Purslane and its amazing benefits

Purslane is considered a weed, often growing wild in cool, moist places along gardens and fields.

Ancient people often used purslane to prepare dishes such as stir-fries, salads, etc. But few people know that it is a precious medicinal herb given by nature with wonderful healing properties.

Purslane is a very popular vegetable in our country, grows wild and is very cheap. Purslane is also quite popular in Europe, the Dutch use it to make pickles, the French love purslane and process it into many special dishes, or in America there is purslane mixed with vinegar and oil... In addition, purslane is also a unique medicine that few people know about.

Purslane grows like grass and can be easily pulled out of your garden. Purslane is a broad-leafed plant that thrives in the summer and lives in the top layer of soil where grass grows. To verify that it is purslane, examine its leaves.

The leaves of the common purslane are oval and smooth, fleshy and jade-colored, creeping with branching if the plant grows alone, but if it grows in clumps the stem tries to grow upright.

Thick, oval leaves, about 1-2.5cm long, very small, bisexual yellow flowers, growing at the top of the branches. Small, black seeds, can retain the ability to germinate for up to 7 years (when stored). The flowers usually bloom in spring or autumn. The tree is suitable for loose soil, warm temperatures, and lots of rain.

There are two types of purslane, wild and cultivated. The wild type usually grows creeping and is only under 50cm tall, with green leaves and red-purple stems. The cultivated type has larger leaves and is usually yellow-green. The most common types are:

- Green Purslane: this is a wild, primitive variety that tends to grow more upright than creeping.

- Golden Purslane: has light yellow leaves, when cooked it tastes similar to the above type.

- Large-leafed yellow purslane (Portulaca Grandiflora): Leaves are thick and almost twice as large as the previous two varieties.

Purslane is a nutritious plant. According to the Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology: Purslane has 1.4% protein, 3% glucid, 1.3% ash, 85mg% calcium, 56mg% P, 1.5mg% Fe, 26mg% Vitamin C, 0.32mg% carotene, 0.03mg% Vitamin B1, 0.11mg% Vitamin B2 and 0.7mg% Vitamin PP.

Research in Taiwan shows that fresh purslane contains 1% potassium salt, while dried purslane contains 10%. French Pharmacists have discovered that purslane contains many unsaturated Omega 3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid. Omega 3 fatty acids improve the fluidity of cell membranes - a key element of vitality in the body.

The effects of Omega 3 fatty acids in protecting the cardiovascular system have been widely proven. In addition, it also has many other effects such as: preventing or treating diabetes, nervous system disorders, functional diseases...

Purslane leaves contain many antioxidants. These substances enhance the protective effect of Omega 3 fatty acids in cells by separating free radicals. To make medicine, choose large, red purslane, take the whole plant (remove roots) fresh or dried.

Purslane can prevent platelet aggregation, coronary artery spasm and thrombosis, so it is effective in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases.

Wound healing effect

When injured, if you take the crushed purslane leaves and apply them to the wound, the wound will heal faster. Purslane leaves help speed up the process of growing new skin. For minor wounds, bone injuries, etc., you can take the juice of purslane and apply it to the wound, or apply crushed fresh leaves, or boil concentrated purslane juice to drink. If the wound is external, you can apply purslane wine.

In case of severe wounds such as rotten ulcers, dry purslane leaves should be steamed until soft, then put in a damp cloth bag, tied tightly, and applied to the wound for 2 to 3 hours. Do not use a dry and cold cloth bag. You can also apply steamed purslane leaves directly to the wound, but be careful to use only damp purslane leaves.

Anti-aging effect

At the University of Wollongong (Australia) and the Washington Center for Genetics - Nutrition - Health (USA), research has shown that: 100g of fresh purslane leaves contain 300-400mg of alpha-linolenic acid, 12.2mg of alpha-tocopherol, 26.6mg of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 1.9mg of beta-carotene and 14.8mg of glutathione. The results show that purslane is rich in nutrients, unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

Preventing cardiovascular disease

According to Oriental medicine, purslane has a sour, slightly bitter taste, cool properties, and has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. The potassium and omega-3 acid content in purslane is relatively high, which is essential for regulating cholesterol in the blood, while increasing the strength of blood vessels, helping to stabilize blood pressure.

Antibacterial effect

Purslane is effective in killing bacteria such as Shigella (which causes dysentery), Salmonella typhi (which causes typhoid), and Staphylococcus aureus (which often causes boils). It also kills some pathogenic fungi.

Effects of purslane on uterine muscle

Purslane has the effect of stimulating uterine contractions. Tests on postpartum women who drank this extract showed an increase in uterine contractions. However, purslane causes uterine contractions, so pregnant women should not use purslane juice.

Antihelminthic effect

When you have tapeworm, the best way is to use fresh purslane to boil to get a concentrated juice. Then mix the purslane juice with a little vinegar and salt to drink. The most effective time to drink is in the morning, before you eat or drink anything.

Drinking like this for several days in a row will have a very good effect in eliminating worms. As for pinworms, you should use 50-100g of fresh purslane every day, wash it, crush it, squeeze out the juice and drink it. It will take about 5-7 days to see results. Note: Do not use purslane to treat diarrhea.

Treatment of kidney stones and urinary tract diseases

Put a handful of fresh or dried purslane leaves in a pot, then steep it in boiling water for 5 minutes and you will have a pot of purslane tea. Drinking hot purslane tea regularly helps to clear the urine and is a diuretic. If you have kidney stones, drink water boiled with purslane leaves and try to hold your urine until you can't hold it anymore.

At that time, all the stones will be expelled. Don't be afraid when your urine is tea-colored and thick like blood because that is a sign that the toxins in your body are being excreted!

When you have glomerulonephritis, cystitis, etc., you should soak 100g of purslane in hot water overnight. Then boil it, pour it into the bathtub or shower. Soak yourself in the warm purslane water for 10-20 minutes until you sweat, you will definitely feel much healthier.

Cure terminal illness

For difficult-to-treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hepatitis, cholecystitis, nephritis, etc., drinking purslane juice will have obvious effects. Because purslane contains 3 - 16% silicic acid, and the substances contained in purslane have the ability to cure many incurable diseases.

In fact, purslane has been proven to be effective in eliminating these pathogens and helping to remove gangrenous parts. In addition to drinking purslane juice, you can also apply hot purslane compresses as described above.

Note, purslane is contraindicated for people with weak spleen and stomach, diarrhea and pregnant women.

According to Alobacsi.vn