Sorrel: The Herb That’s Packed With Benefits!

A baby Sorrel plant. Notice the broad leaves that Garden Sorrel are known for.

We would like to introduce you to the herb called Sorrel, which is a new addition to the Orchard Hill Farm Family. Sorrel is not well known among herbs, but it’s characteristics and health benefits makes it very special.

Sorrel is a perennial herb plant (it comes back every year during growing season) that flourishes in the springtime when the weather is not too hot. Sorrel gets its name from the Germanic roots “sur,” which means “sour” in English. There are four main types of this herb: Garden, French, Blood, and Wood Sorrel. Currently we are growing the Garden and French variety at the Orchard Hill Farm. However, future plans include expanding to all four types.

So what does Sorrel taste like? Sorrel looks like a leafy green, but has a strong citrus taste. It is reminiscent of lemons. Sorrel is sharp, bright, and tangy, which works wonders in sauces, soups, and salads. The smaller, younger leaves are more tender, making them better suited to eat raw in salads or as garnish. The larger leaves should be cooked or sauteed into soups, sauces, and even fish!

The health benefits of Sorrel are plenty, but we will focus on just a few:

Digestive Health: Sorrel contains high amounts dietary fiber, which aids in digestion. Dietary fiber adds bulk to the stool and softens it. This decreases the pressure and makes it easier for stool to pass through the body. This can prevent or relieve constipation and diverticulitis.

Blood Pressure: Sorrel contains potassium, which help regulate cholesterol levels. With lower levels of blood pressure, events like heart attacks and strokes can be prevented.

Improved Eyesight: There are high levels of vitamin A in Sorrel. Vitamin A has been linked to eyesight improvement and reduction of cataracts.

Blood production: Finally, Sorrel has high levels of Iron, which is known to help in the production of red blood cells. High levels of red blood cells prevent health conditions like anemia.

Sorrel in the Geo-Dome.

Sorrel ready to be planted in the soil!

Our plan at Orchard Hill Farm is to continue growing our organic Garden and French Sorrel. We are growing these herbs in our Geo-Dome greenhouses (you can read about them here). The Sorrel plants were allowed to grow in their initial pots and then were transferred to the Geo-Dome once they got bigger.

Aren’t they beautiful? We will keep you posted on their growth so don’t forget to check back for updates!