Introduction

Rumex vasicarius, commonly known as Khatta Palak (sour dock), is a small herb widely used as both a vegetable and a medicinal plant in traditional (Unani) medicine. It is known for its cooling, liver-tonic, and digestive properties.

Morphology (Plant Description)

Plant

• Height: 6–12 inches
• Grows in moist areas such as:
  • Canal banks
  • River sides
  • Ponds and wetlands

Leaves

• Length: 1–2 inches
• Shape: Round
• Taste: Sour
• Commonly used as a vegetable (saag)

Flowers

• Small, round and white

Fruits & Seeds

• Fruits:
  • Small
  • White or reddish
• Seeds:
  • Small
  • Black, shiny, sometimes reddish
• Commonly called sour seeds

Varieties

• Amarula (small variety)
• Another variety:
  • Leaves broad like Bartang
  • Shape similar to beetroot leaves

Habitat

• Commonly found in:
  • Moist lands
  • Near water bodies (canals, rivers, ponds)

Chemical Composition

• Fresh plant:
  • About 92% water
• Dry plant contains:
  • Ether extract
  • Nitrogen compounds
  • Carbohydrates (~75%)
  • Fiber (wood content)
  • Mineral salts
• Roots contain compounds similar to chrysophanic acid, having medicinal activity

Temperament (Mizaj)

• Cold in 1st degree
• Dry in 2nd degree

Pharmacological Actions

• Musakkin (pain reliever)
• Mubarrid (cooling agent)
• Qabiz (astringent)
• Muqawwi-e-Jigar (liver tonic)
• Habis (constipating effect)
• Dafi-e-Safra (reduces bile)

Medicinal Uses

1. Toothache

• Chewing leaves or using juice:
  • Provides quick relief from tooth pain

2. Insect & Wasp Bites

• Paste of leaves applied locally:
  • Reduces pain and toxicity
  • Acts as a natural antidote

3. Digestive Disorders

• Useful in:
  • Bilious diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
• Helps:
  • Reduce excess bile (Safra)
  • Improve digestion

4. Liver Disorders

• Strengthens:
  • Hot liver
• Beneficial in:
  • Jaundice

5. Thirst & Heat Conditions

• Due to cooling effect:
  • Quenches thirst
  • Reduces internal heat

6. Gynecological Uses

• Helpful in:
  • Heavy menstruation
  • Uterine discharge

7. Constipation

• Has mild constipating (astringent) effect, useful in loose motions

Special Benefit

• Highly effective for:
  • Hot liver conditions
  • Jaundice

Dosage

• 3–5 tolas (with water or as extract)

Sorrel Seeds (Seeds of Rumex vasicarius)

Introduction

Sorrel seeds, obtained from Rumex vasicarius (Khatta Palak), are used in Unani medicine for their cooling, astringent, and digestive properties. They are especially beneficial in intestinal and bilious disorders.

Temperament (Mizaj)

• Cold in 1st degree
• Dry in 2nd degree

Pharmacological Actions

• Mubarrid (heat-reducing)
• Qabiz (astringent)
• Dafi-e-Safra (reduces bile)

Medicinal Uses

1. Intestinal Disorders

• Useful in:
  • Indigestion
  • Intestinal ulcers
• Often used with:
  • Aspaghul (Ispaghol)
  • Bartang seeds
• Helps soothe and protect intestinal lining

2. Diarrhea & Dysentery

• Effective in:
  • Diarrhea
  • Dysentery
• Due to its astringent action, it:
  • Reduces excessive bowel movements
  • Strengthens intestines

3. Bilious Disorders

• Helps in:
  • Jaundice
  • Bilious fever / heat conditions
  • Inflammation of bile ducts
• Reduces:
  • Excess Safra (bile)

4. Heat Conditions

• Provides relief in:
  • Hot flushes
  • Internal heat and irritation

Special Benefit

• Strong Safra (bile) reducing effect

Dosage

• 3–5 grams

Compound Formulations

Used in:

• Safuf Tain
• Hamad Syrup