Habitat
Type: grassy places
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: iron rich soil

General
Growth type: herb
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 90 cm
Other:

Leaf
Shape:long arrow, upper clasp stem
Texture: smooth
Arrangement: alternate
Edge: smooth

Flower
Diameter: tiny
Arrangement: spikes, loosely branched
Colour:

Seed
Size: tiny

Distribution of Garden Sorrel Rumex acetosa




Distribution of Common Sorrel R. acetosella

Contains oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can bind up other minerals, especially calcium. May aggravate rheumatic conditions, kidney stones, hyper acidity or osteoporosis. May be reduced by cooking, possibly also if eaten with a source of salts derived from methyl salicylate (salicylic acid etc.) from sources such as dried Meadowsweet. Eat in moderation.

February to August
all year
May to August
July to October

Flavour
Rating and Description:
lemony

How to Consume
raw, juiced for rennet
cooked, flour
cooked
raw, flour

Special preparation
As the seed is small and could easily pass through the digestive system, it is best to grind them to allow absorption of nutrients.

Nutrition
Vitamin C

Used as ...
food, curdling agent, lemon substitute
food

Action:
anthelmintic, antiscorbutic, astringent, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, laxative
astringent, diuretic, haemostatic

May treat:
internal: skin complaints; external: cooked and mushed (poultice): brings boils and abscesses to a head; itchy skin and ringworm (juice mixed with fumitory)
jaundice, gravel, kidney stones

grey-blue dye, silver polish
dark green to brown dye (no mordant)

Drying
Dry to store

Note
Avoid iron (except s/s) and aluminium implements. Plant will react with iron or leach aluminium into the food due to its high acidity.

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• anthelmintic: expels parasites from the gut (see also Vermifuge)
• antiscorbutic: prevents scurvy, contains Vitamin C
• astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• febrifuge: reduces fever; use only for dangerously high temperature; a raised temperature is the body's way of burning up the pathogen
• haemostatic: controls bleeding (see astringent)
• laxative: evacuates the bowels or softens stools