Purslane Seeds: 9 Surprising Health Benefits, How to Use Them, and Recommended Dosage

Common Name: Purslane

Scientific Name: Portulaca oleracea L.

History and Origin

Purslane is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Portulacaceae family. The name "Portulaca" is derived from the Latin word "Laca," meaning "milk," in reference to the plant's milky juice.⁽¹⁾ While the origin of purslane remains unknown, reports of its existence date back approximately 4,000 years. The succulent stems and fleshy leaves of purslane suggest that it likely originated and adapted to the desert climates of India and the Middle East. ⁽²⁾ This plant is distributed in many parts of the world, particularly in the tropical and subtropical areas. ⁽¹⁾ Europe, North America, Africa, Australia, and Asia are among the regions where it thrives. Purslane thrives in regions such as Europe, North America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. It grows abundantly in orchards, vineyards, crop fields, gardens, and along roadsides. ⁽²⁾

Purslane Plant Structure

Purslane stems are cylindrical, reaching up to 30 cm in length and 2-3 mm in diameter. They are green or red, smooth, and glabrous, except at the leaf axils, and branched. The leaves are alternate or subopposite, flat⁽²⁾, succulent ⁽³⁾, thick ⁽¹⁾, and obovate, measuring 1–5 cm in length and 0.5–2 cm in width. They have an obtuse or slightly notched apex, are glabrous, smooth, and waxy on the upper surface, with entire margins. The leaves are green or green with a red margin ⁽²⁾, shiny, and have a sour taste. ⁽³⁾ Its flowers originate at the tips of stems.

The flowers are small, with five petals that can be orange, yellow, purple, or white-pink. They typically bloom only on hot, sunny days, from mid-morning to early afternoon. The fruit consists of nearly round to egg-shaped capsules, usually 4–8 mm long, which split open around the middle to release the seeds. Purslane seeds are tiny, less than 1 mm in diameter, circular to egg-shaped, flattened ⁽²⁾, slightly glossy, and black. ⁽⁴⁾ Each capsule contains numerous purslane seeds. ⁽²⁾

Purslane Health Benefits

1. Regulating Blood Glucose Levels

In 2011, researchers conducted a study on type-2 diabetic subjects to investigate the antidiabetic activity of purslane seeds and to provide a scientific basis for their clinical use.
In this study, diabetic subjects consumed 5 (g) of powdered purslane seeds in 20 ml of skimmed yogurt twice a day (at 8.00 am and another at 8.00 pm) on an empty stomach for 8 weeks, in addition to usual care and exercise. The skimmed yogurt was added to the powder of purslane seeds to give a mixture an acceptable taste and to reduce the soluble oxalate content of the mixture. Patients who received only metformin tablets (one tablet three times daily) for 8 weeks in addition to usual care and exercise were considered a control group. In purslane seed-treated subjects, there was a significant decrease in serum levels of fasting and postprandial blood glucose, insulin, body weight, and BMI. The metformin group has the same results as the purslane group. These findings showed that purslane seeds had significant hypoglycemic and insulin resistance reduction effects, possibly due to their polyunsaturated fatty acids, flavonoids, and polysaccharide contents. According to the findings, purslane seeds can be effective and safe as adjuvant therapy for type-2 diabetic subjects. ⁽⁵⁾

2. Regulating Blood Fat Levels

In 2014, the effect of purslane seeds on improving dyslipidemia was studied in obese adolescents. In this study, obese adolescent patients were asked to take one capsule containing 500 milligrams of powdered purslane seeds twice daily for one month. Serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were measured after a 12-hour fast, both before starting and after completing the study protocol. The consumption of purslane seeds significantly lowered serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-C, and TG over the course of the month. Thus, P. oleracea L. may positively influence serum lipid profiles, likely due to its polyphenolic and antioxidant compounds. The herb also appears to be well tolerated among adolescents. ⁽⁶⁾

3. Improving Liver Function

In 2015, the effect of purslane seeds on liver enzymes was studied in patients with nonalcoholic fatty livers. In this study, the patients consumed 10 grams of purslane seeds per day before two meals of breakfast and dinner, along with a weight loss diet. Patients who only participated in a weight loss diet were considered a control group. Both groups examined liver enzymes and liver sonography at the beginning and end of the eighth week of the study. Purslane seed consumption after 8 weeks significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), yet the changes were not significant in the control group. The diet and purslane seed consumption did not affect alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. In both groups, liver steatosis decreased, but the reduction was more significant in the purslane group. This study demonstrated that consuming purslane seeds alongside a diet for 8 weeks has positive effects on liver enzymes and liver steatosis. ⁽⁷⁾

4. Promoting Weight Loss

In 2015, researchers studied the impact of purslane seeds on anthropometric parameters such as weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and BMI in patients with nonalcoholic fatty livers. In this study, the patients consumed 10 grams of purslane seeds per day before two meals of breakfast and dinner, along with a weight loss diet. Patients who only participated in a weight-loss diet were considered a control group. The researchers studied anthropometric parameters in both groups at the beginning and end of the eighth week of the study. Both groups showed significant reductions in weight, waist, and hip circumference after 8 weeks. Body mass index (BMI) was significantly reduced only in the purslane group. This study showed that consumption of purslane seeds besides the diet for 8 weeks has beneficial effects on anthropometric parameters. ⁽⁷⁾

5. Treating Anemia

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most severe and the latest stage of iron deficiency. Purslane seed consumption is a traditional medicine approach to treating anemia. In 2017, researchers studied the effect of purslane seeds on the hemoglobin (Hb) level in adolescent girls (15–18 years) suffering from IDA. The subjects received 0.3 g/kg of purslane seeds per day for 4 weeks. The results showed significant increases in hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit ⁽⁸⁾ (Hct; the percentage of red blood cells in the total blood volume ⁽⁹⁾), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). The findings suggest that purslane seeds could potentially prevent IDA and treat its mild form. ⁽⁸⁾

6. Improving Cardiovascular System Function

In 2016, researchers conducted a study to investigate the effects of purslane seed consumption (2.5 g with lunch and 5 g with dinner daily) combined with aerobic training on atherosclerosis in women with type 2 diabetes over a 16-week period. The results indicated that this combination significantly improved cardiovascular complications associated with type 2 diabetes. This effect may be attributed to the synergistic benefits of aerobic exercise and the unsaturated fatty acids present in purslane seeds. ⁽¹⁰⁾

7. Anti-Pain

In 2019, researchers investigated the effect of purslane seeds on the prevention of afterpain. Afterpain is one of the most common postpartum issues. The results showed that after taking purslane seeds, the intensity of afterpain and the number of consumed analgesics significantly decreased. ⁽¹¹⁾ Also, results of a study show that Portulaca oleraceae seed extract possesses a persistently higher analgesic effect in high doses and significant anti-inflammatory activity than its leaf extract. ⁽¹²⁾

8. Improving Urinary Tract Function

A 2016 study examined the effectiveness of a pumpkin/purslane seed mixture on kidney function in rats fed high cholesterol diets for 6 weeks. This study assessed the kidney functioning capacity by measuring the levels of electrolytes (sodium, potassium), creatinine, urea, and phosphorous in the serum of the animals. Seed mixtures of pumpkin and purslane rich in ω-3 and ω-6 were prepared in a ratio of 5/1, respectively, as recommended by the WHO. The results revealed that feeding rats with a cholesterol-enriched diet caused a significant increase in serum urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium. By contrast, administration of the purslane/pumpkin seed mixture showed a significant decrease in the levels of serum urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium. There was no significant difference in serum phosphorous levels. ⁽¹³⁾

9. Improving Nervous System Function

Hyperlipidemia is a highly prevalent risk factor for brain injury. According to the results of a 2015 study conducted on hypercholesterolemic rats, a high cholesterol diet can cause structural alteration in the frontal cortex and cerebellum and purslane seeds ameliorate most of these changes.

According to researchers, purslane seed might serve as an adjuvant therapy to avoid progression of brain damage due to omega-3 fatty acids and relatively high fiber content of the seed and its antioxidant property.⁽¹⁴⁾

What Are Purslane Side Effects?

