Herbal Highlight: {Purselane}
Disclaimer: We are not doctors or medical professionals and this is not medical advice. This is for traditional folkway informational purposes only. Do not consume any herb that is not positively identified by an experienced forager who is on scene physically. Herbs often have toxic and even fatal lookalikes. Never add any herb or supplement to your diet or regimen without first consulting your own primary care provider who is intimately familiar with your health history and diagnoses.
Purslane
This common “weed” is actually a superfood! This tasty treat contains the highest level of omega-3 fatty acids in the leafy green food world! Some claim that it actually contains more Omega-3 than fish oil! Now that is something to write home about! But that isn’t all! Purselane also contains 7 times as much vitamin E as spinach! It is also an excellent source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, phosphorus, iron, potassium, natural melatonin, and glutathione. Can we all stand back in awe that a “weed” that grows nearly everywhere is so amazing?
Now that you’ve had a general overview of some of the primary constituents of this superfood succulent, let’s talk about just a few of the benefits and medicinal uses. This will not be an encompassing account as purselane is touted as a potent medicine for everything from bug bites and psoriasis to edema, however, we will discuss those uses and benefits that are most sought after.
An apple a day? We think it should be purselane.
Since purselane is rich in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and many other vitamins and minerals it has proven itself as a potent immune-boosting herb. Whether you’re popping this as a snack, adding it to salads, or using it as a sandwich topping a serving of purselane per day will keep more doctors away than an apple ever did
No Heartbreak or Headaches Here
A cup of purselane contains 30 mg of magnesium, which is a key component in heart health. Those with low levels of magnesium are at increased risk of cardiac events and arrhythmias. Consuming an adequate amount of magnesium lowers your risk of heart attack, stroke, and can lower your blood pressure. This alone is a reason to add a daily dose of purselane to your diet….but there’s more! Magnesium deficiency has also been found to impact the frequency and severity of tension and migraine headaches as if you needed another reason to add this poppable snack to your diet.
Ah, Sugar Sugar
According to studies cited by the NIH, purselane has shown itself to have great potential in the areas of insulin resistance, weight loss, and high cholesterol. Purselane produced a significant effect when administered orally in bolstering the body’s insulin supplies as well as stabilization of glucose and insulin levels in the bloodstream. More research is of course needed in this area in order to learn more about purselane’s potential for those suffering from diabetes.
How We Use Purselane
On the homestead and compound, our traditional use of this herb is simply to add it to salads, sandwich toppings, or simply pop it as a snack.