Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany
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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)
and other botanical details.
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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.
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 - https://florapal.org/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.