Sheep Sorrel(Rumex acetosella)
Other Names:
Red Sorrel, Sour Weed, Field Sorrel
Range:
Family:
Polygonaceae – Knotweed family
Growth Type:
An upright Herbaceous Perennial plant
Height:
Reaching a height of 18 inches
Leaves:
The arrow-shaped leaves are simple, and smooth with a pair of horizontal lobes at base. The leaves look similar to a sheep's face, with the lobes being the ears. This appearance is how the plant receives it's common name.
Stem/Trunk:
An upright stem that is slender and reddish in color, and branched at top, reaching a height of 18 inches
Root:
Spreading roots
Flower Season:
Flowers from March to November
Flower Appearance:
Yellowish-green flowers (male) or reddish (female) flowers develop on separate plants, at the apex of the stem.
Seed/Fruit:
Seed pods. Each plant produces many small seeds
Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A
Habitat:
Fields, grasslands, and woodlands. It favors moist soil, so it thrives in floodplain, and near marshes.
Parts Used:
Entire plant
Culinary Uses:
Enjoy leaves in salads, as a trail nibble, or in soups. try to collect leaves at the basal rosette stage. The leaves can be eaten from spring through autumn, but the leaves on the flowered plant are smaller than those of the basal rosette stage.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Sour
Thermal: Warming
Humidity: Drying
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
A tea or tincture made from the plant was traditionally used for fevers, inflammation, and scurvy. Fresh leaves are considered cooling, and a diuretic. The leaves can be roasted, then poulticed for tumors, and sebaceous cysts. Root tea used for diarrhea, and excessive menstrual bleeding. Sheep Sorrel is used in the anti-cancer Essiac formula. Sheep Sorrel is rich in cancer preventative vitamins, and includes four antimutagenic, and four antioxidant compounds.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Antidiarrheal,
Anti-Inflammatory,
Antimutagenic,
Antineoplastic,
Antioxidant,
Diuretic,
Emmenagogue,
Febrifuge
Herbal Preparations For Rumex acetosella
Tea
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Fresh or dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped leaves, or 1 tsp of dried leaves in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: One mug as needed.
Infusion
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Fresh
Place 2 ounces of the fresh chopped leaves into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 45-90 drops up to 3 times daily
