In my town, Surabaya, “semanggi” is a name of traditional food made from boiled Semanggi (Oxalis corniculata L, Cu jiang cao, a kind of wild grass) leaves, served with sauce and cassava crisp. It is usually sold by a woman walks door to door throughout the town.Yesterday I found an article about its use as herbal remedy. It is said that 600 ml of water boiled with 30-40 grams semanggi leaves on small fire until remains 200 ml, drunk twice a day (100 ml each) can cure chronic hepatitis. It also cures diarrhea, and as gargle cures sprue and other mouth infections.
There are many other uses of Oxalis corniculata. If fresh oxalis herbs are pulverized and dabbed, it can cure wounds, eczema, abscess, scabbies, singe, prickly heat, and insect bites. It is said that drinking the mix of the fresh herbs extract and honey can stop haemorrahage. You can also treat ureter stone by heating 60 grams of fresh oxalis herbs and 60 ml of arak manis until remains a half. Divide it into three dosages daily.
It means, I must eat “semanggi” more regularly. I will.
