This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
What are the medicinal uses of Oxalis corniculata?
Oxalis corniculata is traditionally used to treat fever, diarrhea, and skin conditions. It is also employed for wound healing and preventing scurvy due to its high vitamin C content. The herb's astringent properties help manage digestive issues like diarrhea. While these uses are well-documented in ethnobotanical texts, the clinical evidence level is currently rated C, indicating support primarily from in vitro and animal studies rather than large-scale human trials.
How does Oxalis corniculata work medicinally?
The medicinal action of Oxalis corniculata is attributed to its active compounds, including flavonoids, tannins, oxalic acid, and vitamin C. Tannins provide astringent effects useful for wound healing and diarrhea, while flavonoids offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. The presence of vitamin C supports immune function and scurvy prevention. These mechanisms are supported by pharmacological studies (Evidence Level C), validating its traditional applications for infection and inflammation.
What is the recommended dosage for Oxalis corniculata?
The standard adult dosage for Oxalis corniculata is 3 to 5 grams of fresh herb prepared as a tea, taken twice daily. This preparation is commonly used for managing fever and digestive complaints. Due to the presence of oxalic acid, users should adhere strictly to recommended amounts and avoid long-term use without professional guidance. Dosage adjustments may be necessary for specific conditions based on individual tolerance.
Is Oxalis corniculata safe during pregnancy?
Oxalis corniculata is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb contains oxalic acid and compounds that may stimulate uterine contractions, posing a risk to fetal development. Additionally, the potential for kidney strain due to oxalate accumulation is a significant concern for pregnant individuals. Health practitioners strongly advise avoiding this herb while pregnant or breastfeeding. Safety evidence is rated Level C, based on pharmacological data and traditional contraindications.
Does Oxalis corniculata interact with medications?
Oxalis corniculata may interact with medications affecting the kidneys or mineral absorption. Because it contains oxalic acid, the herb can bind with calcium and other minerals, potentially reducing the efficacy of supplements or drugs requiring mineral co-factors. Patients taking diuretics or drugs for kidney conditions should avoid this herb due to the increased risk of kidney stone formation. Clinical interaction data is limited (Evidence Level C), so consulting a physician is recommended.
What are the side effects of Oxalis corniculata?
The primary side effect of Oxalis corniculata is the development of kidney stones with regular or excessive use. This is caused by high levels of oxalic acid, which can crystallize in the urinary tract. Individuals with existing kidney disease, kidney stones, or gout should strictly avoid this herb. While generally safe in small culinary or medicinal amounts for healthy adults, prolonged consumption increases the risk of renal damage and electrolyte imbalance.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Oxalis corniculata is a globally distributed medicinal herb known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties [PMID:34391377, 41300509, 41240331].
Background
Oxalis corniculata (Oxalidaceae), also known as creeping wood sorrel or Indian sorrel, is a small, delicate, perennial herb found in warm temperate and tropical regions, including India and Pakistan [PMID:34391377, 33889744, 37544341, 41240331]. It has a worldwide distribution and archaeobotanical evidence places its presence in south-east Asia at least 5,000 years ago [PMID:30783568].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used as food and in the management of epilepsy, gastric disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, bacterial infections, and kidney stones [PMID:38218505, 30039767]. It is also incorporated into approved Chinese patent medicines [PMID:41300509].
Active compounds
Bioactive constituents include flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, phlobatannins, steroids, phenolic acids, tannins, and polysaccharides [PMID:34391377, 41300509, 37544341, 42105471, 41240331]. Specific identified compounds include diosmin, naringenin-7-O-glucuronide, chrysophanol 8-O-glucoside, and guanosine [PMID:37544341, 39213214, 42165052].
Mechanism of action
The herb exhibits antioxidant-driven pharmacological effects [PMID:41300509]. In prostate cancer PC-3 cells, it inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis by upregulating IκBα and downregulating p-p65 and p-IκBα in the NF-κB pathway [PMID:38597700]. In fracture healing, active components target proteins such as GAPDH, TNF, and TP53 [PMID:42165052]. It also inhibits α-glucosidase and α-amylase enzymes [PMID:41752406].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DAlzheimer's disease (rat model)
Methanolic extract showed neuroprotective effects against AlCl3-induced AD [PMID:38218505]
Evidence DHepatotoxicity (rat model)
Ethanolic extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde levels and serum enzymes in paracetamol-induced liver damage [PMID:24597147]
Warm water decoction was explored for its mechanism against the condition [PMID:38639589]
Safety & adverse effects
Its use in traditional remedies and approved Chinese patent medicines underscores its safety [PMID:41300509].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, animal models, and literature reviews. There is a noted lack of clinical trials and effective pharmacological studies in humans [PMID:34391377].
