Sorrel – properties, nutrients, use, recipes

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Sorrel is a plant that has been famous for its health properties for millennia. It is referred to by many as the vitamin bomb. It is a source of vitamin C, so important for our immunity. We associate sorrel mainly with sorrel soup. However, it should not be forgotten that it also plays an important role in medicine as a remedy for food ailments.

Sorrel – what is this plant?

Sorrel is the name of many hardy perennial herbs belonging to the family Polygonaceae or buckwheat, which are widespread in temperate regions around the world. The leaves are the normally eaten part of the plant and look similar to spinach leaves.

Raw leaves are described as having a lemon, kiwi or sour wild strawberry flavor. It is often grown as a garden herb or leaf vegetable, but some varieties also grow wild. There are about 200 species of sorrel in Poland, but only some are edible.

Here are some types of sorrel:

1. leafy sorrel (aceto rumex), also referred to as common sorrel or garden sorrel, is the species most easily available at marketplaces and in nurseries for planting. It is a deep-rooted perennial that will last for years if it finds a place it likes. It has a pungent flavor and quite large arrow-shaped leaves,
2. French sorrel or sorrel with buckler leaves (Rumex scutatus) has a milder flavor than common sorrel. Its leaves are smaller and more rounded than that of broadleaf sorrel,
3. sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella) sometimes also called red sorrel, it is about as acidic as common sorrel but has smaller leaves. It is usually fed rather than cultivated and grows wild in the United States.
4. red-veined sorreland (Blood clot) is a variety with dark red veins running through its leaves. Some say it is the least tart variety.

Please note that edible sorrel should not be confused with Jamaican sorrel or hibiscus flowers. Although they share the same name, the Jamaican sorrel flower is used to make a fragrant sorrel drink. Forest sorrel is another unrelated plant with a similar name that has several different species, including redwood forest sorrel.

Also read: Tea with lemon – what are its properties?

Sorrel – nutrients

One cup (133 grams) of fresh, raw garden sorrel provides only about 29 calories. This portion provides:

1. 0,9 grams of fat
2. 4,3 grams of carbohydrate
3. 2,7 grams of protein
4. 3,9 grams of fiber
5. 63,8 grams of vitamin C (71 percent of the DV)
6. 137 milligrams of magnesium (33 percent of DV)
7. 266 micrograms of vitamin A (30 percent of the DV)
8. 0,5 milligrams of manganese (20 percent of the DV)
9. 0,2 milligrams of copper (19 percent of the daily dose)
10. 3,2 milligrams of iron (18 percent of DV)
11. 519 milligrams of potassium (11% of DV)
12. 0,2 milligrams of vitamin B6 (10 percent of the daily dose)
13. 0,1 milligrams of riboflavin (10 percent of the daily dose)
14. 84 milligrams of phosphorus (7 percent of the DV)
15. 59 milligrams of calcium (5 percent of the daily dose).

There are also small amounts of thiamine, niacin and pantothenic acid in sorrel.

See: What role do macronutrients play in the human body?

Sorrel – health properties

Sorrel, due to the high content of vitamin A, is recommended for people who may have (long-term work at the monitor) or have vision problems. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that supports normal and healthy eyesight and prevents macular degeneration.

Sorrel in its composition has antioxidants that show many beneficial properties for our health. First of all, they fight free radicals that are dangerous to our health, which attack healthy cells of the body and subject them to the oxidation process. As a result, healthy cells can be killed or damaged, and even mutate into cancer cells. Antioxidants (antioxidants) attack free radicals, destroying them before they can reach healthy cells.

What’s more, sorrel contains flavonoids and other antioxidants, making it a good diuretic and laxative. This helps flush out harmful toxins from the body. Sorrel leaves contain protocatechic acid that helps detoxify the body. Sorrel tea and sorrel water are often used to detoxify the body. It also relieves flatulence.

Another key reason why you should include sorrel in your diet is its blood pressure lowering properties. Studies have shown that one cup of natural sorrel tea for 30 days can significantly lower blood pressure. In addition, as already mentioned, sorrel leaves are rich in antioxidants that help lower the levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the body, as well as reduce overall inflammation. This results in lower blood pressure levels.

An important factor that influences elevated blood pressure levels is excessive stress. Unfortunately, at present it is an inseparable part of our lives. As a consequence, it can even lead to a stroke, myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and mental disorders. When we are stressed, our body secretes the stress hormone cortisol. Sorrel contains active ingredients that prevent its secretion. Therefore, sorrel is recommended for people who live under constant stress in order to relieve it.

Moreover, sorrel leaves are rich in flavonoids and oligomeric and polymeric proanthocyanidins that have been shown to be helpful in treating cold sores and fever blisters. Really sorrel leaves are like an elixir for our skin as they fight all types of skin diseases such as eczema, ringworm etc. Sorrel is rich in Vitamin C. In fact, a bowl of sorrel soup can provide up to 53% of your daily vitamin C intake, which helps treat many skin problems and diseases. Dried sorrel leaves are used to treat dermatophytosis, among other things.

