The healing properties of sorrel and contraindications

Sorrel is widely used in medicine and cooking. Its beneficial properties have been tested by many generations, and the taste of soups and salads with this ingredient has been familiar to many from childhood. It is worth finding out what the benefits and harms of sorrel are, what can be prepared from it, how to properly use and store the plant.

Chemical composition and calorie content of sorrel

Sorrel contains:

• water;
• mono - and disaccharides;
• ash;
• alimentary fiber;
• organic acids;
• saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

By the amount of minerals in sorrel, potassium prevails - 500 mg. Also includes:

• phosphorus;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• sodium;
• iron.

The calorie content of sorrel per 100 g is 22 kcal. It contains 1.5 g of protein, 0.3 g of fat and 2.9 g of carbohydrates.

What vitamins are in sorrel

The vitamin composition of the herb also differs in variety, which includes:

• 0.6 mg vitamin PP;
• 2 mg vitamin E;
• 43 mg vitamin C;
• 0.1 mg vitamin B2;
• 0.19 mg vitamin B1;
• 417 mcg vitamin A;
• 2.5 mg beta carotene.

Why is sorrel useful?

The variety of vitamins in the composition makes the plant a truly healing agent. Consider the beneficial properties of sorrel:

1. Anesthetic and hemostatic effect. The leaves and roots are used to quickly heal wounds and prevent inflammation.
2. Cleansing the body of toxins and carcinogenic substances. The plant is useful as a cancer prevention.
3. Laxative effect, normalization of stool and bowel cleansing. A small serving can have the opposite effect.
4. Increasing the general tone of the body, improving physical and mental performance.
5. Replenishment of iron deficiency and assistance in its absorption.
6. Increased stomach acidity. The medicinal herb stimulates the production of gastric juice.
7. Fresh sorrel reduces pressure without causing a sudden pressure drop.
8. Strengthening nails and hair, improving skin condition.
9. The benefits of oxalic acid are in lowering cholesterol levels.
10. Eating fresh sorrel can relieve headaches.

The plant is of particular value for both the female and male body.

For women

The use of the plant is indicated for women during menopause. Sorrel alleviates the unpleasant symptoms of this period:

• relieves headaches;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• fights uterine bleeding;
• reduces sweating.

For men

Sorrel normalizes the work of the male genitourinary system:

• eliminates inflammation and pain;
• fights stagnation;
• improves blood circulation in the prostate gland;
• protects against infections.

Also sorrel juice helps in the fight against infertility.

Slimming

The herb has a beneficial effect on the body while losing weight. With its help, you can get rid of harmful substances in the stomach and intestines, as well as improve metabolism, which is especially important when losing weight.Regular consumption of sorrel helps to relieve swelling by removing excess water and salt.

Is it possible for children to give sorrel and at what age

Despite the beneficial properties of the product, it is not always safe to give it to children. You should not include this ingredient in the diet of a child under 3 years old: oxalic acid negatively affects the child's body.

The plant should be introduced into the diet gradually. For the first time, for example, add some salad leaves. As you get used to, the amount of product in your dishes can be increased.

It is best to use young leaves when preparing food for children. The content of oxalic acid in them is small, but the optimal amount of malic and citric acids is present. Eating mature leaves increases the risk of increased urine salts.

Is sorrel possible during pregnancy and breastfeeding

The body of a pregnant woman needs calcium - it contributes to the formation of the baby's skeleton and strengthens the heart of the expectant mother. Oxalic acid complicates the absorption of calcium, therefore, the use of the product in large quantities is contraindicated in pregnant women. However, the negative impact can be neutralized. For this, sorrel is recommended to be consumed with dairy products - for example, to dress salads with sour cream.

During lactation, this medicinal herb is especially useful. It increases the amount of breast milk and eliminates possible bitterness.

The use of sorrel in medicine

The plant is widely used to treat many diseases:

1. Sorrel dishes are recommended for the treatment of hemorrhoids and rectal fissures.
2. The leaves help treat colitis, dysentery and other pathologies of the digestive tract.
3. The leaves and stems of the plant are an excellent remedy for the treatment of colds, especially during the off-season, when most people suffer from vitamin deficiency.
4. Sorrel juice helps to thin bile, which is why it is often used for gallbladder problems.
5. The emergence of food allergies is also an indication for the use of medicinal herbs.
6. Plant-based products help fight skin conditions like eczema or shingles.

With diabetes mellitus

Sorrel is especially useful for diabetes. Fresh plant juice lowers cholesterol levels and normalizes blood sugar. Sorrel is also recommended for diabetics because of the small amount of carbohydrates - due to this, it lowers the glucose level when it rises sharply.

