Portulaca oleracea

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Portulaca oleracea L.

Portulacaceae

  • Common Purslane
  • Garden Purslane
  • Green Purslane
  • Little Hogweed
  • Pigface
  • Pigweed
  • Purslane
  • Pusley
  • baqleh بقلة
  • farfahina فرفحينا
  • hummad حماض
  • irjeleh أرجيلة
  • rijla رجلة
  • rijliyeh رجلية
  • ragelet ha-gina
  • regelat ha-gina
  • רְגֵלַת הַגִּנָּה

Annual

  • Cultivated areas (weeds)
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Portulaca oleracea L.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/ Administration
Parts Used
Source
Cardiovascular

Chest & heart pain

Analgesic, Cardiac

Prepare infusion of seeds & drink.

Seed Z
Cardiovascular

High blood pressure

Hypotensive

Prepare infusion from 10 gm dried aerial parts to 1 cup boiling water & drink a small dose daily. If using over long period, stop for 8 days then restart to avoid toxicity.

Aerial parts B
Dermatological

Eczema

Anti-inflammatory

Grind aerial parts & apply to affected areas.

Aerial parts B
Dermatological

Strengthen hair against hair loss

Hair restorer

Fry seeds + wheat grains + "barhang" (Plantago sp. seeds), grind mixture + sugar & eat.

Seed Z
Endocrine/ Metabolic

Diabetes mellitus

Hypoglycemic

Preparation/ Admin. not specified.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Diarrhea

Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal

Warm seeds in almond oil + "barhang" (Plantago sp. seeds) & drink.

Seed Z
Gastrointestinal

Gastric ulcer & hematemesis (bleeding ulcer)

Anti-ulcer

Eat plant. (Preparation not specified.)

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Liver congestion

Hepatic

Preparation/ Admin. not specified.

Aerial parts Z
Gastrointestinal

Supress heart burn; good for stomach

Antacid

Eat plant. (Preparation not specified.)

Aerial parts Z
Haematology

Iron deficiency anaemia

Anti-anaemic

Eat fresh aerial parts with meal.

Aerial parts B
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Diuretic

Diuretic

Eat plant (Preparation not specified.)

Aerial parts Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Kidney inflammation

Anti-inflammatory

Preparation/ Admin. not specified.

Aerial parts Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract

Urinary obstruction

Deobstruent

Cook plant in water + chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) & drink.

Aerial parts Z
Oral Health

Toothache

Analgesic

Decoct 5-6 leaves in 1 cup of water & soak for 20 min; use as a mouth rinse for 15 min/day until healed.

Leaf B
Venoms, Bites & Stings

Bee stings

Ant-venom

Grind aerial parts & apply to sting.

Aerial parts B

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

Z notes that Portulaca oleracea is edible & used in salads. (See Cautions)

Cautions

Portulaca oleracea contains high levels of oxalic acid & should be used with caution in patients with kidney & gall stones. It interferes with the absorption of calcium. Portulaca oleracea also accumulates nitrates at toxic levels & may cause poisoning in sheep & goats. In humans it may be toxic over time although there is currently a lack of confirmatory studies on this.