Herb & supplement monograph

Sorrel Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS ·Updated July 2026

What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Sorrel interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Sorrel is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Sorrel is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Sorrel

169 medications have a known interaction with Sorrel, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

Tell us the medications you take and we’ll check each one against Sorrel using our pharmacist-reviewed interaction data.

AI summaries are generated from our Sorrel interaction data for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI

2,830 drugs

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Sorrel combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

The big picture

The kinds of drugs Sorrel affects

Every type of medication (drug category) Sorrel is known to interact with. Open any category for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

All 3 drug categories Sorrel interacts with

Anticoagulant/antiplatelet DrugsFexofenadine (allegra)Organic Anion-transporting Polypeptide Substrates (oatp)

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, sorrel might cause additive effects and side effects when used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro, sorrel has been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation. However, this effect has not been reported in humans.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Fexofenadine (Allegra)

Sorrel might reduce the effectiveness of fexofenadine by reducing its absorption from the gut.
In vitro research shows that an ethanol extract of sorrel inhibits organic anion-transporting polypeptide 1A2 (OATP1A2), which transports fexofenadine from the intestine into cells. In rats, concomitant administration of sorrel extract with fexofenadine reduces oral absorption of fexofenadine and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC).

Likelihood Likely Evidence D

Organic Anion-Transporting Polypeptide Substrates (Oatp)

Sorrel might reduce the effectiveness of OATP substrates by reducing their absorption from the gut.
In vitro research shows that sorrel inhibits OATP1A2. Theoretically it may inhibit other OATPs. The OATPs are expressed in the small intestine and liver and transport drugs into cells. Inhibition of OATP may reduce the bioavailability of oral drugs that are substrates of OATP.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Monograph

Sorrel: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS · Reviewed July 2026 ·

The bottom line

Sorrel is a tangy, leafy herb used in cooking and traditional medicine, often for congestion, digestion, and inflammation. Solid human evidence for any health benefit is limited, and its high oxalate content means it should be used in moderation, especially by people prone to kidney stones.

Scientific name: Rumex acetosa
Family: Polygonaceae
Part used: Leaves (and sometimes whole aerial parts)
Common forms: Fresh leaves in cooking, tea, dried herb, tincture, and as an ingredient in some herbal combination products

People commonly use it for

Sinus and respiratory congestion
Digestive upset
Fever
Skin conditions and inflammation
Antioxidant support

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance

OverallUse caution

Generally safe as a food in normal amounts, but high oxalate content can be a concern with large or concentrated doses.

PregnancyPossibly Safe

When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of sorrel used in medicinal...

Read the full pregnancy detail

BreastfeedingPossibly Safe

When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of sorrel used in medicinal...

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

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Overview

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa) is a leafy perennial herb known for its sharp, lemony, sour taste. It grows in temperate regions around the world and is a common garden and wild plant.

People most often use sorrel as a food, adding its tangy leaves to soups, sauces, and salads. It has also been used in traditional medicine, and sorrel is one of several herbs found in some popular herbal combination products marketed for sinus and respiratory health.

The sour flavor comes from oxalic acid (oxalate), the same compound that gives the herb its tartness and also raises some safety considerations.

How it works

Sorrel contains plant compounds such as flavonoids, anthraquinones, polyphenols, vitamin C, and oxalic acid. In test-tube and animal studies, some of these compounds show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and a few have shown effects against certain bacteria.

Researchers think the antioxidant compounds may help reduce cell stress, while certain components may help thin mucus, which is one reason sorrel appears in some sinus formulas. These mechanisms are largely based on laboratory research and do not prove the herb will help people.

Effectiveness

Does Sorrel work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD.

Evidence overview · 3 uses evaluated

3 Insufficient evidence

How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.

2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.

3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.

4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.

5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.

6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.

7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.

For Sorrel, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.

Also studied for 3 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Breast cancer

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Oral sorrel has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Bronchitis

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Although there is interest in using oral sorrel for bronchitis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of sorrel for this condition.

Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Rhinosinusitis

Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Oral sorrel has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

Eaten as a food in normal amounts, sorrel is generally considered safe for most healthy people. The main concern is its high oxalate content. Large amounts or concentrated extracts can raise the risk of kidney stones and may, in rare cases, cause more serious problems.

People who should be especially careful include those with a history of kidney stones, kidney disease, gout, or rheumatoid arthritis, since oxalates may worsen these conditions. Children have become seriously ill from eating very large amounts of raw sorrel.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Using sorrel as a normal food ingredient is likely fine, but medicinal or concentrated amounts have not been shown to be safe. To be cautious, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid sorrel supplements and large medicinal doses.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using sorrel as a supplement, especially if you take other medicines or have a health condition.

Side effects

In food amounts, sorrel is usually well tolerated. Some people may have mild stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea.

Because of its oxalate content, large or frequent doses may contribute to kidney stones or, rarely, more serious kidney problems. Very large amounts can cause more severe oxalate poisoning, which is rare but potentially dangerous. Stop use and seek medical care if you have severe stomach pain, vomiting, or symptoms of a kidney problem.

Sorrel: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Sorrel from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Reports by condition

Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) Pulmonary/Respiratory

Environmental exposure to sorrel pollen may trigger allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma in hypersensitive individuals, and allergic cross-sensitivity may occur in up to 19% of people who are allergic to weed pollen.

Gniazdowska, B., Doroszewska, G., and Doroszewski, W. [Hypersensitivity to weed pollen allergens in the region of Bygdoszcz]. Pneumonol.Alergol.Pol. 1993;61(7-8):367-372.

Hypophosphatemia Renal

Sorrel contains oxalates; irolithiasis and nephrosis may be caused by the systemic absorption of oxalates and may result in kidney damage. A case of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) has been reported in a 12-year-old who consumed an unknown amount of wild sorrel. The patient presented with polyuria, hypophosphatemia, proteinuria, glucosuria, and hyperoxaluria. Recovery occurred after oral rehydration and electrolyte replacement. The TIN was likely due to formation of calcium oxalate crystals in the kidneys.

Nausea and vomiting Gastrointestinal

Orally, sorrel, when used in combination with other herbs, has been reported to cause gastrointestinal side effects including nausea and an unpleasant aftertaste.

Neubauer N, Marz RW. Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, clincal trial with Sinupret sugar coated tablets on the basis of a therapy with antibiotics and decongestant nasal drops in acute sinusitis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:177-81.
Marz RW, Ismail C, Popp MA. Action profile and efficacy of a herbal combination preparation for the treatment of sinusitis. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149:202-8.
Zick, S. M., Sen, A., Feng, Y., Green, J., Olatunde, S., and Boon, H. Trial of Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer (TEA-BC). J Altern Complement Med 2006;12(10):971-980.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

There is no well-established standardized medicinal dose for sorrel. As a food, it is used in normal culinary amounts.

When sorrel appears in herbal supplement products, the amount varies by brand. Follow the directions on the product label and do not exceed the recommended dose. Because of the oxalate concern, it is wise to avoid taking large amounts over long periods. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting any sorrel supplement.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Sorrel & Pregnancy

Possibly Safe

When used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of sorrel used in medicinal amounts during pregnancy and lactation; avoid using.

