Purslane, or Portulaca oleracea, is a succulent edible weed that grows wild throughout the United States. The leaves have a piquant, tangy flavor, akin to watercress, and can be eaten raw or cooked. Purslane--packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals--has been employed for both culinary and medicinal uses for many centuries. If you choose to bypass the farmer's market and pick your own, however, you should consult an experienced herbalist for confirmation before eating it. The University of Illinois Extension cautions that you should make sure the plant is free of pesticides as well.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
According to drugs.com, purslane is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, containing an impressive ratio of 8.5 mg per gram. According to "Natural Home Magazine," omega-3 fatty acids are vital in maintaining heart health, and may help lower cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and reduce risk of heart attack and stroke. Drugs.com concurs that purslane has heart-protective effects, stating that the herb has beneficial effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Vitamins
The thick, teardrop-shaped leaves of the purslane are loaded with vitamins. Nutrition and You notes that purslane is an excellent source of vitamin A, offering up 1320 IU per 100g, or 44 percent of the recommended daily value. Vitamin A is needed for good vision, as well as for maintenance of healthy mucous membranes and skin, and may have chemoprotective effects. Purslane is also an excellent source of vitamin C--a powerful antioxidant--as well as providing B-complex vitamins, such as vitamin B-2, or riboflavin, vitamin B-3, or niacin, and vitamin B-6, or pyridoxine.
Minerals
Purslane also packs a nutritional punch when it comes to minerals, especially considering its low calorie count: a modest 16 calories per 100g. Purslane is a good source of calcium, containing 65mg. per 100g, and also delivers potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper.
Medicinal Uses
Purslane, prescribed by the 17th-century physician Nicholas Culpepper for the treatment of gout, has a long history of herbal medicinal use. Herbs 2000 notes that purslane has diuretic qualities. Drugs.com credits the herb with being helpful in treating urinary tract infections and digestive problems, and states that it has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. Herbalists have long recommended purslane for menstrual problems and abnormal bleeding, and there is some scientific research supporting its use. In a clinical study conducted by Shobein and colleagues and published in the October, 2009 issue of "Phytotherapy Research," researchers found that 80 percent of women with abnormal uterine bleeding reported reduced duration and volume and bleeding, along with normalization of periods, after being treated with purslane.
Safety of Purslane
Drugs.com notes that purslane has been consumed for centuries, and is safe to eat. However, the website cautions that people with kidney stones should use caution.
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