Plant Comparison
Turmeric vs Common yellow woodsorrel
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Turmeric and Common yellow woodsorrel: they share 6 indicated uses (blood sugar / diabetes support, cancer (anticancer research), indigestion, …); 6 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Turmeric | Common yellow woodsorrel | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar / diabetes support | 3/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 1/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Indigestion | 3/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 3/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Inflammation (general) | 3/10 | 8/10 | Stronger for Common yellow woodsorrel |
| Wounds | 3/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The principal yellow-orange pigments and best-studied bioactive compounds, responsible for most of turmeric's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity; oral bioavailability is low unless combined with piperine or a lipid carrier.
Aromatic sesquiterpenes (including turmerone) contributing to fragrance and additional bioactivity.
Flavonoid glycosides (e.g. isovitexin, vitexin, quercetin and apigenin derivatives), the main antioxidant constituents.
Caffeic, ferulic and related phenolic acids (antioxidant).
The defining sour constituent - oxalic acid with potassium and calcium oxalates - biosynthesised in part from vitamin C. Responsible for the sour taste and for the kidney-stone/oxalate caution.
High ascorbate content (basis of the traditional antiscorbutic use); also a metabolic precursor of the plant's oxalic acid.
Pharmacological Actions
Antibacterial and antiparasitic (amoebicidal/giardicidal) activity of woodsorrel extracts/constituents.
Protective against paracetamol-induced liver injury (congener O. corniculata).
Protective against experimental gastric ulceration (congener O. corniculata).
Woodsorrel phytoconstituents (and a green-synthesised nanoparticle made with O. stricta extract) induced apoptosis in breast, colon and Hep2 cancer cells (preclinical).
Alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibition by woodsorrel extract (congener O. corniculata).
Anti-Alzheimer's activity of woodsorrel extract in rats (congener O. corniculata).
Promotes wound and fracture healing; traditional topical use for wounds and skin (congener O. corniculata).
Sour, tannin-containing herb; the basis of traditional antidiarrhoeal use.
Traditional astringent remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery (congener O. corniculata).
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from gastroprotective action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from antidiabetic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anticancer action
Hepatoprotective in animal models (congener).
Traditional astringent remedy for diarrhoea and dysentery.
inferred from antimicrobial/antiparasitic action
Promotes wound/fracture healing; traditional topical use.
Alpha-glucosidase/amylase inhibition (congener).
inferred from anti-Alzheimer's / neuroprotective action (congener)
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally very safe in culinary quantities. High-dose curcumin supplements may cause gastrointestinal upset. May interact with anticoagulants (warfarin), antidiabetic drugs, and acid-suppressing medications. Avoid very high doses during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Rarely causes allergic reactions.
Duke (2002) rates turmeric as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for anti-inflammatory activity, consistent with Commission E and WHO approvals. Curcumin is the primary bioactive compound with well-documented anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aggregant, and hepatoprotective effects. Duke notes Commission E approval for dyspeptic complaints. Dose: 1.5–3 g dried rhizome powder daily. A major pharmacological consideration is bioavailability: curcumin alone has low absorption, but combining with piperine (black pepper) increases bioavailability by up to 2000%. Contraindicated in bile duct obstruction; use with caution in gallstones and during pregnancy at medicinal doses (Duke, 2002).
Yellow woodsorrel is RICH IN OXALIC ACID and soluble oxalates (the source of its sour taste). Avoid large or frequent quantities, and especially avoid it if you are prone to calcium-oxalate kidney stones, have gout, or have kidney disease. Oxalates also bind calcium and iron, reducing their absorption. Use only modest amounts, and cooking reduces soluble oxalate.
Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established; avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy and lactation.
External Ids
Botanical Description
Rhizomatous perennial herb with large, broad, lance-shaped leaves arising directly from the underground rhizome in a clump. Pale yellow flowers are borne in a dense spike partly hidden among pale green to pink upper bracts. The branching, knobbly rhizome has a bright orange-yellow interior, the source of turmeric spice and dye.[1]
A small, sour-tasting herbaceous annual to short-lived perennial of the woodsorrel family, 10-40 cm tall. Its bright green leaves are clover-like, palmately divided into three heart-shaped (notched) leaflets that fold down at night and in strong sun. The small five-petalled flowers are bright yellow, borne in little clusters on axillary stalks. The whole plant tastes sharply sour from its oxalic-acid content. It is very similar to the creeping yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis corniculata) but has more upright stems that do not root at the nodes, and generally green (not purplish) foliage.[3]
Habitat
Native to South Asia (India) and Southeast Asia; cultivated extensively in warm, humid tropical climates on well-drained, fertile soils.
