Purslane Cures
"Portulaca oleracea (Common Purslane, also known as Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed or Pusley), is an annual succulent in the family Portulacaceae, which can reach 40 cm in height. About 40 varieties are currently cultivated. It has an extensive old-world distribution extending from North Africa through the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent to Malesia and Australasia.
"In Greek popular medicine, purslane is used as a remedy for constipation and inflammation of the urinary system.
"A common plant in parts of India, purslane is known as "Sanhti", "Punarva", or "Kulfa". In North India it is known to act as a liver tonic and is used in diseases of the liver.
"Known as Ma Chi Xian (pinyin: translates literally as "horse tooth amaranth") in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to treat infections or bleeding of the genito-urinary tract as well as dysentery. The fresh herb may also be applied topically to relieve sores and insect or snake bites on the skin."
Source: Wikipedia
DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
GROWING PURSLANE
10/03/2009: Wendy from Farmington, Mi: "Hi, I have not used purslane medicinally yet, but I can verify that it is very tasty! I was introduced to it in an event at Matthei Gardens in Ann Arbor which included a tour of the herb garden. Our guide had us all taste purslane, and I loved it!
I have ordered purslane seeds online to grow a more upright variety of the plant, and I have also uprooted some from public sidewalks that no one seemed to want. Be careful though! Purslane has a poisonous look alike (spurge) Purslane leaves are plump and shiny, the leaves of the lookalike are flat and not shiny at all. Spurge gives off a milky sap when the stem is broken, so if you see that, don't eat it! If you have any doubt, just buy the seeds.
If you google purslane, you will find all kinds of info on how to grow it and recipes."
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PURSLANE FEEDBACK
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[YEA] 07/07/2009: Deirdre from Earth Clinic: "I heard about purslane back in April when my husband's friend Mark was visiting from Canada and raved to us about it. Took me a couple months to get around to it, but I finally ordered the capsules from Canada (dreadfully expensive, unfortunately) two weeks ago and now can provide initial feedback on the herb. I also called Mark to ask for his feedback to post on Earth Clinic, since he's been taking it for over 2 years now.
First, Mark's feedback:
Mark has an anemic condition since having his spleen removed in his early 20s... His hemoglobin count was 80-85 for most of his adult life. Now it is 110. The only new thing he has added to his diet has been the purslane supplements, of which he takes 2 a day. His energy level has increased on it, also his sleep is better. Finally, no cold sores for the entire amount of time he's been on it.
My initial feedback after 7 days:
Increased stamina, which has shown up most obviously in karate. My energy typically ebbs by the end of the week when I am tired from training a few days in a row. Not so since taking purslane. Of course it's been too soon to know if this initial increase of energy will last, but I will report back in a few months.
Next - sleep. Yep, it's true. Deep, restful sleep. Vivid dreams too.
Will give another update in a few months, but this is my initial report on purslane for now. Hopefully some of the reputable US herbal companies will give this common weed notice and come to market with some affordable/competitive pricing. For now our choices are to pay $57 for a bottle of 60 pills from the only company producing purslane capsules, or consuming copious amounts of purslane in order to get the 500 mg!!
P.S. The only side effect I have experienced is feeling somewhat dehydrated upon waking. So increased water a night is a good idea!"
Replies07/07/2009: Rena from Mineral Bluff, Georgia replies: "Hi Deidre From Earth Clinic, You can purchase Purslane powder for as little as $15.00 to $18.00 a pound and encapsulate them yourself. I never buy the herbs from stores anymore, so much cheaper to make them myself, Peace, Rena."
EC: Thanks, Rena! Any idea how much mg. of purslane you get from a capsule's worth of the powder?
07/08/2009: Rena from Mineral Bluff, Georgia replies: "Hi Deidre From Earth Clinic,
It does depend on the size caps you are using, and the density of the powder since Mg is a weight measurement. I can give you approx: This was taken from the cap website.
"000" 1370 mgs.
"00" 950 mgs.
"0" 680 mgs.
"1" 500 mgs.
