Sorrel(Rumex acetosa) is a hardy perennial that grows wild in meadows and gardens. For a long timethe healing properties of sorrelhave been used in folk medicine, and the distinctive taste of the plant meant thatcommon sorrelwas also used in the kitchen. Learn about all the properties of this plant and learnhow to fight sorrelwhen it has spread too much in your garden.
Leaves of sorrel
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What does common sorrel look like?
Sorrel grows to a height of 1m . Its stem is upright, longitudinally furrowed, and the leaves are sagittal, slightly fleshy. It blooms from May to July. The fruit of sorrel is a brown peanut.
Common sorrel can grow in soils with a different pH range, although it thrives in acidic soil. Therefore,sorrel is considered to be an indicator plant that suggests an acidic soil in the gardenThis plant prefers dry to moderately moist soil and a fully sunlit or semi-shaded location.
Sorrel - healing properties
The healing properties of sorrel can be found in all its parts . In medicine, sorrel flowers, leaves, stems and root are used. The raw materials of sorrel clinics include oxalic acid and oxalates, hyperoside, vitamin C, tannins and bitterness.
Sorrel is usedto obtain vitamin C, and also as a blood purifier in anemia. It can also be used externally in skin diseases. Sorrel helps you get rid of the feeling of excessive thirst, fever or inflammation.
Note!People complaining of rheumatic pains, kidney stones, having problems with the bladder should not consume sorrel. The presence of oxalic acid in the plant can pose a threat to them. Also, in he althy people, excessive consumption of sorrel can cause abdominal pain, bladder or vomiting.
Sorrel - application
1. Sorrel in the kitchen
Raw sorrel leaves are eaten in salads, soups and sauces. You can cook it like spinach by changing the water during cooking to remove oxalic acid. Sorrel can be added to vegetable soups, omelettes, lamb, beef, fish, poultry and pork sauce.It's best to use fresh, young sorrel leaves that are the softest in taste.
Common Sorrel - Rumex acetosa
Fig. pixabay.com
2. Common sorrel in the household
Sorrel juice removes rust, mold, ink stains, and also removes wicker and silver stains.
3. Sorrel in cosmetics and herbal medicine
Infused sorrel leaves are drunk as tea for liver and kidney ailments. The infusion can rinse an ulcerated mouth, flush boils and hard-to-heal wounds.
Sorrel - combating
Sorrel is a plant that spreads easily, so it is necessary tocontrol sorrel in gardensThis plant reproduces by seeds dispersed by the wind, and additionally produces root suckers.It appears on lawns and in garden beds, becoming a real nuisance for the gardener.Sorrel can be removed by handadditionally using baking soda to reduce the risk of sorrel regrowth later.
Spraying with herbicides , such as:
- Chwastox New Trio 390 SL (4 ml of the preparation per 1 liter of water, which is enough for a spraying of 20m²)
- Dandelion 540 SL (4 ml of the preparation per 1 liter of water, which is enough for a spraying of 20m²)
- Neat Lawns (10 ml of the preparation per 1 liter of water, which is enough for a spraying of 25 m2)
Chwastox Trio 540 SL and Mniszek 540 SL have the same composition (mecoprop 300 g / l + MCPA 200 g / l + dicamba 40 g / l), thereforeto control sorrel, choose one of the of these two preparationsAdditionally, Starane Trawniki can be used alternately with Chwastox Trio or Mniszek, which has a different composition (fluroxypyr 40 g / l + clopyralid 20 g / l + MCPA 200 g / l).
It should be emphasized that of the above-mentioned preparationsonly Chwastox Trio is registered for direct control of common sorrelThe other mentioned preparations are registered for field sorrel and common sorrel. Therefore, the preparation of first choice for combating sorrel should be Chwastox Nowy Trio 390 SL. This herbicide fights sorrel with just one spray. It is also effective against other dicotyledonous weeds, such as dandelion, plantain, plantain or yarrow.
Sorrel spraying can be usedin favorable conditions for plant vegetation, from spring to early autumn (April-October), from the few leaves phase to the flowering phase.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
