Purslane is highly beneficial for health and beauty and can be taken daily to address a number of different ailments. The green leafy vegetable consists of a plethora of important nutrients and has a tart flavor blended with streaks of sweet and sour. In this Article, you can find 15 Superb purslane benefits to stay fit and healthy.
What is Purslane?
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a green leafy vegetable that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is popular throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe and has been in use since ancient times for its rich medicinal properties. The entire plant can be eaten including its flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves.
If you are wondering about where to buy purslane, then you should know that the vegetable is easily available at the local grocery store, supermarket and can even be purchased from an online grocery store.
The vegetable is also available at local and online drug stores in the form of dietary purslane supplements of 400 milligrams dosage per capsule.
Purslane Nutrition Facts
Purslane is richly loaded with omega 3 fatty acids and huge amounts of dietary fibrous content, vitamins A, B-Complex and C, and minerals like iron, manganese, calcium, potassium, copper, and magnesium. It also consists of betalain and melatonin pigments and carotenoids.
How to eat purslane?
In the culinary department, purslane is used in salads, soups, and stews. A few simple and homemade purslane recipes are given below.
1. Purslane, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad
Ingredients:
- Cucumber -1
- Tomato – 1
- Bunch of fresh purslane
- 1 chili pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons of lemon juice
- A pinch of salt
Procedure:
- Peel and quarter the cucumber lengthwise and then remove the seeds
- Chop the slices after the seeds are discarded
- Chop the tomato and keep the pieces aside
- Remove the thick stems from the purslane and then chop the leaves
- Mince the chili pepper
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl
- Add the salt and lemon juice and mix well before serving
Recommended Read: Cucumber Water Health Benefits
2. Purslane and Yogurt Salad
Ingredients:
- 3 cups full of fresh purslane leaves
- A cup of plain yogurt
- Fresh mint leaves
- Olive oil.
Procedure:
- Wash the purslane leaves and chop them into tiny pieces
- Keep the purslane stems
- Mix the yogurt with the purslane in a salad bowl
- Refrigerate this for some time
- Garnish the chilled salad with mint leaves and drizzle it with olive oil before serving.
Medicinal Benefits of Purslane
The medicinal benefits of purslane(1) include the vegetable’s ability to facilitate shedding of excessive body weight and aid in the preservation of cardiac and digestive health. Regular consumption of purslane ensures healthy growth and development of children.
It helps in the prevention of cancer, provides protection to the skin, preserves ocular health, strengthens body immunity and keeps the body well-nourished and functioning.
Purslane Seeds Benefits
Purslane seeds are edible in nature and are vested with health benefits. Some of the medicinal benefits for purslane seeds include-
- Purslane seeds are highly beneficial for the cure of type 2 diabetes.
- Purslane seeds aid in the regularization of menstrual bleeding and control of premenopausal symptoms. It also helps in the cure of abnormal uterine bleeding.
- Purslane seeds aid in the prevention and natural cure of liver cancer and provide protection from the side effects of chemotherapy.
Top 15 Health Benefits of Purslane
Purslane is highly beneficial for health. Its rich nutritional composition helps to stay fit and well nourished. A handful of common Purslane health benefits are elucidated below.
1. Purslane Benefits of Cardiovascular Health
The omega 3 fatty acid content of purslane makes it highly beneficial for cardiac health. The healthy omega 3 fatty acids reduce the level of bad cholesterol and protect the body from atherosclerosis.
The omega 3 fatty acids of purslane aids in the regulation of blood pressure, prevents the hardening of arteries and protects against the deposition of toxic plaque in the arteries. Purslane also contains potassium that behaves as a vasodilator by relaxing the blood vessels and reducing cardiac strain.
Also Read: signs of a heart attack
2. Purslane Benefits for Losing Excessive Weight
The green leafy vegetable helps in weight loss because of its rich content of dietary fiber and low calories. Consumption of purslane aids in the acceleration of metabolic rate that promotes the shedding of excess body weight. Being rich in dietary fiber, it helps to feel full without any significant rise in calorie intake.
Recommended Read: Broccoli Benefits Weight Loss
3. Purslane Leaves Benefits for Digestive Health
Purslane has been extensively used since ancient times for the natural treatment of gastric problems like intestinal ulcer, diarrhea, dysentery and intestinal hemorrhoids. The compounds of purslane include dopamine, citric acid, malic acid, glucose, alanine etc.
Purslane is loaded with fibers which make it profoundly effective for the preservation of gastrointestinal health. The fibers get fermented by the guttural bacteria and maintain gastrointestinal well-being. The insoluble fibrous content facilitates the regular bowel movement.
The green leafy vegetable, when taken in salads or in the stew, is highly effective in the cure of irritable bowel syndrome treatment of oral and lung cancer.
4. Purslane Skin Benefits
The purslane leaves are loaded with juicy and nutritious sap that is highly effective for the cure of skin problems. The sap can be applied topically to the skin to cure inflammation, minor cuts, scrapes, bruises and burn, insect bites and rashes.
It can also cure dryness of skin by keeping it well-nourished and hydrated. Purslane leaf sap is an effective natural remedy for eczema and boils. Purslane is packed with antioxidants like carotenoids which is highly beneficial for the rejuvenation of skin health.