I only use the "00" size myself, and the machine that goes with that size. When you purchase the machine, be mindful of the size the machine says on the package, and the size caps you choose to use. The one machine does not work on all size caps, only the size indicated on the package. I can tell you from experience, a one pound package of herb powder will fill over 1,500 capsules with the "00" caps. Now talk about cost effective, Peace, Rena."
EC: Thanks so much for the info, Rena. Great to know...
Deirdre
04/04/2010: Gloria from Brentwood, Ny replies: "Verdolaga it's a weed. My family used it for salads, it's very tasty and healthy. My grandmother used to say that verdolaga was one of the best cure-all herbs. Sadly people don't eat it anymore. I'm considering this summer to add it to every salad I make. You don't need to buy capsules or anything just go to your sidewalk and pull it just as you can do with dandelion. I laugh when I see people spending money at the supermarket from buying a bunch of dandelion and then they come home and de-weed their yard from the same plant!! "
10/15/2011: Deanna Michelle from Shreveport, Louisiana replies: "Does anybody know where can I purchase quality herb powders? Thank you in advance for caring and sharing."
10/15/2011: Bess from Calgary, Alberta, Canada replies: "Hi Deanna - I know quite a few people who have ordered from Mountain Rose Herbs and always seemed satisfied. They have organic, non-irradiated and ethically harvested products. Their Web site is:http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/
The other one that is very popular is:
Or check your health food store - sometimes they have large glass dispensary jars with various herbs, some powdered, and you can measure out the amount you need. Be sure to get organic herbs, though.
Good luck! Bess"
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WHERE TO BUY: INDIA
10/19/2009: Mudassir (mmnazar(dot)info(at)gmail(dot)com) from Hyderabad, India: "hi we are suppliers of pursline seeds in bulk quantity in india any body need please contact us to my email, mmnazar.info@gmail.com or 919392389863"
EC: Pursline is the same as Purslane, we hope?!
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WHERE TO BUY: USA
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[YEA] 04/26/2010: Merryanne from Orange City, Florida, Usa: "Hello, This is Merryanne in Central FL,,I just found Purslane for sale in my neighborhood,,I went to an open air market, it is always there on Saturday and Sunday,but I had not been to it in several years, well I was looking at the Mexican tables of produce and was schocked!!! There lay stacks of bundled purslane for $1.75, I was shocked,,I have spent a lot of time online looking for it and it is in my own neighborhood,,,If anyone is looking for it try you spanish stores, especilly the Mexican stores,,The man there said it is farmed just like there other crops. So I am going to start eating it and learn to make smothies."
Replies04/28/2011: Nancy from Deland, Fl replies: "Merryanne, I too have been looking for Purslane! I live in Deland, FL. Where exactly in Orange City did you find the Purslane?? Thanks very much."
[YEA] 09/15/2011: Purslane from Farmington, Mi replies: "Hi! I am Mexican, and also a chef. Purslane is a common herb in traditional mexican cuisine. Almost every ethnic mexican store that carries fresh vegetables will carry it. Purslane is known by its high content in iron, which is higher than in spinach.A common way to eat it is in a dish called "cerdo con verdolagas" (pork with purslane). It is made by making a green sauce with tomatillos, and then adding cooked and fried pieces of pork, and lots of purslane stems. All this is simmered until the purslane its cooked. I have made my US colleagues tried it and they loved it!! They would hardly believe that they were eating what in here, the US, is considered "a weed"."
12/04/2011: Dan from Colorado Springs, Colorado replies: "If you are in the market for purslane supplements, go to Natural Plantation.com They have several different products using purslane. All the best."
12/30/2011: Amyg from Houston, Texas, Usa replies: "Is this is same type of Purslane that is sold at plant nurseries? My family owns a small nursery, we mainly sell bedding plants for the landscape. (begonias, petunias, pansies, ect. ) We also sell common purslane, it comes in several colors. I was wondering if this is the same kind that is being used medicinally or if it is a different variety. Thank you for your feedback!"
01/06/2012: Joyce from Joelton, Tennessee replies: "Amy, the answer to your question is probably yes, but if you want to be positive just type "purslane/pictures of" in your search window. I know I have eaten the plump little leaves off some of the purslane that I bought from a nursery with no problems.I have also eaten some leaves off moss roses and other purslane plants growing wild with no problems."
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