“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.” (Genesis 1:29)
As with many of the plants I feature on this website, Yellow Wood Sorrel is often regarded as a weed (hence, the title I use whenever I write about a plant, or herb). Most gardeners consider it a scourge because the roots go pretty deep and it can be difficult to get rid of. However, as with most “weeds”, I let it stay.
Yes, you know this one. It is often mistaken for a clover because of the similar, shamrock-y leaves. Oxalis stricta, however, is in the Oxalideae family, not the Fabaceae family–or bean family–as clover is, so they’re not even cousins. Interestingly, they can both fix nitrogen in your soil so not a bad thing to have in your garden. Like clover, wood sorrel also helps eliminate soil erosion by providing a natural ground cover that helps retain moisture. Even an obnoxious “weed” has its function.
Wood sorrel’s main claim to medicinal use is its help at reducing fever and inflammation. It increases the flow of urine and is particularly effective at treating urinary complaints. It may also help externally for treating eye complaints and scrofulous ulcers (de Bairacli-Levy 166). And, while Ms. de Bairacli-Levy writes this in a herbal for animals, it has the same effect on humans.
Renowned herbalist, Juliette de Bairacli-Levy, goes on to say that “goats and sheep seek its foliage, enjoying its refrigerant properties” (166). I, too, enjoy nibbling a few leaves whenever I’m working outside on a hot summer day. Yellow wood sorrel is a wild edible. It has a tart, lemony flavor that adds a nice punch to a salad or sandwich. If you haven’t guessed by its name, yellow wood sorrel has oxalic acid in it, which gives it its tart flavor. Many of our dark leafy greens, like spinach, beet greens, and Swiss chard also contain oxalic acid. As with anything, moderation is the key. Large quantities of yellow wood sorrel is said to lead to kidney stones (Taylor 1), but the same is also true of spinach, especially in sensitive individuals (Spritzler 1). Yellow wood sorrel also has some toxic, lookalike cousins so be sure of identification before consuming (Taylor 1).
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
May God bless you & keep you!
Works Cited
de Bairacli-Levy, Juliette. The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable. Faber and Faber Limited, 1952.
Miller. “Yellow Wood Sorrel.” Pere Marquette Rail Trail Wildflowers, n.d. Image. https://www.peremarquettewildflowers.com/flower/yellow-wood-sorrel
Spritzler, Franziska. “Oxalate (Oxalic Acid): Good or Bad?” Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/oxalate-good-or-bad
Taylor, David. “Common Yellow Wood Sorrel (Oxalis stricta).” Plant of the Week, USDA, n.d. https://fs.usda.gov/wildflowers
The Herbal Hare Tomestead and Animal Sanctuary 
Very interesting! Thanks!
You’re very welcome! =)