With anemia

The high iron content helps fight anemia. In addition, vitamin C in the herb promotes the absorption of iron from other foods and maintains hemoglobin at the desired level.

Folk recipes

A useful herb is widely used in folk medicine. Consider the common recipes needed to treat various diseases.

Infusion from the roots

This remedy is useful for rheumatism and back pain. 1 tbsp. l. chopped fresh roots are poured with 300 ml of boiling water and heated in a water bath for 15 minutes. Next, the product is left to infuse and filter. You need to drink it 30 ml several times a day.

Leaf decoction

For anemia, colds, vitamin deficiency, a decoction is useful. To prepare it, 5 g of leaves need to be poured with 400 ml of boiling water, boil for 15 minutes and insist. You need to take the broth in a quarter of a glass three times a day. With cystitis, such a decoction can be added to the bath.

Sorrel juice

The sap from the plant will help remove excess bile. To prepare the juice, fresh leaves are passed through a meat grinder and squeezed. It is recommended to drink juice 3 times a day for 1 tbsp. l.

The use of sorrel in cosmetology

The active substances in the plant have a beneficial effect on metabolic processes in the tissues. Therefore, after using products based on it, the skin looks beautiful and healthy.

Sorrel masks for face skin

To make a nourishing mask for the skin of the face, the leaves must be rinsed and crushed well. To avoid the aggressive effect of acid on the skin, the main ingredient should be mixed with auxiliary - cream or egg yolk.

The following masks will be useful for hair and scalp:

1. Nutritious. To nourish the skin, 30 g of crushed leaves are mixed with mashed black currant and strawberries. You can also add 10 g of sour cream to the mask.
2. Whitening. To lighten the skin tone, you need 50 g of chopped leaves, pour 30 ml of lemon juice and 50 g of natural yogurt.

Masks should be applied to the skin for no more than 10 minutes. These products should be used once a week for dry skin and three times a week for oily skin. The maximum effect is achieved if they are applied for 1 month.

Sorrel for hair

The plant helps to restore hair follicles and promotes rapid growth and strengthening of hair. To prepare a hair mask, the leaves need to be chopped in a blender, add a little sunflower and olive oil. You can also use burdock or castor. The composition is rubbed into the scalp, then you should cover your head with a plastic bag and a towel. It is recommended to wash off the mask after 2 hours.

How to use sorrel correctly

You can get the most out of raw sorrel. Heat treatment leads to the formation of a form of acid that is not completely eliminated from the body. As a result, there is a risk of kidney stones.

Can overgrown sorrel be eaten

When preparing meals, it is better to give preference to young leaves. Old ones contain a high amount of acid, so they must be blanched before use. But it is worth giving up overgrown leaves - they do not differ in benefits and pleasant taste.

How to collect and store sorrel

Cut off a plant whose leaf height reaches 10-12 cm. It is important not to miss the time when the sorrel has not yet outgrown. You need to cut the plant at a height of 3-4 cm.

For long-term storage, raw materials are frozen. The washed leaves are immersed in boiling water for 1 minute, dried, laid out in plastic bags and stored in a freezer.

What can you cook from sorrel

The most famous sorrel dish is soup or cabbage soup. In addition to this dish, vegetable salads with the addition of this ingredient will be useful. The plant can even be used to make a refreshing summer cocktail with honey and almond milk.

The benefits of sorrel soup

This dish is useful for all diseases, for the treatment and prevention of which sorrel is used. This soup can be eaten both cold and hot. The cold version is refreshing in the heat and filling. The benefits of sorrel soup and its low calorie content make it possible to use the dish on a diet.

Sorrel harm and contraindications

The benefits of sorrel for the body are obvious, but a categorical contraindication to its use is pancreatitis, even in remission. Abuse of sorrel in the absence of this contraindication is also undesirable:

1. An increased acid content increases the risk of urolithiasis.
2. Sorrel interferes with the absorption of calcium, which leads to osteoporosis.
3. A large amount of acid provokes the occurrence of uremia and gout.
4. With increased acidity of the stomach, inflammation of the kidneys and intestines, ulcers, it is contraindicated to eat sorrel.

Thus, the ingredient should be included in the diet only from time to time, even if there are no strict contraindications to its use.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of sorrel are determined depending on age and health status. However, in most cases, moderate use will only be beneficial. The tool is used for general health improvement of the body, treatment of inflammatory diseases, gastrointestinal tract pathologies and in many other cases. The medicinal properties of the plant make it possible to use it not only in medicine, but also in cooking and even cosmetology.