Common purslane is an herbaceous, annual weed species that was introduced in Hungary from America, and which has spread widely since. Stems are recumbent, succulent in character, its small leaves are light green, elongated ovate, sessile, and juicy. Its small yellow flowers stand singly or in groups of three at the tip of shoots and in axils, fruits are capsules: purslane renews itself easily by scattering its many tiny seeds. In cultivated areas, in sunny locations, and in loose, nutrient rich soils, it is to be found everywhere. Kitchen-garden purslane (Portulaca oleracea var. sativa) is cultivated as a special vegetable; its fresh shoots are consumed in salads, or are made into vegetable dishes and soups. It has the same demands as its wild relative. In gardens, moss rose, or sun plant (Portulaca grandiflora) tirelessly and abundantly brings forth its yellow, orange, red or deep pink simple or double flowers, even during the hottest summers.
Common purslane was already used as a medicinal plant centuries ago. In his work, Herbárium (1578), Melius recommended the seeds, leaves, and pressed juice of this plant for many disorders: ulcers, kidney troubles, diarrhoea, the shivers, etc. He also recommended applying it externally to itching, painful wounds, inflammations of the breast, or to cure the umbilical stubs of newborn infants. Almost two centuries later, Csapó distinguished between “gentle purslane” and “wild purslane” in his work, “Új füves és virágos kert” (“New Herb and Flower Garden” 1775), the former being Portulaca domestica, and described by him as a cultivated medicinal and vegetable plant, and the latter being common purslane, which is described as a plant growing in the wild in ploughed fields, vineyards, and meadows.
The leaves of purslane, rich in vitamins and minerals, may be used to make raw salads. In China, its extracts are used to treat diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, and fever, while in Indonesia they are used to treat cardiac weakness. Its freshly pressed juices were used to cure slowly healing wounds.
Common purslane is suited for caring for any skin type, and its active ingredients ensure the wound healing, regenerating, hydrating effects of cosmetics containing this plant.
- Protein: 1,7 g/100g
- Fatty oil: 0,4 g/100g
- Carbohydrates: 3,8 g/100g
- Vitamin C: 30-34 mg/100g
- Carotene: 0,03-0,05 mg/100g
- Vitamin B1: 0,01 mg/100g
- Vitamin B2: 0,09-0,17 mg/100g
- Niacin: 0,75 mg/100g
- Ca: 100-104mg/100g
- Fe: 0,9-1,0 mg/100g
- P: 10-18 mg/100g
- Crude fibre: 1,0-1,1 g/100g
- Oxalic acid
- Coumarins
- Mucilage