8 Reasons to Leave Purslane Growing — The “Weed” That’s Actually a Superfood!

One of the best things about purslane is that it is “completely edible—and delicious!” You don’t have to worry about complicated preparation because every part of the plant can be eaten, including the stems, the leaves, the tiny flowers, and the seeds. It has a mild and slightly tangy flavor that people often describe as having a “lemony-cucumber crunch.” The texture is very crisp and juicy, making it feel like a “cross between spinach and green apple.”

There are many ways to enjoy it:

  • You can toss the raw leaves directly into your favorite salads.
  • You can lightly cook it in a pan with some garlic and olive oil.
  • It works great when added to morning smoothies, egg omelets, or warm soups.
  • You can even pickle the crunchy stems to use as a tangy topping later.

6. Good for the Environment

Purslane is “drought-tolerant and eco-friendly,” which makes it a perfect plant for the modern world. It can grow in very poor soil and loves soaking up the full sun with very little water. Because it is so hardy, it “requires no fertilizer or pesticides” to thrive. Having it in your garden can also help stop soil from washing away during rain. Additionally, its small flowers are great for nature because they “attract pollinators like bees and butterflies.” It is truly a sustainable crop that requires almost zero effort to maintain.

7. Used in Traditional Wellness for Ages

People have known about the power of this plant for a long time. In “traditional medicine uses,” purslane has been relied upon for hundreds of years to help with various issues. It has been used to calm upset stomachs, help small cuts or wounds heal when put directly on the skin, and even to help lower fevers. “Modern science is now validating many of these traditional uses,” showing that the ancient wisdom regarding this plant was very accurate.

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My 9-year-old daughter baked 300 Easter cookies for the homeless — the next morning, a stranger showed up at our door with a briefcase full of cash. My daughter, Ashley, has always had a heart too big for her chest. Since my wife died, we’ve barely been making ends meet. We spent everything we had trying to save her from cancer. But when Easter came this year, Ashley told me she’d been saving up her own money to buy ingredients. “For the homeless,” she said. Her mom used to be one of them. She was thrown out by her parents when they found out she was pregnant with Ashley. When I met her, she had nothing — but she had the brightest smile and the sharpest mind I had ever seen. I fell in love with her. I took her and Ashley in. And from that moment on, Ashley became my daughter in every way that matters. So when Ashley said she wanted to help people like her mom once was… I didn’t stop her. For three nights straight, after school and homework, she baked. Her little hands worked nonstop. She found her mom’s old cookie recipe. She rolled every piece of dough herself. She decorated every cookie. She made three hundred cookies. On Easter, she handed them out one by one. She looked people in the eyes. She wished them a Happy Easter. Some of them smiled. Some of them cried. I stood there thinking it was the proudest moment of my life. I thought that was the end of it. The next morning, I was washing a mountain of dishes when the doorbell rang. I opened the door. An older man stood there in a worn-out suit, holding a scratched aluminum briefcase. His eyes were locked on Ashley. Before I could ask anything, he set the case down and opened it. I froze. Stacks of hundred-dollar bills — more money than I had ever seen in my life. “I saw what your daughter did yesterday,” he said, his voice shaking. “I want to give all of this to her.” My heart skipped. Then he added: “But you have to agree to ONE CONDITION.” My chest tightened. “What condition?” I asked. He stepped closer. He lowered his voice. And what he asked for in return made my blood run cold.

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