Purslane, Mountain Mama and Chinese Doctor

[Guest guest]

My young scientist, city dwelling daughter

moved into a new apartment recently where

she can finally grow some plants on her balcony.

 

We usually bring some good home grown

stuff when we go visit.

This time I had brought a planter with some

herbs and a purslane plant.

 

Purslane pops up as a welcome volunteer

in hot summers. I knew it to be edible, tasty,

and a good source of essential fatty acids.

And I liked the idea of some wild energy

on that tame balcony.

 

To my amazement the plant was greeted

not with quizzical stares, but with enthousiastic

recognition.

 

My DD has recently made friends with a

couple of women of Chinese origin, one of

whom teaches acupuncture.

On an outing last week the TCM had gathered

and prepared a dish of purslane, and

spoken glowingly of all the medicinal uses!

 

Apparently it is very good for the kidney.

It is also sold in Korean specialty stores,

for a lot of money.

 

Does anyone here know about the various uses of purslane?

 

We got such a kick out of this episode.

DD can't wait to show her new friend her plant, and I look forward to meeting the doctor sometime.

 

Compared to the wonderful rainbow variety

of people in Burnaby, Nakusp is way too

monochrome!

 

Ien in the Kootenays***********************************"What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"~Thoreau Saving the Rainforest, a cup of tea at the timehttp://wildhealing.net***********************************