huzhang (Polygonum cuspidatum) 10 g. Usage: Decoct in water, one dose per day. Indications: Damp‑heat jaundice, acute and chronic hepatitis. 3. For traumatic injury, blood stasis and swelling Ingredients: Fresh creeping wood sorrel (appropriate amount), crush and mix with a little yellow wine, apply topically to the affected area. Usage: Change dressing once or twice daily. Indications: Traumatic injury, swelling and pain due to blood stasis. 4. For sore throat and oral ulcers Ingredients: Fresh creeping wood sorrel 30 g, crush and extract the juice, mix with an appropriate amount of honey, hold in the mouth (gargle) or swallow slowly. Usage: Several times daily. Indications: Sore throat, oral ulcers. 5. For eczema, scabies and pruritus Ingredients: Fresh creeping wood sorrel 100 g, difuzi (Kochia scoparia) 30 g, shechuangzi (Cnidium monnieri) 30 g. Usage: Decoct in water and wash the affected area 2–3 times daily. Indications: Eczema, scabies, skin itching. 6. For unidentified swellings and early‑stage boils Ingredients: Fresh creeping wood sorrel (appropriate amount), crush into a paste and apply topically. Usage: Change dressing once or twice daily. Indications: Carbuncles, boils, redness, swelling, heat and pain. 7. For snake venom poisoning (emergency) Ingredients: Fresh creeping wood sorrel and fresh Lobelia chinensis (banbianlian), in equal amounts, crush and apply externally around the wound. Usage: At the same time, take fresh creeping wood sorrel juice 30–50 ml orally. Indications: Snake venom poisoning (first aid). 8. For urinary tract infection and hematuria Ingredients: Creeping wood sorrel 15 g, baimaogen (Imperata cylindrica) 30 g, plantain herb 15 g. Usage: Decoct in water, one dose per day. Indications: Urinary tract infection, painful urination, hematuria. General precautions: Creeping wood sorrel is cold and astringent in nature. Use with caution in cases of spleen‑stomach deficiency cold and during pregnancy. Avoid in early‑stage external ulcers or when the exterior pathogen has not been resolved.
Daily Consumption
1. Raw consumption (fresh): Pick the tender leaves or root tubers (“crystal radish”), wash thoroughly, and chew directly. Try a small amount. 2. Blanching before cooking: Blanch the tender stems and leaves in boiling water for 1 minute, then soak in cold water for 2 hours to remove oxalic acid. After that, they can be used in salads, stir‑fries, soups, fillings, or pancakes. 3. Tea / beverage: Wash the leaves, steep in boiling water, and add rock sugar to taste. 4. Congee or wine infusion: The roots can be cooked into congee or steeped in wine.
Medicinal Parts
Both fresh and dried whole herb can be used medicinally.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from mold and insects.