10 Health Benefits of Sorrel
Sorrel is a type of perennial herb that is found living naturally throughout much of Europe and in parts of Asia. It is often used in salads just as it is, while it is also used in a range of dishes, particularly soups.
There was a time when sorrel was far more common than it is now, only to almost disappear, but its popularity is slowly returning.
In addition to being tasty, sorrel is also nutritious and is finding popularity in people that want a healthy living diet. It is thought to provide us with a range of health benefits, some of which you will find listed below.
Sorrel Benefit #1: Prevents Cancer
Some types of cancer are curable, but many others are not. Still without a cure, we are often left to treat the symptoms to help prolong life and improve quality of life. We are still committing to a great deal of research, though, and we are getting ever closer to the answers we need to know.
We have also learned quite a lot about what causes cancer, and oxidation is one cause. This is a natural process that causes damage at the cellular level. While we cannot completely stop this process, we can at least help to slow it down. Antioxidants help to protect us against oxidation, and antioxidants are found in sorrel.
Sorrel Benefit #2: Immunity Boost
We didn’t always have access to medicine. For a long time, we were at the whim of nature and there was always a threat from pathogens. We were not completely helpless, though, because we have evolved immune systems that help to keep us safe. The immune system is still very important to us today.
Such is the value of our immune system that it makes a lot of sense to look after it. One way you can achieve this is to eat the right types of food. This can include eating sorrel because the herb is a good source of vitamin C, which is well known for its ability to keep the immune system strong.
Sorrel Benefit #3: Weight Loss
Being overweight puts a lot of strain on our overall health. It makes our organs work harder than they should have too, and this can lead to catastrophic failures in the long term. Being overweight can also affect how happy we are, with obesity being a major contributor to depression.
Sorrel contains an acid that helps the body to release an enzyme known as amylase. This enzyme helps the body to break down calories from sugar and starch that would otherwise be converted into fat. There is still more work to be done to lose weight, but sorrel can help, even if only a little.
Sorrel Benefit #4: Stress Relief
Too much stress is not good for us. It can affect our mental well-being while it can also have an impact on our physical health. Plus, it can also have an impact on our quality of life. In severe cases, prolonged stress can even drive people to take their own lives, so it is something that should be taken very seriously.
The main hormone that causes stress is cortisol. Studies have shown that compounds in sorrel are able to help reduce the levels of cortisol, therefore also helping to reduce stress. This can be very beneficial for us overall, even if it is only temporary.
Sorrel Benefit #5: Lowers Blood Pressure
A high blood pressure is a potentially serious matter and not something that should be taken lightly. It is sometimes caused by diseases or by hereditary conditions that are difficult to manage. Often, though, it is a result of not taking proper care of your body. Fortunately, the latter cause is relatively easy to manage.
If you have a high blood pressure then eating the right kinds of foods can help remedy the problem, and sorrel may be able to help to this end. Studies carried out showed that patients that regularly drunk sorrel tea saw a decrease in their blood pressure.
Sorrel Benefit #6: Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is the main cause behind conditions such as arthritis. The inflammation causes tissues to be forced tightly against each other. This can be painful and, such as with arthritis, it can also lead to an inability to move the joints freely. People with severe cases can find that their mobility is almost entirely restricted.
Help is at hand, though, as we can usually at least try to treat the symptoms. There are medications that can help, while patients can also try using natural remedies. Such a remedy can be found in sorrel, and studies have shown it has properties that can help relieve inflammation.
Sorrel Benefit #7: Eases Menstrual Cramps
Where reproduction is concerned, it’s important that fertilized eggs have a safe place to develop and this is provided by a lining of blood in the uterus. Approximately once a month, this lining is flushed from the body so it can be replaced with a fresh one. This is a process that we commonly know as menstruation.
The process can be very uncomfortable for some women, and one fairly common symptom is cramps. In some parts of the world, however, sorrel tea is used to help relieve the cramps and other unwelcome symptoms of menstruation. For the best effects, you should start drinking sorrel tea a few days before your period is due.
Sorrel Benefit #8: Prevents Heart Disease
Heart disease is one of the biggest killers of middle-aged people around the globe. As such, it is a good idea to do what you can to prevent it, or at least to treat it the best you can. This mostly means taking care of yourself, getting plenty of exercise, and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
Studies have shown that sorrel is able to help reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood. These are often responsible for high blood pressure and blocking of the blood vessels. This, in turn, means that it can help to prevent heart disease, or at least treat the symptoms.
Sorrel Benefit #9: Relieves Constipation
Things will get blocked up in our digestive system from time to time. It can be down to various causes, including sickness, although it is often caused by what we have eaten. It will usually pass in good time with no harm done, but the discomfort it can cause means we will want it dealt with sooner rather than later.
Medicinal remedies are available for constipation, while there are also numerous natural remedies that can help. Sorrel is thought to have properties that can stimulate bowel movements, helping to deal with constipation. Indeed, even the ancient Egyptians used sorrel for that very reason.
Sorrel Benefit #10: Reduces Fever
If pathogens are able to get a foothold in our body, then they can cause havoc. They can multiply out of control despite efforts by white blood cells to defeat them. This can cause us to become very ill and, in severe cases, it can kill us. However, our bodies have another weapon available that can help them win the battle.
In order to help kill invading pathogens, our immune system will sometimes make our body hotter than usual. This is known as a fever, and it can help to kill or slow any invaders. It is still important to us today, but it can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. There are ways to reduce a fever, and using sorrel is one of them.
