Common purslane (vegetable purslane, Portulaca oleracea L.) supports digestion, regulates metabolism, alleviates heartburn, has an antioxidant effect, tones, helps with difficult to heal wounds. What active substances are in purslane? What other properties does it have? What are the indications and contraindications for its use?
Common purslane(vegetable purslane,Portulaca oleracea L. ) is a common plant whose he alth and taste qualities are not always appreciated.
It grows almost all over the world, in the most remote parts of the globe, but in many places it is treated as an ordinary weed. It's a pity, because this small plant, growing up to 30-40 cm tall, is a rich source of, among others vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids.
It looks inconspicuous - it has a red-purple stem, fleshy, rounded, not too long leaves, and bright yellow flowers during flowering.
In Poland, it occurs practically everywhere, the first mentions of purslane in our country come from the 18th century, most likely it came to us from Asia.
Because it is not too demanding, it adapts quickly to changing conditions, although it grows best in slightly sandy or clay soils in a humid climate.
Purslane: valuable ingredients
Purslane grows wild, it can also be grown, for example, in a pot. For medicinal and culinary purposes, both the stems and leaves are used, in which there are valuable ingredients.
Purslane contains, among others such substances as:
- saponins
- glycosides
- organic acids (ferulic, sinapic, aspartic, glutamic)
- vitamin A
- vitamin C
- B vitamins
minerals:
- magnesium
- potassium
- iron
- calcium
- manganese
- phosphor
- sodium
and large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (a comparable amount is found in fish, e.g. in halibut).
Thanks to this, purslane has an antioxidant effect, i.e. it removes excess free radicals from the body that damage cells and lead to their premature aging.
It also supports the proper functioning of the heart and the entire circulatory system, normalizes glucose levels, strengthens bones and eyesight. But itnot everything.
Thanks to its properties, it also affects the digestive system, including:
- supports digestion as it stimulates the secretion of digestive juices
- regulates metabolism
- relieves heartburn
- eliminates flatulence
- helps with ailments associated with diarrhea.
It is also used in the case of difficult-to-heal wounds (also, for example, after insect bites or stings), ulcers, and even in the case of hemorrhoids, because it supports the healing process and at the same time has a toning effect.
Purslane: use in the kitchen
Purslane is used not only for medicinal purposes, but also for culinary purposes.
It's very popular in Greece, especially in Cretan cuisine. In that region, it is added not only to salads, but also, among others, for soups, meat or fish dishes.
Purslane can be eaten raw, as a spice or cooked.
The last method is used to prepare it similarly to spinach, i.e. first wash the leaves thoroughly, then put them in boiling water and cook for about five minutes. During this time, you should s alt them, you can also add a little sugar, because purslane is quite sour and tart.
You can also not boil them, but only blanch (you have to put them in boiling water for 1-2 minutes and then into cold water). In our country, purslane is eaten mostly raw - the leaves are added to salads or cocktails.
Purslane: how to prepare it?
For typically medicinal purposes, you can prepare a decoction of purslane. To do this, pour one tablespoon of fresh herbs into one glass of boiling water, and then cook it for no more than a quarter of an hour.
So prepared broth leave to cool. We use one teaspoon, maximum three times a day. The same decoction can also be used externally to wash wounds or ulcers.
Purslane: contraindications
Purslane is well tolerated and there are no major contraindications to its use.
It is not recommended only for pregnant women and people suffering from the so-called lazy gut syndrome.
People who have kidney problems should be especially careful, because purslane contains oxalic acids, which can cause additional problems with the urinary system.