Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

The ancient Greeks regarded sorrel as a magical herb because it was used to successfully treat many diseases, such as high fever, rickets in children, scurvy, wounds in the mouth, bladder and kidney problems, etc. Externally it was used as a compress for burns or rubbed into the skin for scabies. We now know that the “magic” of this plant is in its high vitamin C content. Sorrel is not only exceptionally rich in vitamins A, C, and B9, as well as some essential minerals, but it also possesses powerful anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. It’s rich in oxalic acid which enables it to arrest metastasizing cancer cells. However, because of the high oxalic acid content, sorrel may not be suitable for those suffering from rheumatism, and kidney stones. To benefit from this fantastic herb, include it in your diet as often as you can. You can use it as a fresh or dried herb in salads or soups, or as tea. It adds a lemony flavor to sauces and can replace lemon in salad dressing.

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Helps digestion

There are different varieties of sorrel, and they are all high in fiber. Dietary fiber is important for good heart health because it helps reduce cholesterol. Besides, sorrel has laxative properties and can help with various digestive disorders. As a tea, it can be used to prevent constipation, bloating, and stomach cramps, however, too much can cause diarrhea.

Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Stabilizes blood sugar levels

Besides healthy living habits, food rich in potassium, a mineral necessary for healthy blood vessels and arteries, helps you maintain optimal blood sugar levels. Sorrel is loaded with important minerals, including potassium, which helps your cardiovascular system function smoothly. Consuming it regularly, regardless of the form you take it in, will lower your blood pressure, and thus reduces the chance of blood clotting.

Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Prevents cancer

Sorrel is very rich in antioxidants, which protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants have many functions in the body, cancer prevention being one of the most important ones. One of the varieties, the so-called sheep sorrel, is particularly good for breast cancer, because of its high content of vitamins, minerals, and particularly chlorophyll. Studies show that chlorophyll increases the supply of oxygen in the body, and this destroys cancer cells because they cannot survive in an oxygen-rich environment.

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Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Improves eyesight

Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight. As sorrel is very rich in this vitamin, so including it in your diet, either fresh or dried, will greatly improve the health of your eyes. Besides, beta-carotene in vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that is important for the prevention of some age-related eye diseases. Beta-carotene is also known to help prevent premature aging.

Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Boosts your energy levels

Sorrel is rich in iron, which not only prevents anemia but increases your overall energy levels. By improving oxygen circulation throughout the body, sorrel indirectly improves the health of all your vital organs and bodily functions. One of the reasons good oxygen circulation in the body is very important is that it creates an environment where cancer cells cannot multiply and grow.

Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Boosts immune system

Sorrel is exceptionally high in vitamin C, and 1 cup of this herb provides 100% of your daily requirements for this vitamin. This means that including this herb in your diet is a relatively easy way of ensuring good health throughout the year. Considering that vitamin C helps you fight infection, and inflammation, as well as free radicals, and boosts your immune system, you should make it a priority to stock up on this herb.

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Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Regulates hypertension

High blood pressure is the most common cause of stroke, and heart attack, so regulating hypertension should be the priority of everyone suffering from cardiovascular diseases. To reduce blood pressure naturally, try drinking sorrel tea. This is particularly relevant to those who happen to have type-2 diabetes. 2-3 cups of sorrel tea a day (every day), can significantly lower your blood pressure.

Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Prevents hair loss

Sorrel can be successfully used to help reduce the dryness of hair, and all commercial hair care products use this herb. Sorrel can even help slow down baldness if regularly applied to affected areas. It’s an effective, 100% natural cure for hair loss, as well as other damaged-hair problems.

Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Strengthens bones

Being rich in calcium, sorrel helps maintain healthy bones. This is particularly important for women, who after menopause start losing bone mass pretty quickly. Something as simple as adding sorrel to your salad, or soup, can prevent osteoporosis in old age. The trick is to start using sorrel before the first signs of age-related bone diseases appear.

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Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

Has antibacterial properties

Sorrel is rich in antibacterial properties which help you fight all kinds of infections. It is successfully used to treat wounds, urinary infections, scurvy, ulcers, boils, jaundice, chronic catarrh, ringworm, fevers, and itchy skin.

Surprising Health Benefits of Sorrel

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