Portulaca oleracea medicinal properties

[Guest guest]

http://ww1.clunet.edu/wf/chap/flowers/fwr-1438.htm

Above, is the correct picture for the Portulaca oleracea we have in Florida.

Below is 17 pages of information on our Florida Portulaca oleracea (wild purslane with small yellow flowers) You will be amazed at what all its used for. I actually printed it all off and am still shocked!! Elaine

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) - the global panaceaAnthony C. Dweck FLS FRSC FRSHConsultant, Dweck DataINTRODUCTIONOnce in a while one comes across a plant that is so outstanding, that onewonders how on earth it has been overlooked. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)is one such plant. It is fascinating that a plant so prevalent around theworld has achieved almost identical recognition in each culture for itsbenefits. The use of this plant as a vegetable, spice and medicinal planthas been known since the times of the ancient Egyptians and was popular inEngland during the Middle Ages [Lanska, 1992], why it has fallen intoobscurity is quite strange.New? I think not, read what Culpeper had to say in 1653.Garden Purslain (being used as a sallad herb) is so well known that it needsno description; I shall therefore only speak of its virtues as follows.Government and virtues : 'Tis an herb of the Moon. It is good to cool anyheat in the liver, blood, reins, and stomach, and in hot agues nothingbetter. It stays hot and choleric fluxes of the belly, women's courses, thewhites, and gonorrhæa, or running of the reins, the distillation from thehead, and pains therein proceeding from heat, want of sleep, or the frenzy.The seed is more effectual than the herb, and is of singular good use tocool the heat and sharpness of urine, venereous dreams, and the like;insomuch that the over frequent use hereof extinguishes the heat and virtueof natural procreation. The seed bruised and boiled in wine, and given tochildren, expels the worms. The juice of the herb is held as effectual toall the purposes aforesaid; as also to stay vomitings, and taken with somesugar or honey, helps an old and dry cough, shortness of breath, and thephthisick, and stays immoderate thirst. The distilled water of the herb isused by many (as the more pleasing) with a little sugar to work the sameeffects. The juice also is singularly good in the inflammations and ulcersin the secret parts of man or woman, as also the bowels and hæmorrhoids,when they are ulcerous, or excoriations in them. The herb bruised andapplied to the forehead and temples, allays excessive heat therein, thathinders rest and sleep; and applied to the eyes, takes away the redness andinflammation in them, and those other parts where pushes, wheals, pimples,St. Anthony's fire and the like, break forth; if a little vinegar be put toit, and laid to the neck, with as much of galls and linseed together, ittakes away the pains therein, and the crick in the neck. The juice is usedwith oil of roses for the same causes, or for blasting by lightening, andburnings by gunpowder, or for women's sore breasts, and to allay the heat inall other sores or hurts; applied also to the navels of children that stickforth, it helps them; it is also good for sore mouths and gums that areswollen, and to fasten loose teeth. Camerarius saith, the distilled waterused by some, took away the pain of their teeth, when all other remediesfailed, and the thickened juice made into pills with the powder of gumTragicanth and Arabic, being taken, prevails much to help those that makebloody water. Applied to the gout it eases pains thereof, and helps thehardness of the sinews, if it come not of the cramp, or a cold cause.[Culpeper, 1995]PHARMACOPOEIASThe plant has been reported official in the French, Mexican, Spanish andVenezuelan Pharmacopoeias [Quisumbing, 1978].THE COMMON NAMESThe name Portulaca is thought to be derived from the Latin 'porto' to carryand 'lac' meaning milk, since the plant contains a milky juice. [boulos andel Hadidi, 1984COMPOSITIONPurslane contains large amounts of l-norepinephrine (l-noradrenaline; 0.25%in fresh herb), a neurohormone that has vasopressor and antihypotensiveactivities and reduces haemorrhage at the tissue level.It also contains numerous common nutrients (varying from low to highconcentrations depending on report), including: vitamins (A, B1­, B2, C,niacinamide, nicotinic acid, a-tocopherol, b-carotene, etc.); minerals(especially potassium); fatty acids, especially omega-3 acids whoseconcentration in purslane is the highest found in leafy vegetables;glutathione; glutamic acid; and aspartic acid. Other constituents include amucilage composed of an acidic and a neutral fraction with structuredetermined, calcium oxalate, malic and citric acids, dopamine and dopa,coumarins, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and urea among others used[Leung & Foster, 1996].The plant contains urea, vitamin C, ash 1.6%, and fat 4% [Quisumbing,1978]..It is rich in ascorbic acid and assays in the USA have shown 420-700 mg per100 g. It has been suspected of poisoning stock and up to 9% oxalic acid ondry weight has been analysed, but toxicity has been discounted. The plant isrich in calcium and iron [burkill, 1997]. Certain leaf extracts have beenfound to cause more vigorous contractions of the heart probably due to thepresence of levartenol, a substance known to raise the blood pressure andlower the heart rate [burkill, 1997].Recent research has shown that P. oleracea is a rich source of omega-3 fattyacids, which are thought to be important in preventing heart attacks andstrengthening the immune system [bown, 1995].Oxalates and noradrenalin have been isolated from the plant. The plant alsocontains saponins [iwu, 1993]. The plan contains tannin, phosphates, urea,and various minerals with a large amount of magnesium [Keys, 1976].A new monoterpene glucoside, portuloside A, was isolated from the MeOHextract of aerial parts of P. oleracea (collected from Japan). Its structurewas established from spectral data and chemical synthesis from linalool[sakai et al, 1996].The whole plant contains carotene, vitamins C, B1, B2, PP; Ca, Mg, Na, Ksalts; organic acids, nicotinic and oxalic; noradrenaline, and thebiflavonoid liquiritin [World Health Organisation, 1990].USESGeneralIt is eaten as a salad and vegetable all around the world and usedmedicinally for a variety of conditions that include headache, stomach ache,painful urination, enteritis, mastitis, lack of milk flow in nursing mothersand in postpartum bleeding. Externally it is used to treat burns, earache,insect stings, inflammations, skin sores, ulcers, pruritis (itching skin),eczema and abscesses. Theses conditions are usually treated with the freshherb used as a poultice or the expressed juice is used [Leung & Foster,1996].An aqueous extract of purslane was shown to have skeletal muscle relaxanteffects both in vitro and in vivo; it also relaxed guinea pig gastricfundus, taenia coli, and rabbit jejunum as well as contracted the rabbitaorta and raised blood pressure. Topical application of the aqueous extractonto the skin was effective in relieving muscle spasms [Leung & Foster,1996].Other effects include: antibacterial and antifungal; wound healing;anti-inflammatory; uterine stimulant and diuretic in rabbits. Althoughnorepinephrine may account for some pharmacologic activities, the activeprinciple for most of the biological activities and medicinal properties ofpurslane are still unidentified [Leung & Foster, 1996].AFRICAThe whole plant is considered antiphlogistic (takes the heat out) andbactericide in bacillary dysentery, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, enterorrhaghia.It has been used in prescriptions as an antidiabetic. Externally it is usedas a cataplasm of fresh leaves for maturing of abscesses. The whole plant issaid to be anaphrodisiac (opposite to aphrodisiac!), emollient, calmative,diuretic, a refreshing agent, antiscorbutic, vermifuge. The seeds are alsocalmative and will help slake a thirst [boulos, 1983].An infusion is used as anthelmintic for children to expel roundworms, and inhigh doses as an emetic. The crushed plant is applied locally on swellings,bruises, and on whitlow to ease pain and cause healing. The pressed juice isinstilled in the ears for earache, and also applied with cotton lint tocarious teeth. The leaf infusion has been reported as a cooling drink, witha mild diuretic effect, and used as a vegetable for its antiscorbuticproperties. The seeds are demulcent, diuretic, and slightly astringent. Theplant has been attributed with insecticidal properties [iwu, 1993].The extract has been shown to possess antidiabetic and muscle relaxantactivities. The muscle