Sorrel: Large Leaf (Rumex acetosa)
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Large Leaf Sorrel, said to be the most strongly flavored of sorrels, is especially valued for its early appearance in spring; in centuries past, sorrel provided a necessary source of vitamins and nutrients after a long winter. Though not especially well known in North America, Europeans have made use of this versatile plant since the 17th century; it makes itself useful as a culinary herb, cut fresh for salads, or cooked for greens. French chefs in particular often include sorrel in their salads, soups, and sauces. Sorrel soup grew to be especially loved, and eventually Americans with a taste for this delicacy learned to make their own version with a native sorrel. Sorrel has proven health benefits including reducing fever, generalized inflammation, and preventing scurvy. This powerful plant provides a very good source of vitamins, including A, B, C, D, E, and K; however, it can be toxic in large quantities.
Scientific Name: Rumex acetosa
Also Known As: Garden Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel, Dock, Sour Dock, De Belleville Sorrel.
Native Range: Britain, Eurasia.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): June to August
Light: Full Sun.
Water: Medium
Soil Moisture: Medium. Well Drained.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: No.
Containers: Yes.
Maintenance: Low
Height: 18-24"
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/4"
USDA Zone: 3-9
Produces: large, arrow shaped green leaves.
Garden Uses: Grown in the herb or vegetable garden. Flower spikes can produce a somewhat showy effect with a large planting. Can also be grown well in containers.
Also Known As: Garden Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel, Dock, Sour Dock, De Belleville Sorrel.
Native Range: Britain, Eurasia.
Grown as: Perennial
Maturity (Blooms): June to August
Light: Full Sun.
Water: Medium
Soil Moisture: Medium. Well Drained.
Attracts Beneficial Insects?: No.
Containers: Yes.
Maintenance: Low
Height: 18-24"
Spacing: 12-15”
Sow Depth: 1/4"
USDA Zone: 3-9
Produces: large, arrow shaped green leaves.
Garden Uses: Grown in the herb or vegetable garden. Flower spikes can produce a somewhat showy effect with a large planting. Can also be grown well in containers.
Sorrel can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before the last spring frost. Sow the seed thinly 1/4" deep and press the soil down slightly to ensure good contact; germination should take place within 21 days. Transplant the seedlings in rich, well draining soil and full sun or partial shade after the last chance of frost, placing them 12-15" apart in rows 18" apart. For direct sowing, plant the seeds 4-6" apart and thin the seedlings to 12-15" apart. For a continuous harvest, sow a new crop every 2 weeks until the heat of summer. Sorrel can also be propagated by cuttings or root division.
Keep the soil rich and moist for the best tasting leaves; a layer of mulch may help keep the soil cool, control weeds, and slow bolting. Removing the developing seed stalks also slows bolting; when the plant bolts, cut it off at ground level and it will produce a new crop of leaves. Watch out for slugs, which will harm the leaves. If grown as a perennial, sorrel will need to be covered thickly over the winter for protection. In the spring of its fourth year, sorrel plants may need to be dug up and divided to continue their healthy growth.
Fresh leaves can be harvested as soon as they reach a length of 3-5". Harvest the outer leaves until the plant becomes established, when the entire plant can be cut at ground level. Small, tender leaves have the mildest flavor, while the large leaves make excellent greens when cooked; cooking greatly lessens the sharpness of the flavor. Sorrel also freezes well.
Fresh leaves can be harvested as soon as they reach a length of 3-5". Harvest the outer leaves until the plant becomes established, when the entire plant can be cut at ground level. Small, tender leaves have the mildest flavor, while the large leaves make excellent greens when cooked; cooking greatly lessens the sharpness of the flavor. Sorrel also freezes well.
Small, tender leaves have the mildest flavor, while the large leaves make excellent greens when cooked; cooking greatly lessens the sharpness of the flavor.
Leaves: raw or cooked. They make a thirst-quenching on their own, or can be added to salads, used as a potherb or pureed and used in soups. A delicious lemon-like flavor, liked by most people who try them, they can be rather overpowering in quantity and are more generally used as a flavoring in mixed salads. The leaves can also be dried for later use. The leaves can be available all through the winter, especially in mild weather or if a little protection is given to the plants. The leaves should be used sparingly in the diet. The juice of the leaves can be used as a curdling agent for milks.
Flowers: cooked as a vegetable or used as a garnish.
Root: cooked. It is dried, ground into a powder and made into noodles.
Seed: raw or cooked. Ground into a powder and mixed with other flours to make bread. The seed is easy to harvest, but is rather small and fiddly to use.
Leaves: raw or cooked. They make a thirst-quenching on their own, or can be added to salads, used as a potherb or pureed and used in soups. A delicious lemon-like flavor, liked by most people who try them, they can be rather overpowering in quantity and are more generally used as a flavoring in mixed salads. The leaves can also be dried for later use. The leaves can be available all through the winter, especially in mild weather or if a little protection is given to the plants. The leaves should be used sparingly in the diet. The juice of the leaves can be used as a curdling agent for milks.
