Herbs Guide

Sheep's Sorrel

Family Name: Polygonaceae

Botanical Name(s): Rumex acetosella

Popular Name(s): Field Sorrel, Red Sorrel, Sour Weed

Parts Used: Herb

Habitat: Sheep's Sorrel is found in North America.

Description: Sheep's Sorrel is a slender plant which grows to a height of 3 to 4 inches to one foot. The leaves are arrowhead-shaped with 1/2 to 2 inches in length but vary in breadth. Its flowers bloom from a tall, upright stem and the female flowers are maroon in colour.

Uses: Sheep's Sorrel is diuretic, refrigerant and diaphoretic in action. The juice, extracted from the fresh plant, is used in curing urinary and kidney diseases. It is used in the treatment of inflammation, cancer treatment, diarrhea, scurvy and fever also.