A common weed of disturbed, open and cultivated ground: gardens, lawns, arable fields, roadsides, footpaths, waste places and greenhouses. It favours moist, fertile, well-lit soils and is excluded by dense established vegetation. Native to North America but now naturalised almost worldwide across temperate and warm regions.[3]
Harvesting
The rhizomes are dug at the end of the growing season, typically 8-10 months after planting, when the leaves have died back; they are cleaned, boiled or steamed, then dried and often ground into the familiar yellow powder.
The sour leaves and aerial parts are gathered when actively growing and flowering, used fresh or dried. Because the plant accumulates oxalic acid, harvesting for food or medicine should favour young growth in modest quantities. As a low weed it is easily hand-gathered.[3]
Traditional Uses
Turmeric rhizome is a cornerstone spice and medicine of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, used for millennia as an anti-inflammatory, digestive and wound-healing remedy and valued as a golden dye; its curcuminoid-rich rhizome is now among the most extensively researched botanicals for inflammatory and joint conditions, directly building on this traditional reputation.[1, 13]
Yellow woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta and its near-identical relative O. corniculata) has a long folk-medicine history, deepest in South and East Asian traditions. The cooling, sour whole plant has been used as a refrigerant and thirst-quencher, as a sour leafy vegetable/condiment, and as a source of vitamin C against scurvy. Traditional medicinal uses (chiefly documented for O. corniculata) include dysentery and diarrhoea and other digestive complaints, fever, liver complaints, and topical application of the crushed leaves or juice to wounds, insect bites, warts, corns, mouth sores and inflamed skin, as well as use as a mild diuretic. O. stricta shares these uses where the two woodsorrels are not distinguished.[3, 4]
Preparations
Rhizome extract standardised to curcuminoid content, often combined with piperine (black pepper extract) to improve absorption, taken as capsules; the form used in most clinical arthritis and inflammation studies.
Crushed fresh leaves or expressed juice applied topically to wounds, insect bites, warts and inflamed skin, or taken in small amounts for its cooling sour effect.
A whole-plant or leaf infusion/decoction used traditionally for fevers, diarrhoea and as a mild diuretic.
Young leaves eaten raw in small quantities as a tart salad green or to add sourness to food (edible 'sourgrass').
Dosage
Clinical trials in arthritis commonly use around 1000-1500 mg of curcumin (or curcuminoid-standardised extract) daily, in divided doses, often combined with piperine. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Not documented
References
Drug Class Interactions
Lookalikes Review
Synonyms
Not documented
References & Sources
- Zeng, L., Yang, T., Yang, K., Yu, G. et al (2022) 'Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin and Curcuma longa Extract in the Treatment of Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials', Frontiers in Immunology, 13, pp. 891822. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.891822 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.891822 - Zeng, L., Yu, G., Hao, W., Yang, K. and Chen, H (2021) 'The efficacy and safety of Curcuma longa extract and curcumin supplements on osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Bioscience Reports, 41(6), pp. BSR20210817. doi:10.1042/BSR20210817 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20210817 - Marton, L.T., Pescinini-E-Salzedas, L.M., Camargo, M.E.C., Barbalho, S.M. et al (2021) 'The Effects of Curcumin on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review', Frontiers in Endocrinology, 12, pp. 669448. doi:10.3389/fendo.2021.669448 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.669448 - Kocaadam, B. and Sanlier, N (2017) 'Curcumin, an active component of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and its effects on health', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 57(13), pp. 2889-2895. doi:10.1080/10408398.2015.1077195 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2015.1077195 - Vaughn, A.R., Branum, A. and Sivamani, R.K (2016) 'Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on skin health: a systematic review of the clinical evidence', Phytotherapy Research, 30(8), pp. 1243-1264. doi:10.1002/ptr.5640 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5640 - Soleimani, V., Sahebkar, A. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2018) 'Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its major constituent (curcumin) as nontoxic and safe substances: review', Phytotherapy Research, 32(6), pp. 985-995. doi:10.1002/ptr.6054 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6054 - Zeng, L., Yang, T., Yang, K., Yu, G., Li, J., Xiang, W. and Chen, H (2022) 'Curcumin and Curcuma longa extract in the treatment of 10 types of autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 randomized controlled trials', Frontiers in Immunology, 13, pp. 896476. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.896476 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.896476 - Razavi, B.M., Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2021) 'A review of therapeutic potentials of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and its active constituent, curcumin, on inflammatory disorders, pain, and their related patents', Phytotherapy Research, 35(12), pp. 6489-6513. doi:10.1002/ptr.7224 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7224 - Memarzia, A., Khazdair, M.R., Behrouz, S., Gholamnezhad, Z., Jafarnezhad, M., Saadat, S. and Boskabady, M.H (2021) 'Experimental and clinical reports on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma longa and curcumin, an updated and comprehensive review', BioFactors, 47(3), pp. 311-350. doi:10.1002/biof.1716 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.1716 - Jurenka, J.S (2009) 'Anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin, a major constituent of Curcuma longa: a review of preclinical and clinical research', Alternative Medicine Review, 14(2), pp. 141-153. Meta-analysis / review
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Anti-inflammatory%20properties%20of%20curcumin%2C%20a%20major%20constituent%20of%20Curcuma%20longa%3A%20a%20review%20of%20preclinical%20and%20clinical%20research - Hosseini, A. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2018) 'Antidotal or protective effects of Curcuma longa (turmeric) and its active ingredient, curcumin, against natural and chemical toxicities: a review', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 99, pp. 411-421. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.072 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.072 - Araujo, C.C. and Leon, L.L (2001) 'Biological activities of Curcuma longa L', Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, 96(5), pp. 723-728. doi:10.1590/s0074-02762001000500026 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1590/s0074-02762001000500026 - Aggarwal, B.B. and Harikumar, K.B (2009) 'Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin, the anti-inflammatory agent, against neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases', 41(1), pp. 40--59. doi:10.1016/j.biocel.2008.06.010 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2008.06.010 - Shoba, G. et al (1998) 'Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers', 64(4), pp. 353--356. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957450 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957450 - WHO (1999) 'WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=WHO%20Monographs%20on%20Selected%20Medicinal%20Plants - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Liu, A.C., Zhao, L.X. and Lou, H.X (2013) 'Curcumin alters the pharmacokinetics of warfarin and clopidogrel in Wistar rats but has no effect on anticoagulation or antiplatelet aggregation', Planta Medica, 79(11), pp. 971-977. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1328652 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1328652 - Tian, J., Feng, B. and Tian, Z (2022) 'The Effect of Curcumin on Lipid Profile and Glycemic Status of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022, pp. 8278744. doi:10.1155/2022/8278744 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/8278744 - Willcox, M.L., Elugbaju, C., Al-Anbaki, M., Lown, M. and Graz, B (2021) 'Effectiveness of Medicinal Plants for Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: An Overview of Meta-Analyses of Clinical Trials', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12, pp. 777561. doi:10.3389/fphar.2021.777561 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.777561 - Altobelli, E., Angeletti, P.M., Marziliano, C., Mastrodomenico, M., Giuliani, A.R. and Petrocelli, R (2021) 'Potential therapeutic effects of curcumin on glycemic and lipid profile in uncomplicated type 2 diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials', Nutrients, 13(2), pp. 404. doi:10.3390/nu13020404 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13020404
- Yang, J.C. and Loewus, F.A (1975) 'Metabolic Conversion of L-Ascorbic Acid to Oxalic Acid in Oxalate-accumulating Plants', Plant Physiology, 56(2), pp. 283-285. doi:10.1104/pp.56.2.283 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.56.2.283 - Chandramohan, S. and Nair, A.S. and Das, R. and Bhat, S.A. and Krishna, G.S. and Yadav, N. and Archana, V.K. and Rajagopalan, R (2025) 'Biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Oxalis stricta and its effect on colon cancer: an in vitro and in silico approach', Biometals, 38(4), pp. 1355-1380. doi:10.1007/s10534-025-00710-9 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-025-00710-9 - Majumdar, A. and Kumar Saraf, S. and Baghel, M. and Rao, S.P (2025) 'Chemical Diversity and Biomedical Relevance of Oxalis corniculata L.: A Review of Nutritional and Pharmacological Aspects', Chemistry and Biodiversity, 23(1), pp. e02154. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202502154 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202502154 - Sarfraz, I. and Rasul, A. and Hussain, G. and Shah, M.A. and Nageen, B. and Jabeen, F. and Selamoglu, Z. and Ucak, I. and Asrar, M. and Adem, S (2022) 'A Review on Phyto-pharmacology of Oxalis corniculata', Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput Screening, 25(7), pp. 1181-1186. doi:10.2174/1386207324666210813121431 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1386207324666210813121431 - Sreejith, G. and Jayasree, M. and Latha, P.G. and Suja, S.R. and Shyamal, S. and Shine, V.J. and Anuja, G.I. and Sini, S. and Shikha, P. and Krishnakumar, N.M. and Vilash, V. and Shoumya, S. and Rajasekharan, S (2014) 'Hepatoprotective activity of Oxalis corniculata L. ethanolic extract against paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats and its in vitro antioxidant effects', Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 52(2), pp. 147-152. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Hepatoprotective%20activity%20of%20Oxalis%20corniculata%20L.%20ethanolic%20extract%20against%20paracetamol%20induced%20hepatotoxicity%20in%20Wistar%20rats%20and%20its%20in%20vitro%20antioxidant%20effects - Sakat, S.S. and Tupe, P. and Juvekar, A (2012) 'Gastroprotective Effect of Oxalis corniculata (Whole Plant) on Experimentally Induced Gastric Ulceration in Wistar Rats', Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 74(1), pp. 48-53. doi:10.4103/0250-474X.102543 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4103/0250-474X.102543 - Gholipour, A.R. and Jafari, L. and Ramezanpour, M. and Evazalipour, M. and Chavoshi, M. and Yousefbeyk, F. and Kargar Moghaddam, S.J. and Yekta Kooshali, M.H. and Ramezanpour, N. and Daei, P. and Ghasemi, S. and Hamidi, M (2022) 'Apoptosis Effects of Oxalis corniculata L. Extract on Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line', Galen Medical Journal, 11, pp. e2484. doi:10.31661/gmj.v11i.2484 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.31661/gmj.v11i.2484 - Zhang, J. and Zhao, X. and Long, X. and Zhang, Y. and Luo, X. and Shen, W (2026) 'Oxalis corniculata L. Ethanol Extract Promotes Fracture Healing: Integrated Omics and Experimental Validation', Food Science and Nutrition, 14, pp. e71896. doi:10.1002/fsn3.71896 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.71896 - Ullah, I. and Shad Bibi, N. and Sadiq, A. and Niazy, B. and Hesam, A.M (2026) 'In vitro studies of phytochemical, antioxidant, antibacterial and enzymatic inhibition of Oxalis corniculata whole plant from South Waziristan, Pakistan', PLoS One, 21(5), pp. e0335026. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0335026 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0335026 - Gao, T. and Hu, W. and Zhang, Z. and Tang, Z. and Chen, Y. and Zhang, Z. and Yuan, S. and Chen, T. and Huang, Y. and Feng, S. and Zhou, L. and Ding, C. and Yuan, M (2022) 'An acidic polysaccharide from Oxalis corniculata L. and the preliminary study on its antioxidant activity', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 46(9), pp. e14235. doi:10.1111/jfbc.14235 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14235 - Golbarg, H. and Mehdipour Moghaddam, M.J (2021) 'Antibacterial Potency of Medicinal Plants Including Oxalis corniculata against Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria', BioMed Research International, 2021, pp. 9981915. doi:10.1155/2021/9981915 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/9981915 - Manna, D. and Dutta, P.K. and Achari, B. and Lohia, A (2010) 'A novel galacto-glycerolipid from Oxalis corniculata kills Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia', Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 54(11), pp. 4825-4832. doi:10.1128/AAC.00546-10 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.00546-10 - Abu-Elfotuh, K. and Hamdan, A.M.E. and Mohamed, S.A. and Bakr, R.O. and Ahmed, A.H. and Atwa, A.M. and Hamdan, A.M. and Alanzai, A.G. and Alnahhas, R.K. and Gowifel, A.M.H. and Salem, M.A (2024) 'The potential anti-Alzheimer's activity of Oxalis corniculata Linn. methanolic extract in experimental rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 324, pp. 117731. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.117731 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.117731 - Nguyen, T. and Quy, D.Q. and Tung, N.T. and Huyen, N.T. and Minh, P.L. and Huyen, N.T.M. and Ho, T. and Ha, N.T.T. and Casanola-Martin, G.M. and Rasulev, B. and Pham-The, H (2026) 'Integrated In Vitro and In Silico Insights into the Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Mechanisms of Oxalis corniculata L. Aerial Parts', Molecules, 31(4), pp. 630. doi:10.3390/molecules31040630 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31040630 - Salahuddin, H. and Mansoor, Q. and Batool, R. and Farooqi, A.A. and Mahmood, T. and Ismail, M (2016) 'Anticancer activity of Cynodon dactylon and Oxalis corniculata on Hep2 cell line', Cellular and Molecular Biology, 62(5), pp. 60-63. Preclinical
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Anticancer%20activity%20of%20Cynodon%20dactylon%20and%20Oxalis%20corniculata%20on%20Hep2%20cell%20line
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.