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.
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| Sorrel plant in marsh |
Closeup of marsh setting |
Sorrel by roadside |
Immature 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 from or contains sheep
sorrel weed as opposed to the hybrid sheep sorrel.
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.
