Sorrel

Related Terms

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, greensauce, green sorrel, Herba acetosa, kemekulagi, oxalates, phenylpropanoid, physcion, Polygonaceae (family), quinoids, red sorrel, red top sorrel, rhein, round leaf sorrel, Rumex scutatus, Rumex acetosa L., Rumex acetosella L., sheephead sorrel, sheep sorrel, sheep's sorrel, sorrel dock, sour dock, sour grass, sour sabs, sour suds, sour sauce, Wiesensauerampfer, wild sorrel.
Note: Not to be confused with shamrock (Oxalis hedysaroides, also redwood sorrel, sorrel, violet wood sorrel) or roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa, also Guinea sorrel, Jamaican sorrel).

Background

Historically, sorrel has been used as a salad green, spring tonic, diarrhea remedy, weak diuretic, and soothing agent for irritated nasal passages. Sorrel has been used with other herbs to treat bronchitis and sinus conditions in Germany since the 1930s. The possible benefit of the multi-ingredient product, Sinupret?, has recently been supported by clinical studies. Sorrel is also found in the proposed herbal cancer remedy, Essiac?, but effectiveness has not been proven.
Sorrel contains oxalate (oxalic acid), which is potentially toxic in large doses. Organ damage and death were reported following ingestion of a concentrated sorrel soup. Other adverse and drug/herb interactions are possible.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


There is not enough evidence in this area. More research of sorrel alone is needed.

C


There is not enough evidence in this area. More research of sorrel alone is needed.

C


There is not enough evidence in this area. More research of sorrel alone is needed.

C


There is not enough evidence in this area. More research of sorrel alone is needed.

C


Sorrel, in combination with other herbs, may have beneficial effects for acute bronchitis, but it is not clear what dose is safe or effective. Sorrel alone has not been studied for this indication.

 C


Sorrel, in combination with other herbs, may have beneficial effects for acute bronchitis, but it is not clear what dose is safe or effective. Sorrel alone has not been studied for this indication.

 C


Early evidence suggests that herbal formulations containing sorrel, such as Essiac?, do not shrink tumor size or increase life expectancy in patients with cancer. However, currently there is a lack of studies that look at sorrel as the sole treatment for cancer, and a strong recommendation cannot be made without further research.

C


Early evidence suggests that herbal formulations containing sorrel, such as Essiac?, do not shrink tumor size or increase life expectancy in patients with cancer. However, currently there is a lack of studies that look at sorrel as the sole treatment for cancer, and a strong recommendation cannot be made without further research.

C


Essiac? is a popular therapy for cancer. It is unclear whether Essiac? is helpful in increasing quality of life in women with breast cancer. Better studies are needed to understand this relationship.

 C


Essiac? is a popular therapy for cancer. It is unclear whether Essiac? is helpful in increasing quality of life in women with breast cancer. Better studies are needed to understand this relationship.

 C


Research suggests that an herbal combination preparation containing sorrel called Sinupret? may have beneficial effects in improving symptoms of sinus infection when used with antibiotics. It is not clear if these same effects would be seen with sorrel alone or what dose may be safe and effective.

 C


Research suggests that an herbal combination preparation containing sorrel called Sinupret? may have beneficial effects in improving symptoms of sinus infection when used with antibiotics. It is not clear if these same effects would be seen with sorrel alone or what dose may be safe and effective.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):
There is a lack of established dosages for sorrel taken alone. In small doses, sorrel is likely safe. However, due to reports of significant oxalate toxicity when taken in larger doses, caution is advised.
Sorrel is most often used medicinally as a part of combination formulas. For cancer, a dose of 30 milliliters (two tablespoons) of Essiac? tea has been taken 1-3 times daily. For sinus infections, 1-2 tablets of the combination product Sinupret? taken by mouth 1-3 times daily for two weeks has been studied. Sinupret? is a combination product containing sorrel, gentian root, European elderflower, verbena, and cowslip flower. Fifty drops of an alcohol-based (19%) Sinupret? tincture has also been taken by mouth three times daily.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. 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. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
In general, prescription drugs should be taken one hour before or two hours after sorrel to reduce the likelihood of drug interactions. Many tinctures contain high levels of alcohol and may cause nausea or vomiting when taken with metronidazole (Flagyl?) or disulfiram (Antabuse?).
In theory, herbs with high tannin content, such as sorrel, should not be used in combination with alkaloid agents, such as atropine, galantamine, scopolamine (Transderm-Scop?), or vinblastine.
Use of the antibiotic doxycycline with Quanterra? Sinus Defense or Sinupret? may have a positive interaction and improve outcomes in patients with acute bacterial sinusitis.
Sorrel is popularly taken in Essiac? as a cancer therapy. In theory, sorrel and sorrel combination products (e.g. Essiac?, Flor-Essence?) may interact with other cancer therapies.
Excessive urination has been reported with the use of sorrel, and may add to the effects of diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide (Lasix?).
In large amounts, ingestion of sorrel may lead to kidney stones, kidney damage, or liver damage and should be avoided with agents that are toxic to the kidney or liver.
Sorrel may also interact with antivirals or gastrointestinal drugs.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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