Nutrition-wise–purslane is plump, fleshy, succulent, wild and sexy. Unlike Marijuana–this wonder plant is free and legal throughout the world where it can be garnered for its high nutrition. Mexicans call purslane Verdolagao or Malawi meaning "buttocks of a chief's wife."
Dear Ones,
One of the best plant sources for long life comes from a so-called weed known well for its many benefits in Europe and elsewhere. With red stems its branches cling to the ground and spread out into a spiral of tiny round leaves often bearing yellow blossoms called portulaca with an array of colorful flowers. This vegetable is also called pig weed.
Purslane is a native of India, Persia (Iran) and the Middle East. For decades in the United States people considered it a weed and killed it with toxic chemical nerve gas pesticides, as with dandelions that are nutritious in all their parts. US super markets now carry purslane for good reason. It is plentiful for eating and can be planted in wide mouth pots and every Earth garden.
Hippocrates, father of medicine, recommended this plant as a health food. Ancient Greeks proclaimed no kitchen or medicine cabinet should ever do without this magical plant. Henry David Thoreau, who ate a simple diet for strength and good health, included purslane in his writing about the old gardens of Concord, Massachusetts.
This so-called "fatty weed" is an excellent source of omega 3 and the benefit of flax seeds. It contains vitamin D, E and some B vitamins as well as A, beta carrtene found in carrots. It contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, riboflavin, water-soluable folate; lithium and niacin. It produces melatonin for relaxing and sleeping like a happy baby. It even has more vitamin E than spinach. Popeye was wise in eating can fulls of it, all though canned food contains salt with too much causing heart problems.
Purslane is an anti-depressant as well as an antioxidant. But most of all it has safeguard quality against cancer. The plant produces a generous amount of protein and does not cause cells to mutate. It fuels only15 calories per 1000 grams (three ounces). Such a "weed" lowers blood pressure, a great benefit and is a slight diuretic.
This panacea wonder plant with a slight salty taste can be used in soups, salads, sauted, pickled and steamed. In scrambled eggs it can add flavor as do capers. Added to food it a refreshing garnish.
Puslane grows in all types of soils with each plant seed providing nearly a quarter of a million seeds that are used for making health drinks.
Years ago I was on a panel where I met Euell Gibbon, the featured speaker, at Landis Valley Farm Museum in eastern Pennsylvania. Stalking the Wild Asparagus was one of his books, with another that discusses the value of purslane as a dietary supplement. I also included this plant in a dialogue in my drama-novel and movie script, Where Eagles Fly, a mystery and love story that involves homeless war veterans in Jacksonville, Florida. The protagonist is an entrepreneur that creates a unique housing plan centered around a lovely park in which all the characters cultivate and sell their own produce and flowers. The idea takes off and Terraconcord Gardens are started all over the United States.
Mame
helenesmith1.blog spot.com
Naturalist