Sorrel & Breastfeeding

Possibly Safe

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 8 references that drive our Sorrel monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Neubauer N, Marz RW. Placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, clincal trial with Sinupret sugar coated tablets on the basis of a therapy with antibiotics and decongestant nasal drops in acute sinusitis. Phytomedicine 1994;1:177-81.
Marz RW, Ismail C, Popp MA. Action profile and efficacy of a herbal combination preparation for the treatment of sinusitis. Wien Med Wochenschr 1999;149:202-8.
Zick, S. M., Sen, A., Feng, Y., Green, J., Olatunde, S., and Boon, H. Trial of Essiac to ascertain its effect in women with breast cancer (TEA-BC). J Altern Complement Med 2006;12(10):971-980. PubMed
Sanz, P. and Reig, R. Clinical and pathological findings in fatal plant oxalosis. A review. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 1992;13(4):342-345. PubMed
Gniazdowska, B., Doroszewska, G., and Doroszewski, W. [Hypersensitivity to weed pollen allergens in the region of Bygdoszcz]. Pneumonol.Alergol.Pol. 1993;61(7-8):367-372.
Selçuk SN, Gülhan B, Düzova A, Teksam Ö. Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis due to large amount of sorrel (Rumex acetosa) intake. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2015;53(5):497. PubMed
Ahn JH, Kim J, Rehman NU, Kim HJ, Ahn MJ, Chung HJ. Effect of Rumex Acetosa Extract, a Herbal Drug, on the Absorption of Fexofenadine. Pharmaceutics. 2020;12(6):E547. PubMed
Jeong D, Irfan M, Lee DH, Hong SB, Oh JW, Rhee MH. Rumex acetosa modulates platelet function and inhibits thrombus formation in rats. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2020;20(1):98. PubMed

Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

Brand directory

Brands that make products with Sorrel

67 brands in our database make a supplement containing Sorrel.

Amvilab 48 products Arise & Shine 16 products Baar Nature's Blessing 21 products Barlow Herbal 13 products Bioforce 26 products Bionorica 2 products BioScience International 1 product BIOVEA 1,494 products BN Baseline Nutritionals 28 products California Academy of Health 219 products ChiroNutraceutical 11 products Christopher's Original Formulas 140 products Coast Science 18 products Country Life Realfood Organics 39 products Doctor Morse's Healing Herbs 47 products Dr. Clark Store 116 products Dr. Morse's Cellular Botanicals 79 products Drucker Labs 11 products Earth Friend Herb Co. 66 products Eden Formulations 4 products Elevate Recovery Supplements 35 products Energetix 283 products Enzymatic Therapy 675 products Essiac 3 products

Product directory

Supplement products with Sorrel

236 products in our database contain Sorrel. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Sorrel: Common Questions

What is Sorrel used for, and does it work?

People use Sorrel for a range of reasons, but according to the Natural Medicines database the current clinical evidence is insufficient to confirm it works for the specific conditions it has been studied for. See the graded list on this page, and talk to your pharmacist or doctor before relying on it for any condition.

Does Sorrel interact with prescription medications?

Yes. We list 169 medications with a known interaction with Sorrel. Use the checker above to see how Sorrel interacts with a specific drug.

How are Sorrel interactions rated?

Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.

Is it safe to take Sorrel with my medications?

It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.

Where does this Sorrel interaction information come from?

Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.

What is Sorrel used for?

People use Sorrel mainly as a tangy culinary herb, and in traditional medicine for fever, congestion, digestion, inflammation, and skin issues. It is also an ingredient in some herbal sinus products, though strong human proof for most uses is lacking.

Is Sorrel safe to eat?

For most healthy people, Sorrel is safe in normal food amounts. Its high oxalate content means large or concentrated amounts should be avoided, especially if you are prone to kidney stones.

Can Sorrel cause kidney stones?

Sorrel is high in oxalate, which can contribute to kidney stones in some people, particularly with large or frequent intake. If you have a history of kidney stones or kidney disease, talk to your doctor before using it regularly.

Can I take Sorrel while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Using Sorrel as an ordinary food ingredient is likely fine, but concentrated or medicinal amounts have not been proven safe. To be cautious, avoid Sorrel supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless your doctor approves.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Keep exploring

Products that contain Sorrel

A rotating sample of real supplements in our database that list Sorrel — open any to see its full ingredients and every drug interaction we check.

See all 236 products with Sorrel →

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Sorrel Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Your Choice:

Drugs that interact with Sorrel

Don’t want to scroll the list? Just ask.

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

Where This Data Comes From

The kinds of drugs Sorrel affects

Sorrel: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Overview

How it works

Does Sorrel work?

Safety & precautions

Side effects

Sorrel: Reported Adverse Effects

Dosing

Sorrel & Pregnancy

Sorrel & Breastfeeding

References & further reading

Brands that make products with Sorrel

Supplement products with Sorrel

Sorrel: Common Questions

Related supplements & herbs

Products that contain Sorrel

Have a question about Sorrel?