Vinegar Plant

[Bruce]

Does anybody have any information on how to begin or cultivate a
vinegar plant. They have been in Newfoundland homes for many years and
are the product is used in various Newfoundland recipes.

[Organic-Gal]

Do you know the botanical name? I know that (Rumex acetosella L) is
sometimes refered to as the "little vinegar plant" sour sally's or
sheep sorrel. It is a common weed but is an excellent salad green and
is is high in iron.

This is extremely easy to grow from seed. But I am not sure if this is
the plant you are speaking of.

Here is the profile:

Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)
Identification: A slender, smooth, sout-tasting perennial; grows 4 to
12 inches. Leaves arrow-shaped. Tiny flowers in green heads,
interrupted on stalk, turning reddish or yellowish.
Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat family)
Flowers: June - October..
Common Names: Common Sorrel, Field Sorrel, Red Sorrel, Sheep Sorrel,
Sour Dock, Sally Suckers, Sour Sally's, Sour Weed, Little Vinegar
Plant.
Habitat: Spreads rapidly through fields, roadsides, acid soils
throughout North America. Alien. Native to Europe.
Parts Used: Leaves and roots.
Constiuents: Anthraquinones (chrysophanol, emodin), oxalic acid,
tartaric acid, beta carotene, Vitamin C, and tannins.
Historical Uses: Throughout the centuries, the Sorrels have appeared in
historical archives as an unproven folk remedy for cancer in both
Europe and America. In the late 1740's, legislation was introduced in
Williamsburg, Virginia, that permitted Mrs. Mary Johnson to use this
plant as a treatment for cancer. In the 1868 Canadian Pharmacy Journal,
the leaves of both the Sheep Sorrel and the taller Common Sorrel (Rumex
acetosa) were included in the list of Canadian medicinal plants. In
1926, the National Cancer Institute received a recipe from Canada
citing an old Indian cure for cancer using a paste of this plant made
with bread. Historically, Sheep Sorrel has been known to prevent the
spread of contagious diseases such as the plague, and has overcome
fevers caused by cholera and malaria.
Medicinal Properties: Astringent, antiseptic, diuretic, hepatic,
laxative, and vermifuge (dewormer).
Uses: A tea made from the leaves & stems will act as a diuretic, and
may be helpful to support problems with gravel and stones. For mouth
and throat ulcers, a tea made from the leaves & flowers of this plant
may provide some relief. In China, raw Sheep Sorrel is given after
birthing to "cool" the reproductive area and prevent infection. This
herb is highly praised as a vermifuge - intestinal worms have no
resistance to the properties of this herb. Sorrel is also considered a
good remedy for stomach hemorrhage and profuse menstruation. One of
Sheep Sorrel's main claims to fame is its inclusion in the herbal tea,
Essiac, which is purported to be effective in the fight against cancer,
though this has never been clinically proven. Additionally, a tincture
of Sheep Sorrel has a very decided action in those cases where there is
a tendency for tissue degeneration. Past topical applications of Sheep
Sorrel are documented to be as a juice or poultice applied to acne,
ringworm, boils, sores and wounds.

[Nat]

Ask Phillip Hiscock in the Folklore Department at Memorial. He cultivates
them for himself and can certainly advise you.

Nat
"Bruce" <rbruce...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123518996....@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

[Nat]

Hi Organic Gal! Nat here. A vinegar plant isn't really a plant; it's a
fermentation, or kind of a homemade vinegar that some folks like to
make...you can share it in sort of in the same way that you would a sour
dough starter.
"Organic-Gal" <xploreo...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1123519763....@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...

[Organic-Gal]

Oh, I just assumed he was talking about a garden plant
:-$
:-)

But this "vinegar plant" does sound very interesting, I hope someone
does post some answers.

Thanks

Judie

[newfi...@gmail.com]

Hey there check out this website it teaches you ho to make your own vinegar
enjoy!!

http://www.squidoo.com/honeyvinegar