The weed has very tiny leaves which are very potent. Hybrid Sheep Sorrel has large leaves and is used for salads. The weed Sheep Sorrel is the only one which is to be used in the Essiac. Several manufacturers are using the hybrid sheep sorrel in place of the weed version. Legally people using Hybrid sheep sorrel can still call it sheep sorrel and not tell you it is the weaker version in their tonics and teas.
Sheep sorrel is a very important component in essiac.
If you are taking Essiac, your supplier should be able to help you with information on the herbs being used. Essiac is sold in hundreds of different varieties ranging from liquid form to tablet form. As I mentioned at the beginning, essiac is only essiac when it is in a liquid form and made properly from the correct herbs. Essiac that is in tablet or Pill form is not essiac and you should understand why. Essiac is only derived from brewing the herbs properly.