Changeri Plant Latin name Oxalis corniculata is a herbaceous and perennial herb with primary slender roots. Changeri is low growing creeping weed often found in gardens, waste lands, and hedges and roadsides. Branches of Changeri plant lie on the ground and start rooting to form new plant. This plant grows up to height of 30cm with erect and creeping branches; stem is narrow and creeping, about 40cm in length. Roots of this Oxalis corniculata plant are branched and fibrous covered with small hairs.
It contains three heart shaped leaflets that are joined to a long petiole. Leaves are about 4-12mm long and 10-20mm broad. Yellow flowers of the plant grow in cluster of 1-6 petals that are about 10-20mm long. Fruits are 1-2cm long and are cylindrical capsules. Seeds are rough, egg shaped, flattened and dark red in color. Flowering season of this plant is from July to December
Habitat
Oxalis is mainly native to Hawaii and south Europe. It is found in tropical regions of America. In Asia it is found in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, china, Indonesia, Taiwan and japan. In India it is mostly found in open gardens, grasslands, riversides, mountains, wastelands and roadsides.
Classification
Vernacular Names
- English– Yellow wood sorrel, Creeping wood sorrel, Creeping oxalis, creeping lady’s sorrel, Procumbent yellow sorrel
- Hindi– Amrul, Changeri
- Bengali– Amrul
- Guajarati– Ambolee, Changeri
- Kannada– Pullamouradi, Sivargee
- Malayalam – Pulliparel
- Marathi– Ambutee, Ambatee
- Tamil– Paliakiri
- Telugu– Pulichinta
- Urdu– Teen patiya, Changeri
- Arabic– Hhamdid
- French– Alleluia, Oxalis cornicluee
- German– Gelber saurerklee, Gehornter sauerklee
- Italian– Ossalide corniculata
- Nepalese– Caremalaa
- Portuguese - Azedinha, Erva-azedo
- Spanish– Acederilla, Vinagrera
- Turkish– Eksi yonca
- Brazil– Trevo-azedo
- Chinese– Cu-jiang-cao
- Fiji– Matakonikoni
- Philippines– Salamagi, Kanapa
- Sweden– Krpoxalis
Ayurvedic Properties of Changeri
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Hindi / Sanskrit
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English
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Rasa
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Amla, Kashaya
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Taste
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Sour, Astringent
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Guna
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Laghu, Rooksha
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Physical Property
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Light, Dry
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Virya
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Ushna
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Potency
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Hot
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Vipaka
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Amla
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Metabolic Property (After Digestion)
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Sour
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Effects on Doshas
It balances vata and Kapha doshas.
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Charak Samhita
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Sushrut Samhita and Vagbhata
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Shaak varga
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Shaak varga
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Practical uses from Oxalis corniculata
- Oxalis is best herb rich in vitamin-C and it is best used in the treatment of scurvy.
- This herb is very beneficial for treating influenza.
- External paste of leaves is used as antidote for the poisoning caused by snake bites, datura, mercury and arsenic.
- Leaf extract or juice is used for treating burns, insect bites and various skin eruptions. It is also beneficial for various skin disorders like warts, corns, inflammation and boils. Leaf juice is mixed with onion extract to remove warts.
- Decoction of this herb is used for gargles.
- Infusion of leaves is used to cure irritation of eyes and opacity of cornea.
- This herb is anthelminthic in nature and it is used in infants to get rid of hookworms and it is also used to cure enteritis.
- Leaf juice of this herb is used in the treatment of jaundice and it is very effective to cure symptom of diabetes i.e. poly-hydra.
- Infusion of leaves of this herb is used for treating low grade and high grade fevers.
- Leaf paste is applied over forehead externally to relieve headaches. Crushed leaves are used to reduce inflammation.
- Leaf extract mixed with oil and its local massage is used in relieving insomnia.
- Aqueous extract of this herb is cardio-protective in nature and it is very beneficial for overall health.
- It is used in the pacification of vata and kapha dosha.
Parts used
- Changeri Leaves
- Changeri Flowers
Dosage
Caution
- Oxalic acid present in leaves gives sharp flavor and this oxalic acid helps to bind up the proper supply of calcium. So sufferers of gout, rheumatism and hyperacidity should restrict intake of this herb.