You can even prepare a face mask using the sap to cleanse and refresh your facial skin. The antioxidants destroy the toxic free radicals and protect the skin against oxidative damage and deterioration inflicted by the ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Purslane is rich in vitamins which makes it an excellent home remedy for suntan and sunburns. It nourishes the skin and makes it soft and supple. Regular massaging with purslane leaf sap face mask induces the secretion of healthy oils that prevent wrinkling of the skin and keeps it well moisturized thus preventing eczema.
When applied topically, the sap can cure inflammation of the skin caused by snake bites, bee stings, and insects.
5. Wild Purslane Benefits for the Prevention of Cancer
The high vitamins A and C content of wild purslane makes the vegetable quite beneficial for the treatment of oral and lung cancer. Its betacyanin and betaxanthin content are anti-mutagenic in nature.
Wild purslane is loaded with antioxidants that destroy free radicals and prevent the development of cancer(2). Purslane can fight against cancer by reducing the metastasis of cancer-affected cells.
6. Purslane Plant Benefits for Ocular Health
The beta-carotene and vitamin A content of Purslane plant aids in the improvement of eye health. Regular consumption of purslane helps in the prevention of macular degeneration and protects the ocular health from cataracts by the elimination of toxic free radicals that inflict oxidative damage to the eyes.
Purslane can also cure visual impairment and problems like blurred vision and painful eyes.
7. Purslane Benefits for Healthy Teeth and Strong Bones
Purslane is rich in magnesium, calcium, manganese, and iron all of which are minerals that are highly beneficial for strong and healthy bones and teeth. It prevents the disease called osteoporosis and helps in the development of bone tissues in the body.
Calcium contained in purslane aids in the development of firmly rooted teeth and improves bone density.
8. Purslane Benefits for the Cure of Anemia
The disease anemia is characterized by the deficiency of RBCs or red blood cells in the body. The level of hemoglobin decreases drastically and the patient starts to feel fatigued and ill. The chief cause of anemia is the deficiency of the mineral iron in the body.
Purslane is packed with iron which makes it highly beneficial for the prevention and cure of anemia. It also contains vitamin C that enhances iron absorption and thereby increases the level of RBCs in the body.
9. Purslane Benefits for the Protection against Renal Bone Disorder
A renal bone disease is an outcome of renal or kidney failure that is characterized by weak and fragile bones. In renal bone disease, the activation of vitamin D fails and as such calcium does not get absorbed into the body.
This results in weakening of bones and rickety bones. The high calcium content of purslane protects the body against the disease and aids in the strengthening of all the bones in the body.
10. Purslane Benefits for the Natural Cure of Diabetes
Purslane is rich in antioxidants that aid in lowering high blood sugar. The rich content of dietary fibers helps in curbing any sudden spike in blood glucose level. Persons suffering from diabetes go through the oxidative stress and aortic stiffness.
The rich variety of antioxidants present in purslane protects the diabetics from oxidative damage and helps in keeping blood sugar under control.
11. Purslane Benefits for the Natural Cure of Respiratory Problems
The high content of vitamin C in purslane makes it highly effective in the natural cure for respiratory disorders like coughing, common cold, breathlessness, chest congestion, asthma, bronchitis and more.
Regular consumption of purslane nourishes the body with vitamin C which is highly essential as a nutrient to prevent respiratory infections and preserve the health of the lungs.
12. Purslane Benefits for the Natural Remedy of Arthritis
Being vested with strong anti-inflammatory properties, purslane fights against osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and arthritic pain of osteoporosis. Purslane aids in the alleviation of arthritic pain and cures the swelling and inflammation of joints. It is also useful for the natural cure for muscle cramps and aches.
13. Purslane Benefits for Healthy Tresses
Purslane sap can be effectively used for strong and healthy hair. Prepare a hair spa mask using purslane sap, egg white, and coconut oil. Massage the scalp and smear your hair with the mask. This will keep the scalp nourished with essential nutrients and prevent the occurrence of dryness and dandruff.
Purslane sap is also effective in the natural treatment of scalp psoriasis through thorough and nutritious moisturization. The anti-inflammatory action of purslane protects the scalp from Cicatricial alopecia that is characterized by permanent balding through irreparable damage to the scalp and roots.
14. Purslane Benefits for the Development of the Child
Research has revealed that purslane is highly beneficial for the prevention of developmental problems in children. Its rich content of omega 3 fatty acids has a significant impact on the prevention of disorders like dyslexia, autism, ADHD in children(3).
15. Purslane Weed Health Benefits For Fighting Against Infection
Purslane is vested with medicinal benefits like anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It inhibits bacterial growth, especially in the intestinal and oral regions. It is also known for curing the infections in the urinary tract.
Purslane Side Effects
Purslane contains a high level of oxalic acid that when ingested leads to the development of kidney stones. However, when boiled in water, the oxalic acid gets removed while the essential nutrients get retained. In spite of being a safe medicinal herb, purslane has a few side effects as given below.
- The vegetable has a contraction effect on the uterus of pregnant women
- The herb should be avoided by people who are suffering from digestive problems and kidney stones.
FAQs
1. Can you eat raw purslane?
Response: Purslane can be eaten raw and is highly beneficial for health. However, it is not recommended to eat raw purslane as it contains a high level of oxalic acid which is toxic for health.
2. Is the plant purslane edible?
Response: The plant purslane is edible in nature but is recommended to be eaten in salads and stews to derive the maximum health benefits.
3. Where can purslane be found?
Response: Purslane is found all over the world and is either uprooted as weeds or is eaten for health benefits.
