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Sorrel

http://www.florahealth.com/Flora/home/canada/HealthInformation/Encyclopedias/SheepSorrel.asp

At least ten Native tribes of Canada and the United States have used this plant, also known as sour grass or sour weed, as a food and medicine. Sheep sorrel is a popular ingredient of many folk remedies and the tea was used traditionally as a diuretic and to treat fevers, inflammation and scurvy. Sheep sorrel was considered the most active herb in Essiac for stimulating cellular regeneration, detoxification and cleansing, based on reports by Rene Caisse and her doctor colleague who did studies with mice bearing abnormal growths on the original eight herb formula. Interestingly, even though it is not a legume, sheep sorrel contains significant levels of phytoestrogens with notable estrogen receptor binding activity, similar to the isoflavone phytoestrogens common to red clover, licorice and soy, all legumes known for their strong health restorative properties. The herb also contains several anthraquinones that are effective antioxidants and radical scavengers. Although research is limited on sheep sorrel, closely related species contain a powerful antibacterial compound called rumicin, which is effective against Escherichia, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus. The high tannin content of the tea can also provide astringent action, which is useful for treating diarrhea and excessive menstrual bleeding. At low doses, most Rumex species are useful for treating diarrhea; however, at higher doses, they are laxatives due to the presence of anthraquinones that directly effect the neuromuscular tissue, stimulate peristalsis, increase the mucous production of colonic mucosa cells and stimulate secretion of water into the intestinal lumen, thereby exerting a laxative effect. A comparison of the distribution of anthraquinones in 19 representative species of Rumex showed an identical profile between Rumex acetosella and Rumex acetosa and good similarity to R. crispus. Rumex crispus has been used traditionally to treat anemia, anthrax, diarrhea, eczema, fever, itch, leprosy, malaria, rheumatism, ringworm and tuberculosis.

References:

• Duke JA. 1985. Rumex crispus L. In Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 414-415.
• Fairbairn JW, and Muhtadi FJ. 1972. Chemotaxonomy of Anthraquinones in Rumex. Phytochemistry 11: 263-268.
• Foster S, and Duke JA. 1990. Sheep Sorrel in Medicinal Plants. Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY, p. 214.
• Turner N, and Kuhnlein H. 1991. Traditional plant foods of Canadian indigenous peoples. Nutrition, botany and use. In Food and Nutrition in History and Anthropology Vol. 8. Gordon & Breach Science Publishers, Philadelphia, PA, p. 222.
• Yagi T, Yamauchi K, and Kuwano S. 1997. The synergistic purgative action of aloe-emodin anthrone and rhein anthrone in mice: synergism in large intestinal propulsion and water secretion. J Pharm Pharmacol 49: 22-25.
  

http://www.countryherbal.com/ingredients.shtml

Sheep Sorrel is high in vitamins A and B-complex, C, D, E and K. It is very rich in minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, silicon, sulfur chlorine and trace amounts of iodine and zinc.

Beneficial elements in sheep sorrel are the carotenoids and chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has been shown in lab studies to increase resistance to x-rays, purify the liver, stimulate the regeneration of fresh tissue, relieve pancreas swelling, cleanse the walls of blood vessels and strengthen the cell walls. Vitamin A strengthens the immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells and T-Cells. It is the white blood cells and the T-Cells that are known to destroy cancerous cells.

http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/herbal-actions.html

An herb that will gradually restore the proper function of the body and increase health and vitality. Sometimes referred to as blood purifiers. Alfalfa, Black Cohosh, Blue Flag, Blue Violet, Boneset, Buckthorn, Burdock, Cleavers, Echinacea, Fringetree, Golden Seal, Gotu Kola, Kelp/Bladderwrack, Licorice, Oregon Grape, Pau d' Arco, Pipsissewa, Poke Root, Prickly Ash, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla, Sheep Sorrel, Stillingia, Tayuya, Wahoo, Wild Indigo, Yarrow, Yellow Dock.

Herbs that work against parasitic worms which may be present in the digestive system. Black Walnut, Helonias, Quassia, Sheep Sorrel, Wormwood.

Herbs that prevent the formation or help remove stones or gravel in the urinary system Sheep Sorrel, Uva Ursi.

Carminatives are rich in volatile oils and expel gas from the stomach and bowels. Angelica, Celery, Chamomile, Cloves, Fennel, Ginger, Hops, Prickly Ash, Sheep Sorrel, Turmeric, Valerian, Wormwood.

Herbs that increase the flow of urine and help in the removal of toxins from the system. Angelica, Astragalus, Atractylodes, Blue Flag, Blue Violet, Buckthorn, Burdock, Celery, Chaparral, Cleavers, Dandelion, Fringetree, Gotu Kola, Guarana, Hawthorn, Helonias, Kola nut, Marshmallow, Pipsissewa, Sarsaparilla, Saw Palmetto, Sheep Sorrel, Squawvine, Uva Ursi, Wahoo, Yarrow, Yerba Mate.

Herbs that can kill parasites in the digestive tract and on the skin. Black Walnut, Cloves, Quassia, Sheep Sorrel, Wormwood.

Herbs that promote digestion and strengthen the stomach. Atractylodes, Chamomile, Cloves, Codonopsis, Fennel, Ginger, Sheep Sorrel, Turkish Rhubarb, Turmeric.