Sorrel (Rumex acetosa L.): Not Only a Weed but a Promising Vegetable and Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa L.) is a perennial, dioecious herb occupying a variety of habitats. Sorrel has been utilized as a wild gathered plant for thousands of years and as a cultivated plant for centuries. Primarily roots but also other tissues have been used in folk remedies since ancient times. In recent investigations, different phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Rumex have been analyzed, and many bioactive compounds have been detected. Sorrel is also a tasty plant and its leaves are a good source of macronutrients and micronutrients. However, the presence of high levels of oxalic acid reduces the bioavailability of some minerals, especially calcium, when using uncooked plant parts. Further investigations on different sorrel compounds are needed to show their true effect. It is beneficial that sorrel is easily propagated and there are no serious insect or disease problems. A few types of R. acetosa seeds are presently available commercially, including wild types and a few cultivars.

Characterization of Ingredients Incorporated in the Traditional Mixed-Salad of the Capuchin Monks

“…The edible leaves of the species considered in our study have a significant intraspecific morphological variability as a plastic response to different environmental conditions [ 19 , 29 , 39 , 40 ]. Therefore, macromorphological analysis combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) ( Table 1 and Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 ) allowed one to highlight some anatomical details of PC, RA, CI, and AD, that can be used for the taxonomic determination of the plant material, even when the leaves are mixed in salad, frozen, or processed.…”

“…Rumex acetosa L. (RA) has been used and cultivated for thousands of years as a medicinal plant, as food and as a dye. Archaeobotanical remains of this plant have been found in Neolithic and Mesolithic settlement sites throughout Europe, where it is still today a very popular vegetable, widely used in traditional cuisine [ 18 , 19 ]. RA is used in folk medicine for its health properties: diaphoretic, diuretic, anti-septic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-hypersensitive, analgesic and antiviral [ 19 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Archaeobotanical remains of this plant have been found in Neolithic and Mesolithic settlement sites throughout Europe, where it is still today a very popular vegetable, widely used in traditional cuisine [ 18 , 19 ]. RA is used in folk medicine for its health properties: diaphoretic, diuretic, anti-septic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-hypersensitive, analgesic and antiviral [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In Liguria, still today, the leaves and flowers of RA (“erba agretta”) are chewed against stomatitis [ 22 ].…”

Plant-Derived Food Grade Substances (PDFGS) Active Against Respiratory Viruses: A Systematic Review of Non-clinical Studies

“…Some of the antiviral bioactivities of H. cordata have been attributed to its quercetin content ( 21 , 187 ). Rumex acetosa L is a wild vegetable, rich in important nutrients but contains a high level of oxalic acid ( 189 ). The succulent leaves are consumed as vegetable and as medicinal plants ( 189 ).…”

“…Rumex acetosa L is a wild vegetable, rich in important nutrients but contains a high level of oxalic acid ( 189 ). The succulent leaves are consumed as vegetable and as medicinal plants ( 189 ). Purslane ( P. oleracea ) is an edible leafy plant with a high nutritive value as well as contains high levels of the antinutrient, oxalic acid ( 190 ).…”