Red Sorrel, known by various names like gongura, ambadi, and pulicha keerai in various parts of India comes in two varieties namely the green leaf and the red variety the latter being more sour than the former. The leaves are bitter, mildly astringent and have an acidic taste. Hence Caribbean people prepare an exotic deep red sorrel punch, a sweet fruit drink with a wild sourness from the flowers of the this plant.

The herbal leaves of Red Sorrel have the health benefit of being very effective in relieving the symptoms of fever. Red Sorrel helps to cool any inflammation and heat in the blood. Fresh leaves of the red sorrel help to stimulate the stomach and to sharpen the appetite.

In addition red sorrel is the herb that helps to cools the liver. A liquid mixture prepared with these flowers and wine helps to cure jaundice and ulcerated bowels. The powder or the liquid strained out of the leaves of this herb has been found to be useful in the case of stones in the kidney also. Jaundice can be effectively treated if the juice of fresh red sorrel leaves are mixed with buttermilk and taken a few times daily.

Red sorrel leaves lessen the heat in the body. So it has the health benefit of curing sickness and fainting arising out  of excess of heat. Heat strokes and sunstroke can be effectively treated. A juice of red sorrel with buttermilk helps to revive ones spirits when one is very tired or demotivated.

Red sorrel can be combined with the juice of fumitory and used to provide cure from itch. Its leaves can be combined with vinegar to provide relief from ringworm and treat a sore throat. In addition the leaves of red sorrel have a high content of Vitamin C in them that help to build up immunity to diseases. So one has the most prominent health benefit of  being healthy and strong. The high level of Vitamin C in its leaves helps to prevent and treat scurvy, which is the outcome of deficiency in Vitamin C.

Red sorrel leaves can be combined with burnt alum and citric acid and applied on scrofulous deposits like cutaneous tumors to give relief. In addition its seeds and roots are used in cure of stem hemorrhage for its astringent properties. The roots and leaves of this herb are used in cases to resist scorpion poison.

To end, red sorrel leaves can be easily consumed as salads, sauces, pickles and in vegetables to reap the full health benefits of this useful herb.