The use of sorrel has been known to the Slavic peoples for a long time: who does not like the famous soup, seasoned with sour cream? Everyone knows that sorrel is useful, but not everyone will answer which organs it has a beneficial effect. When did this plant appear in gourmet dishes and why should it be eaten by all means?
Plant history
The use of sorrel for the body first became apparent to the French. On the tables of noble bourgeois and even kings, this plant began to appear from the 12th century. The Eastern Slavs, on the contrary, for a long time considered this grass unsuitable for food and blurted it out like a weed.
It is noteworthy that this "weed" really has a high resistance: it grows almost around the world. Of the 200 species, actually only two can be eaten - horse and sour sorrel.
Culinary specialists quickly adapted themselves and invented not only sorrel soup, but also various recipes for salads, pancakes, and also learned how to make a filling for pies from a plant.
The masters of traditional medicine did not stand aside. After much experimentation and observation, they found that this plant helps fight many diseases. Homemade recipes based on sorrel, which are used for various ailments, immediately began to spread among people. Why is sorrel considered such a useful product?
Benefit
The use of sorrel for the body is not in doubt. First of all, this is a dietary product. It is great for maintaining a protein diet, because in this "weed" there really are more proteins than carbohydrates or fats.
The benefits of sorrel are due to its rich vitamin composition, which includes:
- provitamin A;
- vitamin C;
- B vitamins;
- Vitamin E
- vitamin PP.
This vitamin smoothie is also complemented by healthy minerals like potassium and magnesium. Sorrel leaves contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, and sodium. And of course, one cannot fail to mention a number of organic acids: coffee, oxalic, citric and malic. This plant is rich in flavonoids, as well as tannins.
This whole long list of useful components that make up oxal leaves, determines the many beneficial properties that they possess.
What diseases does it cure?
Horse sorrel, the benefits and harms of which become the subject of discussions not only of traditional healers, but also of doctors, is readily used in everyday life as a means of dealing with many problems:
- Cholecystitis, impaired liver function. Oxalic leaves, rich in chrysophanic acid, stimulate the liver, as well as the production of bile.
- Intestinal dysfunction. All the same chrysophane acid allows you to effectively get rid of constipation. But the tannins of the plant save in some cases from diarrhea.
- Bleeding. Sorrel leaves do a great job in stopping bleeding. They can be applied externally to the wound, and with internal bleeding it is better to take orally in the form of decoctions.
- Boils, dermatitis. The unique juice of the plant is suitable for treating skin integuments: it accelerates the healing of ulcers and the resorption of boils. Oxalic juice will also help with dermatitis.
- Menstrual and menopausal syndromes. The Persian scientist Avicenna suggested using sorrel decoctions a few days before the onset of menstruation in order to reduce their soreness and profusion. Such decoctions are also suitable for the treatment of menopausal syndrome, reducing nervousness and eliminating many unpleasant symptoms of menopause.
Folk recipes
As a choleretic agent, as well as a remedy for constipation, oxalic juice is good, which must be drunk 3 times a day in a tablespoon. Also, to normalize the stool, you can use a decoction from the rhizome of the plant. The broth is prepared according to the standard recipe: a tablespoon of chopped herbs must be poured with hot water (250 ml) and boiled for half an hour; then insist, strain and drink a quarter cup 3 times a day.
The benefits of sorrel in menopause and menstrual syndrome become apparent if you drink the oxal broth in higher doses - 100 ml half an hour before breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Few people know, but with rhinitis and sinusitis, sorrel juice is also effective. A few drops in each nostril can be dripped and a decoction of sorrel root.
Oxalic tincture will save from rheumatism. For its preparation, 20 g of oxalic rhizome is enough to pour 10-15 ml of vodka. 10 days, it is necessary to insist the mixture in a dark and warm place, and then strain and take 20 drops several times a day several minutes before meals.
Sorrel - a blood purifying plant
The benefit of horse sorrel lies in its ability to purify blood. This property of the plant will come in handy for any disease, starting with allergies and ending with dysentery. The blood purified and enriched with vitamins will accelerate the healing process from any disease.
The broth for blood purification is prepared quite simply: just 1 tablespoon of the crushed plant is enough to pour 2 cups of hot water, and then simmer for 10 minutes. The broth is infused for an hour, while the vessel in which it will stand should be covered with a towel. Before use, you need to strain the infusion.
Drink a sorrel broth 15 minutes before a meal, preferably 4 times a day, a quarter cup.
Sorrel: benefit and harm. Contraindications
There are always contraindications to the use of each, even the most useful product. Sorrel is the same: benefit and harm, there are contraindications for this plant.
In the spring, when the first leaves only appear on the beds, the level of oxalic acid in them is low. Therefore, the plant is not harmful to the kidneys. But the older the leaves, the more oxalic acid in them. When it enters the human body in large quantities, it enters into a chemical reaction with calcium and is deposited in the kidneys in the form of stones and sand.
Also, the high acid content in this plant makes it impossible to exclude sorrel from the diet of all those people who are sick with gastritis, ulcers or suffer from increased acidity of the stomach. It is not recommended for pregnant women.
Nutritionists tend to suggest that heat-treated oxalic acid is difficult to process by the body. Therefore, sorrel is still more useful in its fresh form.
Interesting Facts
Horse sorrel, the benefits and harms of which are discussed by nutritionists, has been eaten since ancient times not only by the French. Greeks, Dutch, Germans, Bulgarians are also addicted to sour plants.
In Russia, the plant began to be added to dishes only in the 16th century. Moreover, people did not call him sorrel: following the example of their ancestors, the Eastern Slavs continued in their speech to mention the plant as “wild beet” or “meadow apple”.
Due to the fact that its leaves resemble the shape of a spear, in Latin the plant is called Rumex .
Sorrel, the benefits and contraindications to the use of which are still not fully understood, still remains a regular on our dining table. You need to use it in any case, but preferably fresh, while respecting the norm.