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 34391377 (2022) — A Review on Phyto-pharmacology of Oxalis corniculata. · Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
2.PMID: 35054508 (2022) — Metabolomic Profiles of the Creeping Wood Sorrel Oxalis corniculata in Radioactively Contaminated Fields in Fukushima: Dose-Dependent Changes in Key Metabolites. · Life (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 34575139 (2021) — Metabolomic Response of the Creeping Wood Sorrel Oxalis corniculata to Low-Dose Radiation Exposure from Fukushima's Contaminated Soil. · Life (Basel, Switzerland)
4.PMID: 41300509 (2025) — Oxalis corniculata L. As a Source of Natural Antioxidants: Phytochemistry, Bioactivities, and Application Potential. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 29804013 (2018) — Enhancer assisted-phytoremediation of mercury-contaminated soils by Oxalis corniculata L., and rhizosphere microorganism distribution of Oxalis corniculata L.
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
Ethyl acetate fraction showed potent inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase [PMID:41752406]
· Ecotoxicology and environmental safety
6.PMID: 30783568 (2019) — The origin of Oxalis corniculata L. · PeerJ
7.PMID: 33889744 (2021) — The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Oxalis corniculata (L.). · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
8.PMID: 39213214 (2024) — Exploring the action mechanism of Oxalis corniculata L. decoction in treating osteoarthritis utilizing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology combined with network pharmacology. · Medicine
9.PMID: 36698692 (2022) — Apoptosis Effects of Oxalis corniculata L. Extract on Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line: · Galen medical journal
10.PMID: 38218505 (2024) — The potential anti-Alzheimer's activity of Oxalis corniculata Linn. Methanolic extract in experimental rats: Role of APOE4/LRP1, TLR4/NF-κβ/NLRP3, Wnt 3/β-catenin/GSK-3β, autophagy and apoptotic cues. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
11.PMID: 35579221 (2022) — An acidic polysaccharide from Oxalis corniculata L. and the preliminary study on its antioxidant activity. · Journal of food biochemistry
12.PMID: 37544341 (2024) — Diosmin: A Daboia russelii venom PLA2s inhibitor- purified, and characterized from Oxalis corniculata L medicinal plant. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
13.PMID: 34054321 (2021) — Hybridization of Oxalis corniculata and O. dillenii in their non-native range. · PhytoKeys
14.PMID: 32717796 (2020) — Complete Chloroplast Genome Characterization of Oxalis Corniculata and Its Comparison with Related Species from Family Oxalidaceae. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
15.PMID: 38639589 (2023) — [Research on the mechanism of Miao ethnicity medicine formula of Oxalis corniculata against chronic non-bacterial prostatitis]. · Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology
16.PMID: 38597700 (2023) — [Biological mechanisms of Oxalis corniculata regulating human prostate cancer PC-3 cells: An investigation based on the NF-κB pathway]. · Zhonghua nan ke xue = National journal of andrology
17.PMID: 30039767 (2018) — Antibacterial and In Vitro Growth Inhibition Study of Struvite Urinary Stones Using Oxalis corniculata Linn. Leaf Extract and its Biofabricated Silver Nanoparticles. · Recent patents on drug delivery & formulation
18.PMID: 42105471 (2026) — "Multiscale computational analysis guided discovery of a multitarget antitubercular ligand from Oxalis corniculata Linn.". · Computational biology and chemistry
20.PMID: 41752406 (2026) — Beyond α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase Inhibition: Integrated In Vitro and Multi-Scale In Silico Insights into the Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Mechanisms of Oxalis corniculata L. Aerial Parts. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
21.PMID: 24597147 (2014) — Hepatoprotective activity of Oxalis corniculata L. ethanolic extract against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats and its in vitro antioxidant effects. · Indian journal of experimental biology
22.PMID: 25873973 (2015) — Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Insecticidal Potentials of Oxalis corniculata and Its Isolated Compounds. · International journal of analytical chemistry
23.PMID: 23796759 (2015) — Amelioration of carbon tetrachloride-induced pulmonary toxicity with Oxalis corniculata. · Toxicology and industrial health
24.PMID: 37862418 (2023) — From green to red: Urban heat stress drives leaf color evolution. · Science advances
25.PMID: 39853493 (2025) — Phytochemicals that Regulate Oviposition Mistakes of Eurema mandarina on Oxalis corniculata. · Journal of chemical ecology
26.PMID: 39045239 (2024) — Isolation of bioactive compounds from low-cost agricultural resources and its utilization in daily life. · Access microbiology
27.PMID: 41240331 (2026) — Chemical Diversity and Biomedical Relevance of Oxalis corniculata L.: A Review of Nutritional and Pharmacological Aspects. · Chemistry & biodiversity