A 2018 study on the gastroprotective effect of purslane extracts in mice found that they helped to reduce muscle spasms effect. (16)
Other scientific studies have confirmed the traditional use of purslane extracts for treating digestive disorders. One study found that extracts from the purslane plant help lower gastric acid and can reduce the severity of gastric ulcers. (17)
Studies involving animal subjects found that purslane can help reduce diarrhea in cases of ulcerative colitis. (18)
Some health practitioners also recommend purslane supplements to help resolve digestive complaints.
Learn about more natural remedies to get your digestive system working as it should.
Purslane Weed Can Help Manage Diabetes Symptoms
Taking purslane plant extract regularly could benefit you if you have type 2 diabetes.
Many studies have shown that purslane weed can help to address many of type 2 diabetes symptoms.
For example, a 2019 systematic review of trials found that purslane herb can help regulate blood glucose levels. (19)
One study involving rats found that purslane herb is a potential anti-diabetic remedy. Purslane helped to increase antioxidant levels and reduce diabetes-related inflammation. (20)
There are also studies involving humans showing the potential for the purslane plant to manage diabetes symptoms. For example, consuming purslane seeds could help prevent a buildup of plaque in the arteries. The study showed that taking 2.7 g of purslane seed daily could help improve overall blood markers in people with diabetes. (21)
A 2016 study involving adults with type 2 diabetes found that taking purslane supplements 3 times a day helped to lower blood pressure in adults with type 2 diabetes. (22)
If you have symptoms of type 2 diabetes, it is extremely important to avoid blood sugar spikes. Learn about the best foods to help control symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Purslane Helps Soothe Skin Inflammation, Wounds and Burns
One of the many benefits of growing purslane in your garden is that you can use it to treat cuts, grazes, sunburn, or damaged skin. The cooling and healing properties of purslane mean that it is a good plant to use for soothing irritated and inflamed skin.
Purslane weed is good for wound healing because it is a rich source of antioxidants. Some studies show that purslane extracts also have specific wound healing activity. In some cases, applying extracts from the purslane plant helped wounds to heal faster. (23)
Extracts from purslane also has good anti-inflammatory activity, and there is some evidence to suggest that eating purslane leaves or applying them topically can help to reduce skin allergies. (25)
Other research into the dermal benefits of purslane has found that it has a cooling and soothing effect on the skin to reduce skin inflammation and redness. A fresh-leaf purslane poultice can help to treat insect bites, burns, eczema, itchy skin, and skin abscesses. Common purslane leaves may also be good to relieve atopic dermatitis. (24)
To help treat a sunburn, small cuts, or minor wounds, make a fresh leaf poultice by crushing up some purslane leaves, or make purslane leaf juice by putting fresh purslane leaves through a juicer. Apply to the sore, red skin, and loosely cover with a gauze and bandage. Change the purslane poultice twice a day and continue applying until the wound heals.
To help nourish your skin from the inside, you could eat purslane leaves by adding them to your favorite green smoothie.
To help prevent secondary skin infections, it is important to care for wounds properly. Learn about the do’s and don’ts of caring for wounds. Proper wound care can help you prevent scars from forming on the wound.
Purslane Can Help Treat Inflammatory Diseases
Eating succulent purslane leaves can benefit your health due its anti-inflammatory effect.
Although short-term (acute) inflammation is essential to fight infections, long-term (chronic) inflammation can lead to a number of serious health diseases. (26)
Extracts of purslane stems and leaves can help to inhibit the release of enzymes that cause inflammation. One small study involving humans found that purslane extracts have the potential to be used therapeutically in helping to treat inflammatory diseases. (27)
Consuming a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods such as purslane can help manage pain and reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Purslane Weed is Good for Bone Health
If you suffer from, or are at risk from osteoporosis, increasing the amount of purslane leaves you eat could benefit your bones.
One of the reasons why purslane plant benefits bone health is because it contains many important minerals. Purslane has calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus which promote healthy bones. (28, 29)
Other studies have found that antioxidant compounds in purslane help to boost bone mineral density. Trials on animal subjects found that purslane compounds stimulated bone cells that help to build bone tissue. The researchers concluded that purslane has potential use in treating disease related to loss of bone mass. (30)
To keep your bones healthy and reduce your risk of a fracture, it’s important to consume foods that increase bone density. You may also be interested to find out about sources of calcium that are dairy-free.
Purslane Weed has Anticancer Properties
Purslane contains a number of phytochemicals and antioxidants that have potential use in treating cancer.
A 2019 pharmacological review of studies found that purslane extracts have the potential to help suppress tumors. Other compounds in purslane help to strengthen the immune system and can protect cells from DNA damage. (25)
Of course, more research needs to be done on how purslane can be used in cancer therapy.
Learn how you can help to lower your risk of developing cancer by following the anti-cancer diet.
Growing Purslane
The best way to get purslane is to grow it yourself. Purslane plants thrive well in gardens and in pots, so even if space is limited, you should be able to grow this nutritious medicinal plant.
You can grow purslane plants from seeds or by propagating stems from the plant. You can buy seeds online to plant, or you can obtain the seed pods in springtime from purslane plants.
How to grow purslane
Scatter some seeds on the top of the soil in a pot and put the pot in a well-light place.
If using stem cuttings, you can put them directly into damp soil for them to take root.
Keep the soil moist while the seeds are germinating. They should take about 2 weeks to sprout.
As a word of advice, purslane is called a weed because it is quite invasive and can quickly spread. You should cut a purslane plant before it starts to flower. This will help prevent your garden from becoming overrun with wild purslane, or simply grow it in a pot.
How to Eat Purslane
There are many ways to consume purslane to benefit from all its nutrients. Remember to thoroughly wash all leaves and stems before eating them raw or cooking with them.
If you are concerned about the oxalate content, you can enjoy this medicinal plant without worrying. If you are cooking with purslane leaves, then boiling them can reduce oxalate levels by up to 87%. (31)
Recipe ideas to eat purslane:
Toss a handful of purslane leaves into some lettuce and other greens to give the salad a tangy crunch.
Add purslane leaves to stews, curries, or soups to add seasoning and crunch to your meals.
Use purslane leaves as a health-boosting ingredient to create delicious sweet or savory smoothies.