relaxant effects have been found to be similar to theactivity of D-600 and dantrolene when tested against rat hemidiaphragm andfrog rectus abdominus, and the mechanism of action has been suggested asprobably due to the inhibition of transmembrane Ca+ influx, interferencewith Ca-induced Ca+ release process and/or interference of the release ofintracellular Ca+ from stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Extract of theplant has also produced a dose-dependent relaxation of guinea pig fundus,taenia coli, and rabbit jejunum, as well as dose-dependent contraction ofthe rabbit aorta. On spontaneously beating rabbit right atria andelectrically paced left atria, the extract produced dose-dependent negativeinotropic and chronotropic effects, and pressor response in the rat. It hasbeen argued that the extract may act in part on postsynaptic a-adrenoceptorsand by interference with transmembrane calcium influx [iwu, 1993].Constituents: oxalic and ascorbic acid contents may be high, as well as thecontent of noradrenaline. The plant pigments are betacyanins [seaforth,1988].Congo (Brazzaville)The herb is used generally for heart trouble. A similar preparation is usedas a sedative in fits of insanity [burkill, 1997].GabonIt is used in poultices for maturating abscesses and boils. A decoction isused in lotion as an anodyne on the forehead for headache [burkill, 1997].GhanaThe leaves are ground, mixed with oil, and tied on boils to bring them to ahead [Quisumbing, 1978], sometimes in combination the leaves are also eatenwith tiger nuts (Cyperus esculentus) as a remedy for skin diseases andchancres. A decoction made by steeping or macerating the leaf in (cold)water is used for heart palpitations [burkill, 1997; Quisumbing, 1978]. Thefresh leaf is applied as a poultice to sprains and swellings [Carrington,1998].Ivory CoastThe Ebrie prepare a plaster, which disperses inflammation from an abscess,so relieving the patient from needing to have it lanced. The plant is alsomixed with grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta) and karate butter thatprovides an ointment that is applied to areas of costal pain. The Baule pulpthe plant to use as an asthma-treatment [burkill, 1997].LiberiaIt has been reported fed to a baby, which has ceased to thrive. It is usedas an anodyne to pain and as a gastric sedative [burkill, 1997].MalawiThe leaves are cooked without potashes; sometimes bonongwe (Amaranthuslividus) is mixed with them. The product is soft and well liked but does notseem to be often eaten. The leaves are eaten raw as salad by the French[Williamson, 1956].MauritaniaIt provides grazing for cattle, pigs and sheep [burkill, 1997].NigeriaThe plant is used as a diuretic. The bruised leaves are used in externalapplication for erysipelas and also for the treatment of burns. Near Beninthe plant, along with other ingredients is taken as an aid to thedevelopment of the foetus. Leaves of Nigerian material have been found tocontain a trace of alkaloid. Norepinephrine and an unnamed alkaloid havebeen reported, and glycosides, flavone, pigments and a number of othersubstances. The seeds contain a fixed oil of about 17.4% concentration andcontaining b-sitosterol [burkill, 1997]. The leaves are applied topically toswellings [Quisumbing, 1978].North AfricaThe whole plant is antiphlogistic and bactericide in bacillary dysentery,diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, enterrhagia; enters into prescriptions asantidiabetic; externally used as cataplasm of fresh leaves for maturingabscesses; whole plant anaphrodisiac, emollient, calmative, diuretic,refreshing agent, antiscorbutic, vermifuge. Seeds calmative and slake thirst[boulos, 1983].SenegalThe plant is used as a diuretic an effect that might be attributed to thecontent of potassium and iron [burkill, 1997].South AfricaThis succulent weed is a favourite vegetable in all parts of SouthernAfrica. Children eat the leaves raw [Wyk & Gericke, 2000]. It is recognizedbeneficial for the treatment of haemoptysis and pulmonary diseases [burkill,1997].TanganyikaThe slightly cooked plant is used for abscesses and carbuncles. The plant isused as an asthma-treatment. The whole plant is administered to preventmiscarriage. The roots are also used as part of a snake bite remedy[burkill, 1997].UbangiIt is used for sprains and fractures. Leaves soaked in