Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), also called common sorrel or garden sorrel is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Polygonaceae. Other names for sorrel include spinach dock and narrow-leaved dock (‘dock’ is a common name for the genus Rumex).[rx]
Sorrel is a common plant in grassland habitats and is often cultivated as a leaf vegetable or herb. Sorrel is a slender herbaceous perennial plant about 60 centimeters (24 inches) high, with roots that run deep into the ground, as well as juicy stems and arrow-shaped (sagittate) leaves.[rx] The lower leaves are 7 to 15 centimeters (3 to 6 inches) in length with long petioles and a membranous ocrea formed of fused, sheathing stipules. The upper ones are sessile and frequently become crimson. It has who
| Dock vegetable Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Dock vegetable |
| Scientific Name: | Rumex crispus |
| Origin | Europe and Western Asia |
| Colors | Brown |
| Shapes | Achene, 3.5-6 x 3-6 mm |
| Calories | 29 Kcal./cup |
| Major nutrients | Vitamin C (70.89%) Iron (39.88%) Vitamin A (38.00%) Magnesium (32.62%) Tryptophan (28.41%) |
Dock (with scientific name Rumex Crispus) is also known from other common names such as a yellow dock or curled dock. It is a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the Polygonaceae family, inherent to Europe and Western Asia. The plant is erect, perennial with solitary stems about 6 to 15 dm long, glabrous to sparsely papillose-pilose. Leaves are about 16-60 cm long and 0.8-6 cm wide. Leaves are lanceolate or narrowly oblong to lanceolate. Basal ones are glabrous to papillose with strongly undulate, crisped margins, obtuse or acuminate apex, and 2 to 30 cm long petioles. Flowers are perfect and more than 15 in open verticils and more/less widely spaced in leafy and racemose, paniculate inflorescences, recurved, and slender pedicles. Outer tepals are 1.2-1.5 mm long and valves measure 1.8-2.2 mm long. Nuts are glossy, dark brown, and measure 2.2 mm long. The root structure is yellow and forking taproot.
Calories 29 Kcal. Calories from Fat 8.37 Kcal.
| Proximity | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 123.69 g | N/D |
| Energy | 29 Kcal | N/D |
| Energy | 122 kJ | N/D |
| Protein | 2.66 g | 5.32% |
| Total Fat (lipid) | 0.93 g | 2.66% |
| Ash | 1.46 g | N/D |
| Carbohydrate | 4.26 g | 3.28% |
| Total dietary Fiber | 3.9 g | 10.26% |
| Minerals | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium, Ca | 59 mg | 5.90% |
| Iron, Fe | 3.19 mg | 39.88% |
| Magnesium, Mg | 137 mg | 32.62% |
| Phosphorus, P | 84 mg | 12.00% |
| Potassium, K | 519 mg | 11.04% |
| Sodium, Na | 5 mg | 0.33% |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.27 mg | 2.45% |
| Copper, Cu | 0.174 mg | 19.33% |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.464 mg | 20.17% |
| Selenium, Se | 1.2 µg | 2.18% |
| Vitamins | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Water-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) | 0.053 mg | 4.42% |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.133 mg | 10.23% |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.665 mg | 4.16% |
| Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.055 mg | 1.10% |
| Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) | 0.162 mg | 12.46% |
| Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 17 µg | 4.25% |
| Folate, food | 17 µg | N/D |
| Folate, DEF | 17 µg | N/D |
| Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) | 63.8 mg | 70.89% |
| Fat-soluble Vitamins | ||
| Vitamin A, RAE | 266 µg | 38.00% |
| Vitamin A, IU | 5320 IU | N/D |
| Amino acids | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Tryptophan | 0.125 g | 28.41% |
| Threonine | 0.136 g | 7.73% |
| Isoleucine | 0.222 g | 13.28% |
| Leucine | 0.153 g | 4.14% |
| Lysine | 0.047 g | 1.41% |
| Phenylalanine | 0.152 g | N/D |
| Tyrosine | 0.11 g | N/D |
| Valine | 0.177 g | 8.38% |
| Arginine | 0.144 g | N/D |
| Histidine | 0.072 g | 5.84% |
| Alanine | 0.176 g | N/D |
| Aspartic acid | 0.241 g | N/D |
| Glutamic acid | 0.287 g | N/D |
| Glycine | 0.152 g | N/D |
| Proline | 0.154 g | N/D |
| Serine | 0.102 g | N/D |
| Flavonols | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Kaempferol | 13.7 mg | N/D |
| Myricetin | 7.6 mg | N/D |
| Quercetin | 114.6 mg | N/D |
*Above mentioned Percent Daily Values (%DVs) are based on 2,000 calorie diet intake. Daily values (DVs) may be different depending upon your daily calorie needs. Mentioned values are recommended by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are not healthbenefitstimes.com recommendations. Calculations are based on average age of 19 to 50 years and weigh 194 lbs. Source: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/
Health Benefits of Dock vegetable
- Constipation relief
The herb contains glycocides and anthraquinones which makes it a potent laxative. It soothes inflamed intestinal linings and also stimulates free bowel movement to support constipation and indigestion. It stimulates the production of stomach acids and enzymes. Take this tea three times a day.
- Enhance digestion
Dock helps to solve stomach issues. It assists in treating indigestion or heartburn by counterbalancing stomach acid. It promotes digestion by stimulating the release of stomach acid as well as digestive enzymes. Intake yellow dock in form of tea three times a day before a meal to promote digestive health.
- Skin health
Apply the ointment made from this herb to abrasions, skin lesions, sores, and eruptions. Native Americans use the powdered pulp of herb and apply to various skin ailments.
- Acts as antioxidant
Scientific study shows that root has antioxidants that neutralize free radicals preventing tissue as well as cell damage, especially in the liver. Such benefit could be experienced with an intake of tea made of herb extracts.
- Helpful for anemia
The root of the yellow dock helps to improve iron absorption in the intestines. Moreover, iron assists in red blood cells production and combat anemia. It contains holistic chemicals known as bioflavonoids which strengthen capillaries and assist blood circulation. It is also helpful for constipation and skin problems.
- Laxative activity
Yellow dock enhances digestion as it acts as a natural laxative. It contains a small number of anthraquinone glycosides which support the release of water in the intestines and promote the release of bowels. When used in form of tea, it provides relief from constipation.
Culinary uses
- Leaves are cooked as well as consumed raw.
- Add leaves to salads, soups or cook as a potherb.
- Roasted seeds are used as a substitute for coffee.
Medicinal uses
- It is used to treat mild constipation and various skin problems.
- It provides relief from diarrhea.
- It is used to treat diarrhea, constipation, bleeding of lungs, and piles.
- A poultice made from roots is used to treat ulcers, sores, wounds, and skin problems.
- When used excessively, it could cause nausea, gastric disturbance, and dermatitis.
- It is used to treat cough.
Side effects
- Plants have high oxalic acid levels.
- Cooking helps to lower oxalic acid content.
- It might worsen the condition of arthritis, rheumatism, hyperacidity, or kidney stones.
- People using drugs such as diuretics, Miacalcin, Dilantin, and mithracin should not use a dock.
- Avoid its use by people with liver disease, kidney disease, and electrolyte abnormality.
- Consult the health practitioner if experienced seizures, fatigue, numbness around the mouth, and muscle spasms.
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