Clinical use: No negative effects have been documented in the majority of clinical investigations. Generally, Portulaca oleracea is well tolerated in the majority of patients. However, three patients reported skin rash, thyroiditis ⁽¹⁾ (inflammation of the thyroid gland that can lead to over- and under-production of thyroid hormones that control metabolism ⁽¹⁵⁾), and facial nerve palsy. Another clinical trial reported constipation as the only side effect associated with Portulaca oleracea consumption. ⁽¹⁾

Oxalate warning: Due to the herb's 1.7% oxalic acid content, individuals with digestive disorders, kidney stone proneness ⁽¹⁶⁾, or high uric acid levels should avoid consuming large amounts of it. ⁽¹⁷⁾

Pregnancy: Pregnant women should not use the herb in therapeutic doses, as it may have a contracting effect on the uterus.⁽¹⁶⁾

Lactation: There is a lack of information regarding lactation safety and efficacy. ⁽¹⁸⁾ Stay on the safe side and avoid using amounts larger than those normally found in foods.
Anti-fertility effect: Flavonoids from this plant may have an anti-fertility effect, according to a study. Stay on the safe side and avoid using purslane seeds if you are planning a pregnancy. ⁽¹⁾

Generally, every person may be allergic to certain herbs and spices. This sensitivity must be first diagnosed by the person and secondarily by the physician. However, these allergic reactions do not cause chronic or acute side effects, and after identifying the allergenic plant and removing it from the diet, allergy-related complications will be eliminated. No company or product can be aware of the allergic reactions of different bodies in advance. The body's incompatibility with one or more specific herbs rarely occurs, but consumers may encounter it anyway.

Nutritional Information

• Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) has the following nutritional value per 100 g: Energy (16 kcal); carbohydrates (3.4 g); protein (1.30 g); total fat (0.1 g); vitamins including folates (12 μg), niacin (0.480 mg), pantothenic acid (0.036 mg), pyridoxine (0.073 mg), riboflavin (0.112 mg), thiamin (0.047 mg), vitamin A (1320 IU), vitamin C (21 mg); electrolytes including sodium (45 mg) and potassium (494 mg); minerals including calcium (65 mg), copper (0.113 mg), iron (1.99 mg), magnesium (68 mg), manganese (0.303 mg), phosphorus (44 mg), selenium (0.9 μg), zinc (0.17 mg). ⁽²⁾

• The primary components of dried purslane seeds are fat, carbohydrates, and protein. ⁽¹⁹⁾

Purslane Daily Dosage

In your diet, you typically consume 3 to 5 grams of purslane seeds per day.
The clinical studies provide the following dosage guidelines:

For obesity and fatty liver: Consume 10 grams of purslane seeds per day, 5 grams before the two meals of breakfast and dinner, for 8 weeks. ⁽⁷⁾

For anemia: Consume 0.3 g/kg of purslane seeds daily for 4 weeks.⁽⁸⁾

For type 2 diabetes: Consume 5 g of powdered purslane seeds twice daily for 8 weeks.

For hyperlipidemia: Consume 500 mg of purslane seeds twice daily for 1 month. ⁽¹⁸⁾

For abnormal uterine bleeding: Consume 5 g of purslane seed powder mixed in a glass of water every 4 hours orally, starting 48 hours after the onset of menstruation, for a duration of 3 days. ⁽²⁰⁾

Bioactive Compounds

Numerous constituents of Portulaca oleracea have been isolated, including:

Flavonoids;

Alkaloids;

Terpenoids;

Polysaccharides;

Vitamins: including vitamin A, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), α-tocopherol (a type of vitamin E), and B-complex vitamins, for example, niacin (B₃), pyridoxine (B6), and riboflavin (B₂);

Sterols;

Proteins and amino acids: for example, isoleucine, leucine, proline, phenylalanine, lysine, cystine, methionine, tyrosine, valine, and threonine; ⁽²¹⁾

• The essential amino acid content in purslane seeds is higher than the FAO/WHO recommended content for adults.

• The essential amino acid content in purslane seeds is comparable to the FAO/WHO recommended content for preschool children.

• Glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and arginine are the primary non-essential amino acids found in purslane seeds. Notably, arginine is considered essential for children.