oil are rubbed overthe body for debility and pains in the shoulders [burkill, 1997].W. AfricaA remedy for haematuria and other urinary troubles. Crushed with nativenatron and oil an application is made for swellings, bruises, whitlow, etc.Plant sap is sometimes used in ear instillations for earache and also fortoothache. It is an ingredient of a Hausa prescription for syphilis[burkill, 1997; Quisumbing, 1978].AMERICAN INDIANSPortulaca seeds were found in 1974 at salt caves in Kentucky and weredetermined by radio carbon dating to have been collected in the firstmillennium B.C. [Coffey, 1993] by prehistoric man.It is used as a potherb and vegetable and was often added to soups. [scully,1970]. Scully goes on to quote John Evelyn "Purslane . whilst tender, nextthe leaves with the young stalks being eminently moist and coling, quickensappetite, assuages thirst and is very profitable for hot and bilious tempersas well as sanguine, and generally entertained in all our sallets, mingledwith the hotter herbs.. Some eat it cold, after it has been bloiled whichDr. Muffet would have in wine for nourishment".The plant was used as a poultice for burns and they also used the juice forearache. This juice was also considered a remedy for caterpillar stings.[Foster & Duke, 1990]The American Indians used purslane for the treatment of colds and used adecoction of the herb for gout, and also taken for headache. The juice ofthe plant was used for inflammation of the male genitalia. The leaves wereinfused in linseed as a liniment for a stiff neck. The Indians used theplant for treating stomach ache, for excessive menstrual flow and mixed thejuice of the plant with honey to prepare a cough mixture. The bruised andboiled seed were used to rid worms and the decoction used for gonorrhoea[scully, 1970].AUSTRALIATiny black pigweed seeds were a staple food of outback Aborigines. When thestems turned pink the plants were harvested and piled onto hard ground, barkor kangaroo skins. After a few days, seeds fell from the plants and could begathered up, ground into a paste and cooked [Low, 1991], they were oftenmade into cakes [urban, 1990]. The aborigines eat the seeds roasted[burkill, 1997]. It should be harvested before it flowers, and leaves andyoung shoots added to any salad, where its succulent leaves will have acooling effect [Woodward, 1990]. The older shoots are used as potherb or forpickling. Explorers, pioneers and Aborigines used Munyeroo as a vegetable -raw and cooked - and relied on its effectiveness against scurvy [urban,1990]. It is also possible to pickle the leaves, add them to soups, and usethem in sandwiches [Woodward, 1990].It is found in all the colonies except Tasmania [Maiden, 1889].Botanist Joseph Maiden mused in 1989: "One would suppose that so small aseed would scarcely repay the labour of collecting", but noted that "thenatives get in splendid condition on it." The seeds are a good source ofprotein and fat.Aborigines also cooked and ate the roots, and ate the stems raw, which weresteamed, or ground into a paste. Boiled, pigweed was the most widely eatenof colonial bush vegetables, and is sometimes still collected today [Low, 1991; Urban, 1990]. For centuries it has been used medicinally, and as avegetable.P. oleracea is a common weed in Australia which can be used as a demulcent,diuretic, antiinflammatory and antibiotic. Two case studies are reportedinvolving the medicinal use of P. oleracea. In the first case, a 52-year-oldwoman with cystitis was successfully treated with P. oleracea juice. In thesecond case, a 43-year-old man requested relief from the symptoms of hisgastric ulcer and was successfully treated with P. oleracea in combinationwith 2 other medicinal plants (Glycyrrhiza glabra and Geranium maculatum)[Cowper, 1996].The seeds were reported to have vermifuge properties and have been used usedmedicinally (by Palmer in 1883 not cited). The herb possesses anti-scorbuticproperties [Maiden, 1889]. It is considered a cooling diuretic, and theseeds were once thought to be anthelmintic but are now known to be inert[Webb, 1948].CHINAIts earliest recorded use in China dates back to around 500 A.D. [bown,1995] in the Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu. Traditionally considered sour tasting andcold, with heat-relieving and detoxicant (qing re jie du). It was consideredto have blood-cooling