Practical
Plants

Rumex acetosella

Sheeps Sorrel

a perennial member of the Rumex genus in the family Polygonaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Rumex
Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.3 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Wind
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can contain quite high levels of oxalic acid, which is what gives the leaves of many members of this genus an acid-lemon flavour. Perfectly alright in small quantities, the leaves should not be eaten in large amounts since the oxalic acid can lock-up other nutrients in the food, especially calcium, thus causing mineral deficiencies. The oxalic acid content will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition[10].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Leaves - raw or cooked[15][3][16][17][7]. A delicious lemon-like flavour, most people consider them too strong to use in quantity, but they are excellent as a flavouring in mixed salads[K]. The leaves should only be used in small quantities due to the oxalic acid content. The leaves can be used as thickeners in soups etc[1], they can also be dried for later use[3]. Root - cooked. It can be dried, ground into a powder and made into noodles[2]. Seed - raw or cooked[6]. Easy to harvest, but the seed is rather small and fiddly to use[K]. A drink similar to lemonade (but without the fizz) is made by boiling up the leaves[1].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Sheep's sorrel is a detoxifying herb, the fresh juice of the leaves having a pronounced diuretic effect[12]. Like other members of the genus, it is mildly laxative and holds out potential as a long term treatment for chronic disease, in particular that of the gastro-intestinal tract[12]. The plant is also part of a North American formula called essiac which is a popular treatment for cancer. Its effectiveness has never been reliably proven or disproven since controlled studies have not been carried out. The other herbs included in the formula are Arctium lappa, Ulmus rubra and Rheum palmatum[12]. The whole plant, used in the fresh state, is diaphoretic, diuretic and refrigerant[9]. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers, inflammation and scurvy[9]. The leaf juice is useful in the treatment of urinary and kidney diseases[15]. A leaf poultice is applied to tumours, cysts etc, and is a folk treatment for cancer[9]. A tea made from the roots is astringent and is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and excessive menstrual bleeding[9].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Poultice

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Dark green to brown and dark grey dyes can be obtained from the roots, they do not need a mordant[4].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Cetral and southeastern Europe, including Britain, as far north as Scandanavia and Iceland.
Habitat
Heaths and acid grasslands[5]. A weed of acid soils[5][16].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
very acid, acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow autumn or spring in situ. Division in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in most soils[14], preferring a moist moderately fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[8]. Although a plant of acid soils, it can tolerate some alkalinity[5]. A good food plant for the caterpillars of many species of butterflies[11][13], it grows well in the summer meadow[11]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  4. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩

  9. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩

  11. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩1↩2

  12. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  13. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  14. Thompson. B. The Gardener's Assistant. Blackie and Son. 1878-00-00

    ↩

  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  16. Harris. B. C. Eat the Weeds. Pivot Health 1973-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

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