Background

• Historically, sorrel has been used as a salad green, spring tonic, diarrhea remedy, weak diuretic, and soothing agent for irritated nasal passages. Sorrel has been used with other herbs to treat bronchitis and sinus conditions in Germany since the 1930s. The possible benefit of the multi-ingredient product, Sinupret®, has recently been supported by clinical studies. Sorrel is also found in the proposed herbal cancer remedy, Essiac®, but effectiveness has not been proven.
• Sorrel contains oxalate (oxalic acid), which is potentially toxic in large doses. Organ damage and death were reported following ingestion of a concentrated sorrel soup. Other adverse and drug/herb interactions are possible.

References

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