How Do You Extract Oxalic Acid From Rhubarb Leaves?
Rhubarb is a perennial plant that is used in a number of popular recipes. Although many admire rhubarb for its tart flavor, the plant contains a harmful chemical substance known as oxalic acid. Oxalic acid reacts with nutrients within the body to cause a number of health issues, including joint pain and kidney stones. Distilling the oxalic acid from rhubarb leaves into water and then adding calcium carbonate in the form of precipitated chalk will cause the oxalic acid to form into oxalate crystals, which can then be strained from the mixture. With a digital scale, find the combined weight of your rhubarb leaves in grams. This information is used to find the proper amount of precipitated chalk to add to the juice. Crush and grind your rhubarb leaves with a large pestle on top of a cutting board. After leaves have been thoroughly ground, place them into a large pot. Wash your hands with soap and warm water afterward. Add one gallon of cold water to the large pot containing your rhubarb l