Flowers: cooked as a vegetable or used as a garnish.
Root: cooked. It is dried, ground into a powder and made into noodles.
Seed: raw or cooked. Ground into a powder and mixed with other flours to make bread. The seed is easy to harvest, but is rather small and fiddly to use.
The fresh or dried leaves are astringent, diuretic, laxative and refrigerant. They are used to make a cooling drink in the treatment of fevers and are especially useful in the treatment of scurvy. The leaf juice, mixed with fumitory, has been used as a cure for itchy skin and ringworm. An infusion of the root is astringent, diuretic and homeostatic. It has been used in the treatment of jaundice, gravel and kidney stones. Both the roots and the seeds have been used to stem hemorrhages. A paste of the root is applied to set dislocated bones. The plant is depurative and stomachic. A homeopathic remedy is made from the plant. It is used in the treatment of spasms and skin ailments.
Project Purity Seeds can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Companion Planting
Companions: A useful garden companion, sorrel plant does well with a number of other herbs and vegetables. It also does well when planted alongside low growing crops such as strawberries. It also does well when planted with herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and sage.
Enemies: Sorrel plants struggle when planted alongside tall plants such as beans or corn. Taller plants can block out light, stunting the growth of smaller plants and herbs.
Enemies: Sorrel plants struggle when planted alongside tall plants such as beans or corn. Taller plants can block out light, stunting the growth of smaller plants and herbs.
Problems
This is a largely problem free addition to your garden. Most common garden pests will leave sorrel plants alone. Should aphids strike wash the infestation away with a blast from a hosepipe. Regularly thinning out the plants will help to make them less attractive to aphids.
Aphid infestations can be particularly problematic if left untreated. Wash away infestations as soon as you spot the pests.
Try not to overwater the plant. Overly damp soil can cause the root to rot or become diseased. During damp periods plants grown in containers can be raised off the ground onto bricks. This will help to improve drainage.
Aphid infestations can be particularly problematic if left untreated. Wash away infestations as soon as you spot the pests.
Try not to overwater the plant. Overly damp soil can cause the root to rot or become diseased. During damp periods plants grown in containers can be raised off the ground onto bricks. This will help to improve drainage.
Apart from being a leafy vegetable, it has a lot of amazing and nutritious qualities. Let’s see what health benefits are found in sorrel that makes it such a wonderful addition to your diet.
Aids in Digestion: The high content of dietary fiber that can be found in most varieties of sorrel means that your digestive health can be improved by adding these leaves to your soups and salads. Dietary fiber adds bulk to food as it moves through the digestive system, improving your gastrointestinal health and reducing conditions like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and cramping, as well as gastrointestinal issues. Dietary fiber can also help to reduce total cholesterol in the body, thereby protecting heart health, and reducing chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Regulates Blood Pressure: Sorrel has a very significant level of potassium (1 cup contains 15% of your daily recommended intake), which is an essential mineral for human health. Potassium is a vasodilator, as well as is instrumental in maintaining fluid balance throughout the body. This means that potassium reduces the stress on the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and arteries. Lowered blood pressure reduces the chances of dangerous blood clotting and excessive strain on the heart that can lead to coronary heart disease and other complications.
Prevents Cancer: Although the studies looking into the antioxidant components of sorrel are still ongoing, there is a good evidence that it contains polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, all of which function as antioxidants in the human body. The wealth of antioxidants that sorrel contains means that it is very effective at seeking out free radicals in the body and neutralizing them before they can cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous cells. Antioxidants have a wide range of effects in the body, but cancer prevention is their most high-profile benefit.
Improves Eyesight: Vitamin A, another of the essential vitamins found in sorrel, has been closely connected to the improvement in eyesight and a reduction of macular degeneration and cataracts. Beta-carotene, which is a derivative of vitamin A, acts as an antioxidant, and combined with the other important antioxidant compounds in the body, it can greatly boost eye health and prevent age-related degradation.
Circulation and Energy: The significant levels of iron in sorrel mean that it boosts the red blood cell production and prevents anemia (iron deficiency). Increased circulation boosts oxygen levels throughout the body in the vital organs, boosts hair growth, increases energy levels, and speeds up the healing process (in conjunction with the protein content of sorrel).
Boosts Immunity: The vitamin C content in sorrel is impressive (a single cup of sorrel contains 106% of your daily recommended intake), which means that your immune system can be optimized. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, stimulates the immune system and increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the first line of defense against pathogens and other foreign invaders in the body. Vitamin C also helps to reduce swelling, prevent scurvy, and even has analgesic (pain-relief) properties when consumed in high quantities.
Treats Skin Conditions: The leaves of sorrel have been used in two ways to treat skin conditions. The leaves, when dried as an herb can be eaten, and this has been connected with a reduction in ringworm and itchy, dry skin. When fresh leaves are ground up, the liquid that is extracted can be applied topically to the infected area in question to reduce rashes and irritation. This is likely due to the vitamin C and vitamin A content in the leaves, as well as the other nutraceuticals found in this herb.
