Bitterroot Restoration

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Portulacaceae
Common Name: Nuneshak (Beng.); Sanhti, Punarva, Kulfa (India); Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed, Pusley (U.S.); Garden purslane (Eng.)
Parts: Leaf, Seed, Plant

Portulaca oleracea Linn. is an herbaceous weed. The orgin of purslane is uncertain. It can be found growing wild and cultivated in much of the world. It can be found growing in almost any unshaded area, including flower beds, corn fields, and waste places. Purslane can be found growing in cold climate areas (e.g., Canada) as well as warm areas (e.g., the Caribbean). It has been used in salads and as a medicinal plant (for people) for hundreds of years.

Portulaca oleracea contains many biologically active compounds and is a source of many nutrients. It has high contents of Omega-3 fatty acids and protein (compared to other vegetables). The quantity of these compounds in Portulaca oleracea varies with the growing conditions (e.g., planting date, soil quality, fertilization) and the age of the plant. Some of the biologically active (and, in some case, potentially toxic compounds) include:

• Free oxalic acids
• Alkaloids
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Coumarins
• Flavonoids
• Cardiac glycosides
• Anthraquinone glycosides

Medicinal uses:

• In Greek popular medicine, purslane is used as a remedy for constipation and inflammation of the urinary system.
• In the Dominican Republic, all parts of Portulaca oleracea are used in treatments for internal parasites. The plant always is mixed with other plants (e.g., Chenopodium ambrosioides).
  
• In North India it is known to act as a liver tonic and is used in diseases of the liver[citation needed].
• In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is used to treat infections or bleeding of the genito-urinary tract as well as dysentery. The fresh herb may also be applied topically to relieve sores and insect or snake bites on the skin.