Garden Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Garden Sorrel is a becoming more well-known and used in the United States as a culinary herb, and it easily grow from Sorrel seeds. It comes from Europe and has been used there for centuries. Its use dates back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. This variety, Green de Belleville, has green arrow-shaped leaves that have a slightly acidic taste and is slower to bolt than other varieties. When the leaves are eaten fresh and added to salads or a sandwich, they add a little zest and tang. The herb leaves can also be chopped or shredded and added to soups for flavoring. Garden Sorrel is also known as Common Sorrel, English Sorrel and simply Sorrel.
Common Sorrel herb has historically been used as a medicinal herb. It has been used to treat fevers and scurvy. The juice from the leaves is used to calm itchy skin rashes and ringworm. English Sorrel herb is a highly nutritious herb. It is high in vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium.