Oxalis corniculata, Oxalidaceae
Introduction
Changeri, scientifically known as Oxalis corniculata, is a small creeping herb widely used in Ayurveda for its digestive, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. It is commonly found growing in fields, gardens, and roadsides across India. Despite being a simple plant, Changeri holds significant medicinal value in traditional healing systems.
Botanical Description
Changeri is a low-growing herb with trifoliate leaves and small yellow flowers. It spreads quickly and thrives in moist and shaded environments.
- Scientific Name: Oxalis corniculata
- Family: Oxalidaceae
- Common Names: Changeri, Indian Sorrel, Amrul, Creeping Wood Sorrel
Ayurvedic Properties
Changeri is known for its cooling and digestive-enhancing nature in Ayurveda.
- Rasa (Taste): Sour
- Guna (Qualities): Light, Dry
- Virya (Potency): Cooling
- Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Sour
- Dosha Effect: Balances Pitta and Kapha
Health Benefits
1. Improves Digestion
Changeri stimulates digestive enzymes and helps relieve indigestion, bloating, and loss of appetite. It is often used in managing Indigestion.
2. Helps in Diarrhea and Dysentery
Its astringent properties make it effective in controlling diarrhea and dysentery by reducing intestinal inflammation.
3. Anti-inflammatory Properties
Changeri helps reduce inflammation in the body, making it beneficial for joint pain and swelling.
4. Supports Liver Health
It aids in liver detoxification and improves liver function, helping in better metabolism and digestion.
5. Good for Skin Disorders
Changeri is used in treating skin conditions like itching, wounds, and minor infections due to its antimicrobial properties.
6. Helps in Urinary Disorders
Its cooling nature makes it beneficial in urinary problems like burning urination and mild infections.
7. Rich in Nutrients
Changeri contains vitamins and minerals that support overall health and immunity.
Traditional Uses in Ayurveda
- Fresh leaf juice used for digestive problems
- Paste applied externally for wounds and skin diseases
- Decoction used in diarrhea and dysentery
- Used in herbal preparations for liver and urinary health
Modern Scientific Insights
Research indicates that Changeri contains flavonoids, tannins, and antioxidants. These compounds contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and digestive-supporting effects.
How to Use Changeri
1. Fresh Juice
Extract juice from fresh leaves and consume in small quantities.
2. Decoction (Kadha)
Boil leaves in water and drink for digestive or intestinal issues.
3. Paste Application
Apply leaf paste on affected skin areas for relief from irritation or wounds.
Precautions
- Excess consumption may cause acidity due to its sour nature
- People with kidney stones should use cautiously (contains oxalates)
- Use in moderation and preferably under expert guidance
Conclusion
Changeri is a valuable yet often overlooked Ayurvedic herb with powerful digestive, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties. Its simplicity and effectiveness make it a useful natural remedy for various health conditions.
Medicinal Uses
- Diarrhoea: 15-25ml of leaves
juice of changeri is administered
twice daily bloody diarrhoea,
prolapse of rectum etc. It can
also be administered along with
butter milk for better results.
- Painful swelling: Luke warm
leaves paste of changeri used
as an external application in
the painful swelling or any
inflammation. This will provide a
cooling effect to these areas and
reduce the symptoms. - Fever: 10gms of changeri whole
plant paste boiled in 100ml of
water till it reduced to 25ml.
The decoction is taken internally
twice daily in case of fever. - Warts: Equal quantity of changeri
leaves juice and onion juice
is mixed and applied in the
areas of wart and molluscum
contagiosum. The daily use of this
will show good results. - Headache: Fine leaves paste of
changeri is applied externally over
forehead is useful in headache. - Hyperemesis gravidarum:
External application of chutney
prepared from the changeri
leaves, ground coconut, salt and
lemon juice can give relief this
condition.
Vernacular names
Assamese : Chengeritenga
Bengali : Amrul
English : Indian Sorrel
Gujarati : Ambolee, Changeri, Teen
Panaki, Rukhadi
Hindi : Tinpatiya, Changeri, Ambilosa
Kannada : Pullamouradi, Sivargee,
Purachi Soppu
Malayalam : Pulliparel
Marati : Ambutee, Ambatee, Ambti,
Bhui Sarpati
Punjabi : Khatkal, Khattibootee,
Khatmittha
Tamil : Puliyarai
Telugu : Pulichinta
Urdu : Changeri, Teen Patiya
Oxalis corniculata, the creeping woodsorrel, procumbent yellow sorrel[2] or sleeping beauty, is a somewhat delicate-appearing, low-growing herbaceous plant in the family Oxalidaceae.
Oxalis corniculata is a small creeping type of woodsorrel that tends to grow well in moist climates.[3] It resembles the common yellow woodsorrel, Oxalis stricta.
Distribution
This species probably comes from southeastern Asia.[5] It was first described by Linnaeus in 1753[6] using specimens from Italy, and it seems to have been introduced to Italy from the east before 1500.[5] It is now cosmopolitan in its distribution and is often regarded as a weed in gardens,[7] agricultural fields, and lawns.[
