I was so happy to find more purslane growing in my garden! This is a key ingredient for making one of my favorite soups!
Right now is a great time to look for this growing like a “weed” in your garden. I cut it or pinch it from the plant while ensuring to leave some behind so it will keep growing. From my experience you will want to keep harvesting because at some point it will dry up and disappear fairly quickly! Then I wash it and cut it into pieces (keeping both leaf and tender stem), and then toss it in the freezer for later use in my soup and stews). Here is a link to my soup recipe too!
Chicken Tomatillo Soup With Purslane
Here are some details I found about why it is so good for us!!
What is Purslane? (Also called Verdolagas)
Purslane is an herbaceous plant from purslane family. The body is flat on soil, leaves are oval, smooth and fleshy. Stems are yellow and reddish.
They usually have yellow flowers. Purslane growing in summer months can easily be encountered in fields and gardens and mountain in slope.
Usually grow in thin and bare areas between cultivated areas. Maximum benefit is obtained from wild and freshness.
Small green leaves and straw stems are eaten. Consuming as raw, allows us to benefit more from nutritional value. There are many uses from salad to food in the dinner.
Vitamins, Nutritional Value and Calorie Value of Purslane
• Purslane omega-3 is rich in single green leaf vegetables. Vegetarians and those who do not consume fish can provide their omega-3 needs.
• Contains zinc, iron, potassium, manganese, copper, magnesium, calcium minerals
• It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C. B-rich in complex vitamins
• Contains powerful antioxidant compounds.
• Calories are one of the lowest vegetables (only 16 kcal/100g).
• Contains high fiber.
What are Benefits of Purslane?
1. Protects Cardiovascular Health
Plenty of omega-3 fatty acids in content of purslane helps to reduce amount of bad cholesterol in body and can prevent risk of heart attack. In content of potassium blood pressure, ie, blood vessels can reduce tension on heart.
2. Accelerates Blood Circulation
Iron and copper minerals in contents of purslane help in production of red blood cells.
Both of these minerals are needed to accelerate circulation by giving more oxygen to important parts of body and increasing healing rate of cells and organs. Also, iron and copper helps to grow hair.
3. Helps in Treatment of Some Digestive System Diseases
It can prevent constipation by relaxing digestive system. It is especially recommended for people with stomach upset because of is good for ulcers.
It is also useful against hemorrhoids. Vitamin A helps protect healthy mucous membranes. It is especially used to treat many intestinal problems in Chinese medicine.
4. Prevents Cancer
High amounts of vitamin A and C found in purslane can act as antioxidant and help prevent lung and oral cancer in particular.
In addition, specific color of betalin pigment group of vegetables, free radicals in healthy cells to cause mutations and thus prevent development of cancer.
5. Strengthens Bones
It is a healthy option for those who want to prevent bone loss. It contains calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese, all of the minerals needed to improve bone tissue and speed up healing process of bones in our bodies. This rich mineral variety protects bones against osteoporosis.
Living Healthful 