and haemostatic properties and so used internally inbleeding bacillary dysentery [Keys, 1976], haemotochezia (bloody stool),bleeding haemorrhoids [Keys, 1976] and metrorrhagia. Externally it is usedto treat much the same conditions as above. in addition to using the freshherb, the Chinese use decoctions and powder of the dried herb for topicalapplication. In recent years, it has also been used to treat colitis, acuteappendicitis, diabetes, dermatitis and shingles [Leung & Foster, 1996].The whole plant (ma chia xian) and leaves are used. It is a sour, diuretic,cooling herb that lowers fever and clears toxins. It is therefore effectiveagainst many bacterial infections [bown, 1995].In China, the leaves are used for poulticing tumours, bad wounds and ulcers,and oedematous swellings; also for blennorhagia and leucorrhoea. The seedsin decoction are considered excellent diuretic [Quisumbing, 1978].Used as antiphlogistic (antipyretic [Reid, 1993]), diarrhoea, haemorrhoids,enterorrhagia [Keys, 1976], also described as antidote; refrigerant;antidysenteric [Reid, 1993]. It is indicated for amoebic dysentery;haemorrhoids; abscesses due to heat excess.It has been reported that in China the plant is used as an emollient[Quisumbing, 1978]. The Chinese eat this plant as a vegetable; may be usedsafely in high dosages; the fresh herb is best for all therapeutic purposes[Reid, 1993].COCHIN-CHINAThe seed is frequently used as a stomachic and a provocative of the menses,as well as an emollient and diuretic [Quisumbing, 1978].COLOMBIAIt has been reported that the plant is used as an emollient, and is appliedto tumours and callosities [Quisumbing, 1978].EGYPTThe plant is used as a vegetable. The cataplasm of fresh leaves is used formaturing abscesses. The whole plant is considered emollient, calamative,diuretic, refreshing and is also thought to be a vermifuge. [boulos and elHadidi, 1984]EUROPEMedicinally, it was highly recommended for many complaints. The expressedjuice, taken while fresh, was said to be good for strangury (painful spasmsduring urination), and taken with sugar and honey to afford relief for drycoughs, shortness of breath and immoderate thirst. It is used externally forinflamed and sore skin [Grieve, 1998]. It is also described as choleretic(stimulating the excretion of bile by the liver) and depurative (an agentthat purifies) [Chiej, 1984]The herb has been bruised and applied to the forehead and temple, to allayexcessive heat, and has also been applied to the eyes to remove inflammation[Grieve, 1998].The juice, with oil of roses, was recommended for sore mouths and swollengums. It has also been employed to fasten loose teeth [Grieve, 1998]."Camerarius saith, that the distilled water took away the pains in the teethwaen all other remedies failed" [Leyel, 1987]Parkinson in 1629 (uncited) said to use "purslane for blasting bylightening, or planerts or for burning by gunpowder or other wise".The tasty leaves and stems are stripped from the stalks and used to makenutritious brown-bread sandwiches [Loewenfeld & Back] the authors also givedetails for the preparation of a pickle from the thick stems. The use ofthis plant as a vegetable, spice and medicinal plant has been known sincethe times of the ancient Egyptians and was popular in England during theMiddle Ages [Lanska, 1992].GUADALUPEIt has been reported that the plant is used as a tonic and febrifuge[Quisumbing, 1978].INDIAThe leaf juice is used in spitting of blood. [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999;Drury, 1873], the native doctors use the plant in inflammations of thestomach [Drury, 1873].Bruised and applied to the temples it allays heat, and such pains asoccasion want of rest and sleep. It acts as a refrigerant and alterative inscurvy and liver diseases [Drury, 1873].The fresh leaves bruised are applied to the temples to allay excessive heatand pain; and are also used as a cooling external application in erysipelasand an infusion of them is given as a diuretic. Sour leaves are used as avegetable [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999]. The bruised fresh leaves areprescribed by Tamil practitioners as an external application in erysipelas;an infusion of them is also ordered as a diuretic in dysuria [Quisumbing,1978]. Herb is chiefly valued as a refrigerant and alterative pot herb,particularly useful as an