• The ratios of total essential amino acids (TEAA) to total amino acids (TAA) in purslane seed protein are above the level stated for ideal protein-containing food for infants, children, and adults. ⁽¹⁹⁾

Minerals: like phosphorus, manganese, iron, calcium, and selenium; and

Fatty acids: ⁽²¹⁾Portulaca oleracea is a major plant source of omega-3 fatty acids, especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ⁽¹⁾

Best Time to Consume

You can incorporate purslane seeds into your daily diet.

Possible Drug Interactions

There is not well documented information about the drug interactions of Purslane. ⁽¹⁸⁾
However, there is a possibility that purslane seeds may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any medication, it’s advisable to consult your doctor to determine whether consuming purslane seeds could interfere with your treatment.

Traditional Use

The most frequent traditional uses of purslane in various countries seem to be the treatment of headaches, inflammations, teeth problems, stomach illnesses, respiratory diseases, worms, fever, scurvy (a disease resulting from a lack of vitamin C), epistaxis (nosebleeds), wounds, and ulcers.

Purslane leaves and seeds are widely used in cooking and confectionery in Persia. Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) also uses it as a medicinal plant.

Purslane seeds serve as an antitussive, febrifuge, thirst remedy, digestive aid, depurative, treatment for hemorrhoids, and diuretic in Mashhad, Iran. Iran's Ilam Province uses all parts of the plant as an anti-parasite. People in Kohghiluyeh va Boyer Ahmad province of Iran consume the aerial parts of purslane, which include stems, leaves, petioles, flowers, fruits, and seeds, as a stomach tonic.

Additionally, "seed's milk," made by macerating powdered seeds in hot water and then filtering the mixture, is another popular preparation of this plant (Aqili Khorasani, 1992). The ‘seed's milk’ is used as a brain and heart refrigerant, and is also employed to treat encephalitis, thirst, headaches, meningitis, conjunctivitis, mouth ulcers, epistaxis, tonsillitis, palpitations, and pleurisy caused by excessive heart heat.

In Spain, people take purslane seeds orally to treat respiratory issues, cough, anorexia, and hot fevers.
In Nepal, people administer purslane seeds for blood purification and to treat cardiovascular complaints, circulatory diseases, and dental problems. A paste made of the fruits and seeds of PA is applied to the teeth and gums to cure toothache.
In Ayurvedic medicine, the plant and the seeds are used in diseases of the kidney, bladder, and lung.
In Afghanistan, purslane seeds are used to treat diarrhea and throat infections.
In Jordan, purslane seeds are utilized as a blood purifier and aphrodisiac. ⁽¹⁾

Some questions about purslane

Can purslane cure diabetes?

Purslane is a rich source of biologically active compounds, including omega-3 fatty acids, β-carotene, amino acids, α-tocopherols, ascorbic acid, glutathione, and flavonoids. Several studies suggest that these compounds can help improve metabolic profiles in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Research has demonstrated the hypoglycemic effects of purslane in animal models, and its positive impact on insulin resistance has been observed in rats. Additionally, a clinical trial found that consuming purslane seeds for 5 weeks may improve anthropometric measures, serum triglyceride levels, and blood pressure in people with type 2 diabetes. ⁽²²⁾

What part of Purslane is edible? / Are purslane seeds edible?

Purslane leaves, stems, flower buds, and seeds are all edible. You can enjoy it raw or cooked in a variety of dishes such as salads, juices, sandwiches, dips, pesto, stir-fries, quiches, soups, curries, stews, sauces, and more. You can also use the tiny black seeds for tea. ⁽²³⁾

Is purslane high in omega-3?

Purslane is an excellent source of alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that plays a crucial role in human growth and development, as well as in disease prevention.⁽²⁴⁾

What's the difference between purslane and portulaca?

Both are annual succulent plants with flowers that belong to the Portulacaceae family, but they are different species within the same genus. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is the common edible "weed" often found in gardens, while Portulaca is typically grown as an ornamental plant. If you're looking to grow common purslane for edible or medicinal purposes, seek seeds labeled Portulaca oleracea. This is the "weed" variety and the most widely recognized species of purslane. Ornamental purslane is often referred to as portulaca or moss rose. ⁽²⁵⁾