Purslane (Portulaca)
vegetable
Purslane is a common name for several mostly unrelated plants with edible leaves and may refer to:Portulacaceae, a family of succulent flowering plants, and especially: Portulaca oleracea, a species of Portulaca eaten as a leaf vegetable, known as summer purslane Portulaca grandiflora, moss rose, or moss-rose purslane Claytonia perfoliata, miner's lettuce or winter purslane Claytonia sibirica, pink purslane Halimione portulacoides, sea purslane Ludwigia palustris, Hampshire purslane Lythrum portula, water purslane Sesuvium portulacastrum, shoreline purslane Honckenya peploides, also called sea purslane Portulacaria afra, purslane tree
Conditions addressed
How to use
- Eat steamed, roasted, stir-fried, or raw in salads.
- Lightly cooking increases digestibility.
Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Purslane (Portulaca) in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Purslane (Portulaca) itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Use CautionThis herb may affect blood pressure. Since blood pressure changes are a significant pregnancy risk factor (e.g. preeclampsia), herbs in this category are generally used only under medical supervision rather than self-directed — this is a general, mechanism-based caution, not herb-specific research.
Breastfeeding
Use CautionGenerally used cautiously during breastfeeding, particularly if the nursing parent is also on blood pressure medication.
Children
Use CautionBlood-pressure-active herbs are generally used cautiously in children and typically only under pediatric guidance.
Interactions & contraindications
May affect blood pressure
Watch for: Antihypertensive medications (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics)
Combined use can push blood pressure too high or too low — monitor readings if you take blood pressure medication.
May thin the blood
Watch for: Anticoagulants (warfarin), antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), and other blood-thinning herbs or supplements (ginkgo, garlic, fish oil, vitamin E)
Combining blood-thinning substances can increase bleeding risk, including before surgery or dental work.
May affect blood sugar
Watch for: Insulin and oral diabetes medications (metformin, sulfonylureas)
Additive blood-sugar-lowering effects can risk hypoglycemia — monitor glucose closely.