It has the effects of clearing away heat and dampness, detoxifying and reducing swelling, reducing inflammation, quenching thirst and diuresis.

It is rich in nutrients such as dihydroxyethylamine, malic acid, glucose, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin E, carotene, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Purslane has an outstanding nutritional characteristic. Its omega-3 fatty acid content is higher than that of humans and plants. Omega-3 fatty acids can inhibit the body's absorption of cholesterol acid, reduce blood cholesterol concentration, improve the elasticity of blood vessel walls, and are very beneficial to the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Eating raw or cooked, the soft stems can be cooked like spinach. However, if you are not used to its strong taste, don’t use too much. The leaves at the top of the purslane stem are soft and can be cooked like watercress, used in soups or used in sauces, mayonnaise and stews. Purslane is cooked with grated radish or mashed potatoes, and can also be cooked with onions or tomatoes. Its stems and leaves can be marinated in vinegar and eaten.

Extended information

Purslane, also called Purslane, is an annual herb of the order Dianthus and the Purslane family. The whole plant is hairless. The stems lie flat and spread on the ground, and the branches are light green or dark red. The leaves are alternate, flat, thick, and dentate-shaped, with dark green above and light green or dark red below.

The petiole is thick and short. The flowers are sessile and bloom at noon; the bracts are leaf-shaped; the sepals are green and helmet-shaped; the petals are yellow and obovate; the stamens and anthers are yellow; the ovary is hairless. The capsule is ovoid; the seeds are small, obliquely spherical, dark brown, and shiny. The flowering period is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from June to September.

It is produced in all parts of northern and southern China. It likes fertile soil, tolerates drought and waterlogging, and has strong vitality. It grows in vegetable gardens, farmland, and roadsides. It is a common weed in the field. Widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions around the world. The whole plant is used for medicinal purposes and has the effects of clearing away heat and dampness, detoxifying and reducing swelling, reducing inflammation, quenching thirst, and diuresis; the seeds improve eyesight; it can also be used as veterinary drugs and pesticides; the young stems and leaves can be used as vegetables, with a sour taste, and are also good feed.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Purslane