Botanica WestHolistic Healing & Therapy from a Master Herbalist

Sorrel

Common sorrel (Rumex acetosa), also known as spinach dock, is a perennial herb that is cultivated as a garden herb or leaf vegetable (pot herb). It’s hearty and grows with little watering.

Sorrel is a slender plant about 60 cm high, with roots that run deep into the ground, as well as juicy stems and edible, oblong leaves. These deep roots makes it high in minerals and healthy eating as well.

It has whirled spikes of reddish-green flowers, which bloom in summer, becoming purplish. The stamens and pistils appear on different plants the ripe seeds are brown and shining. These can be gathered and replanted for a larger crop in the future.

Common sorrel has been cultivated for centuries. The leaves may be puréed in soups and sauces or added to salads and have a flavor that is similar to tart kiwi fruit or sour wild strawberries.

The plant’s sharp taste is due to oxalic acid and so may be contraindicated in people with rheumatic-type complaints, kidney or bladder stones.

Sorrel is also a laxative and is also one of the ingredients found in Essiac tea that we make and use in our clinic for cleansing.

Sorrel and Potato Soup

1/4 cup olive oil

one large onion diced

one large green bell pepper diced

one bunch green onions chopped small tops and all

or two finely sliced leeks

four medium potato’s peeled and diced

one pound of sorrel chopped course

one quart vegetable or chicken stock

salt and pepper to taste

sour cream(optional)

Saute onions peppers and olive oil till tender and translucent. Add broth and potatoes and simmer till potatoes are tender, then add the sorrel.

The sorrel will drastically change color and turn dark and that is normal. It cooks rather quickly like spinach so taste it to make sure that you do not to over cook it.

If it is to thick you may thin it down with water broth or soy milk.

Next add salt and pepper to taste and you can serve it with a hefty dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt.

You can purchase seeds online for this healthy herb. I’m fortunate to have it growing in my yard as well as purslane and lambs quarters. Check my archives for purslane salad as well.

Healthy eating and eat more greens!

Helene Gentili