Sheep Sorrel

History:

Sheep Sorrel is a hardy perennial with running rootstocks with a vigorous creeping habit that has sometimes made it a troublesome, noxious weed in lawns and gardens. The roots grow deeply and may be difficult to eradicate when well established. It is a small herb that usually grows to a maximum of one or two feet in height (much smaller than either French or Garden Sorrel) with highly acidic-tasting, lance-shaped leaves and tiny yellowish or reddish/maroon flowers that are clustered on branching stalks. The botanical genus, Rumex, is derived from the Latin word meaning "lance," referring to the shape of the plant's leaves. It thrives in damp meadows and pastures (but may also grow in gravelly places) in moist soil in sun or partial shade and fares poorly in extremely hot weather. It is often one of the first species to take hold in disturbed areas, such as abandoned mining sites, especially if the soil is acidic. Livestock will graze on the plant, but it is not very nutritious and contains oxalates, which can make the plant toxic if grazed in large amounts. It is said that Sheep Sorrel was naturalized in North America, where it grows wild, and is thought to have its origins in Europe and Asia. The herb may be found in most parts of the globe, except in the tropics, even penetrating into arctic and alpine regions. It is an acidic, astringent, cooling herb that has been used historically for the liver, kidneys and loose bowels. The esteemed herbal physician, Nicholas Culpeper recommended it as a tonic for the kidneys and urinary tract and said the plant was "exceedingly strengthening for the liver" and "as wholesome a pot herb as any" in his English Physi[t]ian Enlarged of 1653. In North America, Sheep Sorrel was an old folk therapy and was even officially recognized for such therapy by the Government of Colonial Virginia. At least ten native tribes in Canada and the United States used Sheep Sorrel in herbal recipes, and the herb was even included in the extremely controversial tea that was derived from an Ojibwa remedy called "Essiac Tea." It was developed by Rene Caisse (Essiac spelled in reverse), a nurse from Canada and employed by her for years, although there are no published clinical trials to scientifically validate the efficacy of her claims, and its use is not approved for treatment in the the United States. Before the flowers bloom, the aerial parts of the plant are harvested for both their food value and as an important ingredient in herbal preparations. As a food, Sheep Sorrel is rich in nutrients, and the fresh, young leaves are added to salads, sauces, soups and cheeses and puréed to add color and acidity to mayonnaise and to curdle milk for the making of cheese. As a vegetable, it is cooked in the same way as spinach, and the very acidic and bitter taste may be reduced by parboiling it before cooking or changing the water once during the cooking process (which reduces the taste of oxalic acid). The juice of the leaves is said to remove rust, mold and ink stains from linen and wicker, and the roots provide a dark gray dye. Some of the chemical consitituents in Sheep Sorrel include anthraquinones (emodin, aloe emodin, chrysophanol, rhein, physcion), oxalates, chlorophyll,astringent  tannins, glycosides (hyperoside, quercetin-3d-galactoside), B-vitamins, vitamins A, C, E, D, K and P, plus iron, potassium, manganese, zinc, calcium, magnesium, tartaric and oxalic acid (which gives the herb its bitter taste).

Recommended Dosage:
Take one (1) to two (2) capsules, three (3) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Children and pregnant and nursing women should not used Sheep Sorrel Herbal Supplement. The herb is not recommended for people with kidney stones, arthritis, rheumatism, endometriosis, gout and hyperacidity, since it may aggravate those conditions, due to its high acidic content. Large amounts of Sheep Sorrel (many times the recommended dosage) should be avoided, as it may result in diarrhea and renal and liver damage (from the oxalates and anthraquinones), gastroenteritis, abdominal cramps, severe diarrhea and may even be toxic. Do not take with diuretics or laxatives, as it may result in serious potassium loss. Anthraquinones can cause discoloration of the urine, interfering with urinalysis.

Capsule Information:
Our Sheep Sorrel supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.

Special Note:
If any medical terms on our website are confusing or unknown, we have compiled a small dictionary of terms for you. Click here for our Definitions, and go directly to the word in question for further information.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.