- Region
- Europe
- Origin
- Europe, Asia
- Traditions
- Western herbal medicine, Haudenosaunee medicine
Europe · Herb · № 595
Rumex acetosella
Herb · Europe
Sheep sorrel
Rumex acetosella
Traditionally attributed effects: induces sweating, diuretic, fever-reducing, stops bleeding; traditionally for cancer (ingredient of Essiac tea), relieves 'hot' conditions (fever, thirst, inflammation), boils, transient jaundice.
Safety notes
Caution with kidney stones or rheumatism. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Western herbalism: Caution with kidney stones or rheumatism. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine: Contains oxalic acid; eat in moderation.
Preparation
Tea: 2–3 tsp per cup, 5–8 min, 1–3 cups a day; tincture 5–60 drops 1–3 times a day or externally; poultice as needed (with vinegar against ringworm).
Use in traditions
A sour weed of poor sandy soil. The leaf was eaten as a vegetable and against scurvy. Sheep sorrel is one of the four herbs in Essiac, a herbal mixture that a Canadian nurse promoted as a cancer cure in the 1920s; studies found no effect.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Induces sweating, diuretic, fever-reducing, stops bleeding; traditionally for cancer (ingredient of Essiac tea), relieves 'hot' conditions (fever, thirst, inflammation), boils, transient jaundice.
Preparation and amount
Tea: 2–3 tsp per cup, 5–8 min, 1–3 cups a day; tincture 5–60 drops 1–3 times a day or externally; poultice as needed (with vinegar against ringworm).
Caution: Caution with kidney stones or rheumatism. Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) medicine
Attributed effects
As food and as a red dye.
Preparation and amount
Eat the leaves raw; boil the plant for red dye.
Caution: Contains oxalic acid; eat in moderation.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)TinctureSyrup, honey and oxymel