This global use isn’t just culinary—it’s medicinal, too. Many cultures have used it to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin problems.
6. A Powerful Medicinal Ally
Purslane doesn’t just feed the body—it may also help heal it. Traditional herbalists have long used it for its therapeutic properties, and modern science is beginning to support many of these uses.
Traditional uses include:
- Treating ulcers, diarrhea, and gut inflammation
- Soothing skin irritations and burns when crushed and applied
- Helping control blood sugar and cholesterol
- Supporting kidney and liver function
Emerging scientific research suggests:
- Its omega-3s and antioxidants may reduce inflammation, a root cause of many chronic diseases.
- Some compounds in purslane may help lower blood glucose, offering promise for managing type 2 diabetes.
- Antioxidants like glutathione and betalains could support cellular repair and slow aging.
While it’s not a miracle cure, integrating it into your diet could act as a gentle and natural support for overall well-being.
7. Good for the Planet
Purslane is a friend of sustainable agriculture and regenerative gardening.
Why it’s eco-friendly:
- Water-wise: Its succulent leaves retain water, needing far less irrigation than lettuce or spinach.
- Reduces soil erosion: Its spreading habit acts like ground cover, protecting the soil and reducing weed competition.
- No chemicals required: It resists many pests and diseases naturally.
- Grows where others won’t: It can make use of otherwise barren patches in your garden or yard.
If you’re looking for a climate-resilient crop that doesn’t deplete the environment, purslane is a top candidate.
8. Free, Abundant, and Accessible
One of the best things about purslane? It’s often already growing around you. Many people mistake it for a weed and destroy it without realizing the treasure at their feet.
If you spot purslane in your yard:
- Make sure it’s not growing in chemically treated soil.
- Confirm its identity: purslane has thick, reddish stems, small succulent leaves, and yellow flowers.
- Harvest it! Give it a good rinse and use it like spinach or arugula.
Once you recognize it, you’ll start seeing it everywhere—in sidewalk cracks, driveways, and neglected corners. It’s nature’s generous gift, growing without asking anything in return.
Bonus: How to Identify and Harvest It Safely
Since many plants can look similar, it’s important to correctly identify purslane before harvesting wild specimens.
Identification tips:
- Stems: Reddish, smooth, and thick.
- Leaves: Teardrop-shaped and fleshy, arranged in clusters.
- Flowers: Tiny, bright yellow, usually with five petals.
- Taste: Mild, lemony, and slightly salty.
Be careful not to confuse it with spurge, which is toxic. Spurge has milky sap and thinner leaves—avoid any plant that exudes white sap when snapped.
Conclusion: A Plant Whose Time Has Come
Purslane (verdolaga) is the kind of plant that overturns everything you thought you knew about gardening, nutrition, and cooking. It’s easy to grow, profoundly nutritious, deeply rooted in global food traditions, and—yes—tastier than meat to many who’ve discovered its earthy, lemony charm.
Whether you’re trying to eat healthier, grow more sustainable crops, or simply experiment with new ingredients, this “weed” might just be your next superfood obsession.
So next time you see a patch of purslane in your garden—don’t pull it. Pick it, eat it, and celebrate the fact that some of the best things in life really are free.
