Portula oleracea
Family: Portulacaceae
Parts Used: whole plant
Family: Portulacaceae
Parts Used: whole plant
Herbal Actions and Properties
- noradrenaline (hormone that reduces bleeding)
- antioxidant
- antimicrobial
- antibiotic
- antifungal
- antiparasitic
- anti-inflammatory
- diuretic (increases urine flow)
- demulcent, emollient
- febrifuge (fever reducer)
- tonic
- nutritive
- cooling
Uses
- Rich in omega-3 fatty acids supporting brain and heart health.
- Can lower cholesterol and high blood pressure.
- Can help with chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Useful for fungal infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch and ringworm.
- Supports and strengthens the lungs and aids in respiratory conditions, opening airways.
- Aids in digestion, helpful for diarrhea and stomach ache.
- Soothes inflammatory conditions throughout the body, including the gut.
- Urinary tract infections and dysentery.
- Strengthens the immune system.
- Earache (use leaf juice).
- Soothes and helps heal bruises, burns, skin conditions and sores (poultice or juice).
- Insect bites and stings (poultice).
- Intestinal worms (ingest crushed seeds).
- Rich in vitamins and minerals.
Methods of Use
- Food: the best way to utilize this plant is to pick it and eat it. The leaves have a citrus taste. Add to salads, stir fry, soup or just pop leaves in your mouth and eat.
- Juice
- Poultice
- Tea or tincture
Wildcrafting
Purslane is a common weed found in disturbed areas, lawns, and gardens. It has succulent leaves with red stems. The plant can be harvested at any time. Pick the leaves as you need them or you can pull up the entire plant. It is best used fresh but can be dried for future use.
Caution
Hairy stemmed spurge looks similar to purslane. The differences would be that spurge has hairy stems, while purslane has smooth. If the stem is broken spurge will have a milky sap, where purslane does not.
