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Latin Name: Rumex acetosella
Common Name: Sheep Sorrel
There are two basic types of Sheep Sorrel: Hybrid or Domestic Sheep Sorrel and Wild Sheep Sorrel. There are also two additional varieties of sorrel: Engleman's Sorrel (Rumex hastatulus), very similar but taller, and Green Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is taller still, with leaves 4” to 6" (10 to 15 cm) long
Wild Sheep Sorrel has tiny leaves which are bitter to the taste. Hybrid Sheep Sorrel has large leaves and is used in garden salads.
Hybrid sheep sorrel should not be used in essiac. Several manufacturers use hybrid sheep sorrel in place of the weed version. Hybrid sheep sorrel is still sheep sorrel but it is very weak in comparison to the weed sheep sorrel.
Note: The two sheep sorrels have the same name but are very different. Legally people using Hybrid sheep sorrel can still call it sheep sorrel and not tell you it is the weaker version in their product.
Description: A sour tasting weed with distinctive arrowhead shaped leaves and long, spike-like clusters of tiny, reddish or greenish flowers; male and female flowers are on separate plants
The clusters of tiny reddish flowers and the leaves (up to 2 in.) shaped like spear heads characterize the sheep sorrel, a perennial weed. Sheep sorrel grows up to one foot in height.
Flowers: about 1/12" (2 mm) long, in clusters up to 1/2 the length of the stem. Calyx 6-parted; petals absent.
Male flowers nodding on short, jointed stalks.
Female flowers with fruit protruding from deciduous sepals.
Leaves: 3/4_2" (2_5 cm) long.
Fruit: seedlike, shiny golden brown.
Height: 6 to 12" (15_30 cm).
This vigorous, perennial weed, with running rootstalks, is especially favored by acid soils low in nutrients. In pure stands the flowers are sufficiently showy to be attractive, and bees and small butterflies serve as pollinators. The seeds are eaten by ground feeding songbirds and the leaves, or even whole plants, by rabbits and deer.
Medicinal Herbs from Canada tend to have a stronger potency. Speculation is that the harsher climate in Canada produces hardier, more potent herbs.
Sheep sorrel is a very important component in an ancient native North American herbal decoction, usually available as either powder to brew a tea from or as a liquid tonic itself. It is known variously by many names, but most commonly as Essiac. The basic Essiac Ingredients are.
1. Burdock Root (Arctium lappa),
2. Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
3. Slippery Elm (Ulmus fulva)
4. Turkey Rhubarb (Rheum palmatum).
Make sure your version of Essiac is made or contains sheep sorrel weed.
Disclaimer: This article in no way should be taken as “medical advice” on any product, condition or course of action, nor does it constitute in any way “medical advice” endorsing any specific product, specific result, nor any possible cure for any condition or problem. This article is meant as a source of information upon which you may base your decision as to whether or not you should begin using any vitamin, mineral and/or herbal supplement for better health, or begin using a “greens” product as a dietary supplement.
If in doubt, or if you have questions, you should consult your physician and, if possible, consult a second physician for a possible different opinion. The author does not bear any responsibility for your decisions nor for the outcome of your actions based upon those decisions.
About the Author
About the Author:
Loring Windblad has studied nutrition and exercise for more than 40 years, is a published author and freelance writer.
This article is Copyright 2005 by http://www.organicgreens.us, http://www.organicgreens.ca and Loring Windblad. This article may be freely copied and used on other web sites only if it is copied complete with all links and text, including the Authors Resource Box, intact and unchanged.
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