Sorrel leaves used in facial products help prevent wrinkles and tighten the skin. They also have antibacterial and anti-allergic properties. Regular consumption of sorrel can also protect the body from toxins and harmful elements. The vitamin C content of sorrel helps to optimize and strengthen your immunity. Ascorbic acid also increases the number of WBCs and antibodies, thus protecting the body against bacteria and viruses.

Sorrel also has beneficial properties for our hair. If you have damaged and dry hair, drink sorrel tea every day and thanks to the vitamins A, B and C it contains, you will strengthen it and prevent hair loss. In addition, thanks to its wealth of nutrients such as iron, sodium and phosphorus, sorrel helps to increase the level of hemoglobin in the body and is therefore beneficial for people with anemia and heavy menstrual bleeding.

See: Everything you need to know about anemia

Sorrel – is it always safe?

Sorrel is possibly safe for most people when consumed in appropriate amounts, as a food, or when taken orally in therapeutic amounts. However, as part of a combination product containing gentian root, elderberry flower and verbena, it may cause digestive disturbances, gas, and sometimes even an allergic reaction.

Sorrel’s can cause unpleasant health effects when taken orally in large amounts. May increase the risk of developing kidney stones. There is also a report of death following the ingestion of large amounts (500 grams) of sorrel.

Consumption of sorrel by children is generally safe, however, if taken in too much of it, it can pose a health risk, especially due to its oxalic acid content.

Consuming sorrel in large amounts during pregnancy may pose some risk to the developing fetus. Although it is unlikely, taking sorrel as part of a fixed dose combination during pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects. There is a lack of reliable information on the safety of taking sorrel in therapeutic amounts while breastfeeding.

Sorrel contains a large amount of oxalic acid, so consuming it in large amounts may be harmful due to the possibility of oxalate poisoning. Side effects can include damage to the kidneys, liver and digestive tract.

Also read: Diet reverses kidney damage

Sorrel – how to use it?

Unfortunately, sorrel is not readily or widely available from your local supermarket. It is best to look for it in spring and summer at the market, herbal or health food stores. The sorrel season runs from spring to summer.

Sorrel, can be chopped and added to dressings, marinades and soups. The younger sorrel leaves are tender and do not stick well to cooking, so they are best suited for uncooked dishes. The larger leaves can be used for pan-frying and other cooked foods. You can add sorrel to other cooked vegetables, such as kale and spinach for a lemon twist.

Many chefs classically combine sorrel with cream or yogurt to add flavor to a rich, creamy base, but also to reduce the sourness of sorrel. If the bitterness is too strong for you, blanching the leaves will help minimize it. It is also delicious with oily fish such as salmon.

Regarding the storage of sorrel, there are two options. If you want to use it within a day or two, you can simply refrigerate it. For longer storage, rinse it clean, dry it dry and roll it in paper towels before storing it in the refrigerator. The paper towels will absorb excess liquid, keeping the leaves dry immediately, but in a sufficiently humid environment.

Sorrel – recipes

Sorrel has many medicinal and culinary uses. Sorrel is most often used in the preparation of sauces and soups. Sorrel soup is a familiar dish made of eggs, chicken broth and cream. Her puree is served with fish. Young, fresh sorrel leaves are also added to salads for their lemon flavor. In Jamaica, sorrel leaves and flowers are used to make tea, which is served both hot and cold. It is also mixed with buttermilk or used to make smoothies and juices.

Sorrel tea

Ingredients:

1. a handful of sorrel leaves,
2. cinnamon stick,
3. a glass of hot water,
4. selected sweetener (e.g. honey).

Making sorrel tea: bring the water to a boil and pour it into a jug. Add sorrel leaves and cinnamon to the jug. After five minutes, strain the mixed water into a cup and add the sweetener. Your hot tea is ready to be served.

Note: You can also make iced sorrel tea.

Sorrel soup

Sorrel is an excellent ingredient in soups. Here’s how you can make sorrel soup.

Ingredients:

1. 3 cups of sorrel leaves, washed and dried,
2. 2 tablespoons of butter,
3. 1/2 chopped sweet onion
4. 5 to 6 small potatoes (cut into pieces),
5. 2 cups of chicken or vegetable broth (to choose from),
6. 1 lightly beaten egg,
7. salt and pepper to taste,
8. decorating with the selected ingredient (coriander, yoghurt or cucumber slices).

Preparation of the sorrel soup: Chop the sorrel leaves and put them aside, in a large saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat, add the onion and cook until golden brown. Add sorrel and potatoes to the pan. Add enough broth to cover the potatoes. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Reduce heat and cook until potatoes are soft and well cooked. It will take you another 15 minutes. Now blend half of the contents into a smooth puree. Repeat until all contents are cleaned. Return to the pan and mix the eggs with the soup. Add the egg to the pan and cook until the mass thickens. Your soup is ready! Add salt and pepper and garnish with the ingredients of your choice.

In addition to these recipes, you can use dried or fresh sorrel leaves in a variety of dishes. Here are a few of them:

1. sorrel sauce goes well with fish,
2. you can add sorrel to omelets,
3. use it as a stuffing for meat,
4. can be used for mashed potatoes, with hummus and noodles,
5. you can make sorrel pesto and use it for pizza.

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