Synonyms/Common Names/Related Substances:

• Acedera, acid sorrel, aglycones, aloe-emodin, aloe-emodin acetate, anthracene derivatives, anthranoids, ascorbic acid, azeda-brava, buckler leaf, cigreto, common sorrel, cuckoo sorrow, cuckoo's meate, dock, dog-eared sorrel, emodin, FE, field sorrel, flavonoids, French sorrel, garden sorrel, gowke-meat, green sorrel, greensauce, Herba acetosa, kemekulagi, oxalates, phenylpropanoid, physcion, Polygonaceae (family), quinoids, red sorrel, red top sorrel, rhein, round leaf sorrel, Rumex acetosa L., Rumex acetosella L., Rumex scutatus, sheephead sorrel, sheep sorrel, sheep's sorrel, sorrel dock, sour dock, sour grass, sour sabs, sour sauce, sour suds, Wiesensauerampfer (German), wild sorrel.
• Combination product examples: Essiac® and Essiac®-like products contain a combination of herbs, often including sorrel, burdock root, slippery elm inner bark, and Indian rhubarb. Flor-Essence® contains sorrel, burdock root, slippery elm, watercress, red clover, blessed thistle, kelp, and Turkish rhubarb root. Sinupret® and its U.S. equivalent Quanterra® Sinus Defense (currently off the market) contain sorrel, as well as elder flowers, gentian root, verbena, and cowslip flower.
• Note: Not to be confused with shamrock (Oxalis hedysaroides, also called redwood sorrel, sorrel, or violet wood sorrel) or roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa, also called Guinea sorrel or Jamaican sorrel).

Clinical Bottom Line/Effectiveness

Brief Background:

• Historically, sorrel has been used as a salad green, spring tonic, diarrhea remedy, and weak diuretic. It has also been used to soothe irritated nasal passages. In Turkey, sorrel is used as a treatment for anemia and as an appetite stimulant. Sorrel is one of the main ingredients in the combination herbal cancer remedy Essiac® and in the European combination herbal sinus remedy Sinupret®. Despite preliminary studies and widespread use of these multi-herb formulas, scientific evidence remains indeterminate for both products.
• Although sorrel has been suggested as a possible treatment for bacterial and viral infections, bronchitis, cancer, and sinusitis, and as a way to improve quality of life in cancer patients, high-quality research is currently lacking in these areas. It remains unknown if sorrel is effective for any of these conditions.
• Sorrel contains oxalate (oxalic acid), which may be toxic in large doses. Reports of organ damage and one report of death following ingestion of a concentrated sorrel soup have been published. Sorrel may also cause kidney stones, precipitation of drugs taken concomitantly, and malabsorption of minerals, such as calcium, iron, or zinc.

Dosing/Toxicology

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Precautions/Contraindications

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Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

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Mechanism of Action

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History

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Evidence Table

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Evidence Discussion

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Products Studied

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Author Information

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References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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