Benefits of Gongura ( Sorrel )

An Overview

     Gongura is the Telugu(Indian language) version of the leafy green vegetable called Kenaf or Roselle. Gongura or sorrel leaves is a perennial leaf that has many culinary and medicinal uses. This leaves is origin from India country and useful for many various medical health. The herb is perennial and is commonly found worldwide. It is a plant used as food as well as medicine. The leaves are the most important and useful part of the plant. Its appearance resembles greatly to spinach. These leaves contain antioxidant compounds like polyphenolic compounds, anthocyanins and flavonoids which reduce the chances of cancer.

     It is very popular in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in India and is used for making a large variety of dishes such as gongura pachadi, gongura chicken, gongura pickle, gongura dal, gongura pappu and many more. The herb has a tangy and a sharp taste and is primarily used for treatment of nasal inflammation and sinusitis. The tang of the leaves is a result of the acid flavor due to binoxalate of potash. Apart from sour taste it also provides the medicinal properties to the plant.

     All varieties of gongura provide several nutritional benefits. It is a great choice for low-calorie and low-fat diets. It is a good source of carbohydrates, fiber and protein. It is also an excellent source of vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin C. Sorrel is a storehouse of minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. The prime health and medicinal benefits of Ambada or Sorrel (Gongura leaves) include cancer treatment, curing hypertension, reduction of inflammation and hair care. 

The Amazing Health Benefits of Gongura:

Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, gongura is great for improving your health and also in preventing many diseases. Some of the benefits offered by this herb are explained below:

• The intake of gongura is extremely beneficial to your body as it contains high amounts of antioxidant flavonoids that help get rid of the free radicals from your body.
• The rich nutrient profile of Ambada or Sorrel (Gongura leaves) helps in prevention of cancer by helping in the natural breakdown and reduction of tumor.
• Gongura is high in dietary fiber that can help improve your digestive health. Gongura also contains active antioxidant compounds known as anthraquinones that provides additional support to your digestive health. Therefore, it is normal that the leaves will produce a better digestive system inside the body.
• Ambada or Sorrel leaves (Gongura leaves) help in curing of several kinds of  Urinary infections and sexually transmitted diseases, owing to its antibacterial properties.
• It can help to avoid the fat formation inside the body. Furthermore, it will lead to avoid the blood cod inside the blood arteries.
• Gongura being a rich source of iron, helps in increasing the production of red blood cells thus preventing anemia caused by iron deficiency.
• Ambada or Sorrel (Gongura leaves) can be consumed by lactating mothers to reduce the milk supply when their young one has started to wean and they wish to stop breastfeeding.
• Another health benefits of gongura leaves including to improve the body metabolic rate in converting food into needed energy.
• Gongura also has the remarkable ability to lower the bad cholesterol or low density lipoproteins (LDL) levels and increase the good cholesterol or high density lipoproteins (HDL) levels in the body.
• Sorrel leaves possess laxative properties thus helps greatly in treating constipation.
• The leaves also contain vitamin C that can help to increase the body immunity. It will help the body to prevent diseases and bacteria or virus infection.
• Gongura is a great source of potassium and magnesium, making it a suitable remedy for hypertension.  By lowering the blood pressureof the body. The treatment proves extremely effective for patients with type 2 diabetes.
• Since it brings high content of fiber into the body, it can help to avoid the fat formation inside the body.
• It will manage to produce a smooth silky skin and prevent the possibility of experience skin inflammation such as acne.
• It is suggested to well cooking the leaves to avoid any parasite and bacterial infection into the stomach.
• Gongura has also been found to promote apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death of tumor cells.
• Ambada possesses antibacterial properties which prevents several infections and diseases.
• Gongura contains high levels of vitamin A that helps in improving eyesight and preventing night blindness. 
• The white blood cells are responsible for defending the body against pathogens, germs and other foreign invaders. It Strengthen your immune system.
• The leaves also a good anti oxidant. It can prevent the effect of free radical pollution and even the effect of UV light into the skin.
• They also have diuretic properties that prevent fluid retention by increasing the frequency of urination. This helps in preventing weight gain due to water retention. 
• The protocatechuic acid found in gongura leaves also aids in the detoxification of the body.
• It also increases the production of collagen that improves the elasticity and smoothness of the skin.
• Gongura is high in minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus all of which are important for maintaining strong and healthy bones.
• Scurvy is a disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin C in the body. Gongura is one such food that is high in vitamin C and hence is an effective remedy for scurvy.
• Gongura prevents the hair from becoming dry and dull. Being a good cure for hair loss, sorrel is also known to control and decelerate process of balding.

Therefore, try to add on this leaves in to the daily menu especially for people with diet treatment to help with an optimum diet result. Gongura is used in making many curries including Gongura Chicken, Gongura Mutton, Gongura Dal, Gongura pickle, Gongura flower chutney and  Gongura Pappu just to name a few.  Ambada is really effective when consumed in small amounts and become poisonous when consumed in excess owing to the presence of oxalic acid.