Sheep's sorrel (rumex acetosella)
Synopsis of sheep's sorrel
Sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) is a small, tangy-tasting perennial herb in the buckwheat family, commonly found in meadows, fields, and woodlands across Europe, Asia, and North America. The plant is rich in oxalic acid, chlorophyll, tannins, and a variety of flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol. It also contains vitamin C and trace minerals. Sheep’s sorrel is most widely known today as a key component of the controversial herbal cancer formula Essiac, developed in the early 20th century by Canadian nurse Rene Caisse.
Herbalists have long valued sheep’s sorrel for its astringent, diuretic, and mildly laxative properties. It is used to support detoxification, reduce inflammation, and promote elimination through the kidneys and bowels. The herb is also believed to stimulate the immune system and may have mild antiproliferative properties, though scientific evidence on this remains preliminary.
Sheep’s sorrel is generally administered in teas, tinctures, or as part of blended formulas. Because of its oxalate content, large quantities are discouraged, particularly for those with kidney stones or impaired renal function.
Historical Use:
Sheep’s sorrel has a long history of use in European folk medicine. It was traditionally consumed both as a wild edible green and a healing herb. The sour, lemony leaves were chewed to quench thirst, ease mouth ulcers, or calm fevers. It was commonly employed as a "blood purifier"—a term often used in historical herbalism to indicate herbs thought to cleanse the body of toxins, improve lymphatic function, and support skin health.
In North American herbalism, sheep’s sorrel was adopted by Native American tribes and later used by early settlers. By the 1920s, it gained wider attention when Rene Caisse reported its use in Ojibwe healing traditions and included it in her Essiac tea blend, claiming it helped patients with cancer. This blend, which also includes burdock root, slippery elm, and Turkish rhubarb, became a symbol of natural resistance to conventional oncology—sparking both popular support and skepticism from the medical establishment.
While controlled clinical trials have not conclusively confirmed its efficacy in cancer treatment, sheep’s sorrel continues to be used in detoxification and immune-support formulas in naturopathic circles. Its traditional roles in promoting elimination, clearing heat and toxins, and supporting mucosal health are still valued in integrative approaches to wellness.
In modern herbal practices, sheep’s sorrel is used with caution—respected for its traditional detoxifying actions and potential synergy in multi-herb formulations, especially where chronic inflammation, toxicity, or immune dysregulation are concerns.
Sheep's sorrel is used for these health conditions
Abscesses (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Blood Poisoning (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Canker Sores (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Glands (swollen lymph) (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Injuries (Traditional)
Itching (Traditional)
Jaundice (adults) (Traditional)
Kidney Stones (Traditional)
Liver Detoxification (Traditional)
Rashes and Hives (Traditional)
Skin (infections) (Traditional)
Ulcerations (external) (Traditional)
Ulcers (Traditional)
Urinary Tract Infections (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)
sheep's sorrel is used to support these body systems
Blood (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Large Intestines (Colon) (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Lymphatics (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)