Heart Health and Diabetes: Apart from the other heart-related benefits, it is important to remember that sorrel belongs to the oxalis family, which has been closely associated with improving the condition of diabetics and boosting heart health in general. Again, this is likely due to the organic compounds and anthocyanins found in sorrel, which interact with almost every system in the body to boost functionality and health.
Improves Kidney Health: Sorrel has been shown to have a diuretic effect, particularly when the leaves are dried and then consumed within a few days. As a diuretic, sorrel stimulates urination, which cleans out the kidneys, taking with it any extra toxins, salts, water, and even a certain percentage of fat.
Word of Caution: Oxalic acid is a toxin, so eating sorrel in a moderate amount is important. Also, oxalic acid contributes to the growth of kidney stones, so if that is already a health concern, you should avoid eating oxalic acid-rich foods like sorrel. Also, when cooking sorrel, do not use cast iron or aluminum cookware, as the metal will interact with oxalic acid and cause the herb to take on a very unpleasant metallic taste.
Aids in Digestion: The high content of dietary fiber that can be found in most varieties of sorrel means that your digestive health can be improved by adding these leaves to your soups and salads. Dietary fiber adds bulk to food as it moves through the digestive system, improving your gastrointestinal health and reducing conditions like constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and cramping, as well as gastrointestinal issues. Dietary fiber can also help to reduce total cholesterol in the body, thereby protecting heart health, and reducing chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Regulates Blood Pressure: Sorrel has a very significant level of potassium (1 cup contains 15% of your daily recommended intake), which is an essential mineral for human health. Potassium is a vasodilator, as well as is instrumental in maintaining fluid balance throughout the body. This means that potassium reduces the stress on the cardiovascular system by relaxing the blood vessels and arteries. Lowered blood pressure reduces the chances of dangerous blood clotting and excessive strain on the heart that can lead to coronary heart disease and other complications.
Prevents Cancer: Although the studies looking into the antioxidant components of sorrel are still ongoing, there is a good evidence that it contains polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins, all of which function as antioxidants in the human body. The wealth of antioxidants that sorrel contains means that it is very effective at seeking out free radicals in the body and neutralizing them before they can cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous cells. Antioxidants have a wide range of effects in the body, but cancer prevention is their most high-profile benefit.
Improves Eyesight: Vitamin A, another of the essential vitamins found in sorrel, has been closely connected to the improvement in eyesight and a reduction of macular degeneration and cataracts. Beta-carotene, which is a derivative of vitamin A, acts as an antioxidant, and combined with the other important antioxidant compounds in the body, it can greatly boost eye health and prevent age-related degradation.
Circulation and Energy: The significant levels of iron in sorrel mean that it boosts the red blood cell production and prevents anemia (iron deficiency). Increased circulation boosts oxygen levels throughout the body in the vital organs, boosts hair growth, increases energy levels, and speeds up the healing process (in conjunction with the protein content of sorrel).
Boosts Immunity: The vitamin C content in sorrel is impressive (a single cup of sorrel contains 106% of your daily recommended intake), which means that your immune system can be optimized. Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, stimulates the immune system and increases the white blood cell count in the body, which is the first line of defense against pathogens and other foreign invaders in the body. Vitamin C also helps to reduce swelling, prevent scurvy, and even has analgesic (pain-relief) properties when consumed in high quantities.
Treats Skin Conditions: The leaves of sorrel have been used in two ways to treat skin conditions. The leaves, when dried as an herb can be eaten, and this has been connected with a reduction in ringworm and itchy, dry skin. When fresh leaves are ground up, the liquid that is extracted can be applied topically to the infected area in question to reduce rashes and irritation. This is likely due to the vitamin C and vitamin A content in the leaves, as well as the other nutraceuticals found in this herb.
Heart Health and Diabetes: Apart from the other heart-related benefits, it is important to remember that sorrel belongs to the oxalis family, which has been closely associated with improving the condition of diabetics and boosting heart health in general. Again, this is likely due to the organic compounds and anthocyanins found in sorrel, which interact with almost every system in the body to boost functionality and health.
Improves Kidney Health: Sorrel has been shown to have a diuretic effect, particularly when the leaves are dried and then consumed within a few days. As a diuretic, sorrel stimulates urination, which cleans out the kidneys, taking with it any extra toxins, salts, water, and even a certain percentage of fat.
Word of Caution: Oxalic acid is a toxin, so eating sorrel in a moderate amount is important. Also, oxalic acid contributes to the growth of kidney stones, so if that is already a health concern, you should avoid eating oxalic acid-rich foods like sorrel. Also, when cooking sorrel, do not use cast iron or aluminum cookware, as the metal will interact with oxalic acid and cause the herb to take on a very unpleasant metallic taste.
Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots, they do not need a mordant. A grey-blue dye is obtained from the leaves and stems. An infusion of the stems is used as a polish for bamboo and wicker furniture and also for silver. The juice of the plant removes stains from linen and also ink stains (but not ball-point ink) from white material. It is sometimes sold as "essential salt of lemon".
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