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

8. Superior Nutrition Compared to Other Greens

It might be hard to believe, but purslane is “more nutritious than kale” in several categories. When you compare them side by side, purslane has seven times more Omega-3s than kale does. It also contains higher levels of melatonin, which is very helpful for a good night’s rest. While it has similar amounts of Vitamin C, it is actually lower in oxalates than spinach or kale, which is “better for kidney health” for many people. On top of all that, it is very light, with only about 16 calories in a full cup.

A Few Safety Tips

While this plant is wonderful, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. Because it does contain some oxalates, people who struggle with kidney stones should eat it in small amounts. You can also cook the plant to reduce the oxalate levels by about 3/10. Most importantly, make sure you only pick purslane from areas that are clean. “Never harvest from roadsides or sprayed areas” where there might be chemicals or pollution.

Final Thoughts

It is time to change how we look at our gardens. “Purslane isn’t a weed,” but rather a natural gift that is strong, healthy, and easy to find. The next time you see it growing near your door, remember that “the best food doesn’t always come from the market—it comes from the margins.” Instead of throwing it away, try tasting it and seeing for yourself how much abundance is growing right at your feet.

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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.