article of diet in scurvy and liver diseases[Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999].Young stems and leaves are cooked like spinach, with salt and chillies, andare also used in curries [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999]. Juice of the stems maybe beneficial in cases of prickly heat and also soothing to hands and feetwhenever a burning sensation is felt.Plant and seeds are used in diseases of the kidney and bladder, asstrangury, dysuria, haematuria, gonorrhoea etc., and also for diseases ofthe lungs. The plant is also used in haematemesis, haemoptysis, etc.Externally it is used as an application to burns, scalds, and various formsof skin diseases [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999].The seeds are described as demulcent, slightly astringent and diuretic;while the leaves are described as astringent, refrigerant diuretic andemollient [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999]. They are beneficial to the intestinalmucous membrane and therefore relieve tormina, tenesmus and otherdistressing symptoms in dysentery and mucous diarrhoea, particularly whencombined with other drugs of similar nature [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999]. Theseeds are said to be used as a vermifuge, and to be useful in dyspnoea[Drury, 1873].Seeds are vermifuge [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999].INDO-CHINAA decoction of the leaves is given in dysentery [Quisumbing, 1978].JAMAICAThis plant is common to both Indies. It is given as a cooling medicine infevers [Drury, 1873; Quisumbing, 1978].KOREAStudies were designed to determine the potential cytotoxic activity ofmethanolic extract of 65 crude drugs against leukaemia L1210 and P388D1 celllines in vitro. Of these, twenty-five samples were selected, and then-Butanol extracts of these samples were screened for cytotoxicity; 9extracts were selected and the samples were screened for potentialantitumour activity in vivo using P388D1 (life span) and sarcoma 180 (tumourweight) models. On the basis of their results, Portulacae Herba [Portulaca]was found to be effective [Choi et al, 2000].The antifungal activity of P. oleracea (collected from Korea Republic)extracts against hyphal growth of various fungi was evaluated in real timeusing an automatic single-cell bioassay system. Target organisms were thefilamentous fungi Aspergillus and Trichophyton and the yeast Candida. Acrude sample obtained by ethyl acetate extract showed a specific and markedactivity against dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton [Oh et al, 2000].MALAYSIAIt is regard as a good tonic for general debility and possessesanti-scorbutic, emollient and sedative properties. [Leyel; 1987]MIDDLE EASTThe leaves are cooked as a vegetable, pickled in vinegar, and added tosauces and salads, especially in the Middle Eastern fattoush.It is used internally for dysentery, acute enteritis, appendicitis,mastitis, haemorrhoids, and post partum bleeding. Not given to pregnantwomen or to patients with digestive properties. Externally for boils, snakebites, bee stings, and eczema.NORTH AMERICAIn North America it has been considered a cooling diuretic (increases urinesecretion), and the seeds at one time were thought to be anthelmintic(destroys intestinal parasitic worms), though now known to be inert. Theplant is edible [Watt & Breyer-Brandwijk, 1932; Quisumbing, 1978].PHILIPPINESOlasíman is a very common weed found throughout the Philippines in settledareas, and is now occurring in all warm countries [Quisumbing, 1978]. It isedible in the form of a salad or as a condiment with meat or fish. Theleaves are succulent and acid. It has been said to be an excellent source ofcalcium and iron [Quisumbing, 1978].The plant has long been used as a domestic remedy as a vulnerary,antiscorbutic, refrigerant and mildly diuretic. It is also said to be usefulin catarrhal affection, of the genito-urinary tract. At the present day theherb is chiefly valued as a refrigerant and alterative pot-herb,particularly as an article of diet in scurvy and liver disease [Quisumbing,1978].PUNJABIt is reported that the seeds have always been attributed with anthelminticproperties. In the Punjab they are given as a vermifuge. It has also beenreported that they are used in the Punjab and Cashmere by the hakims ininflammations of the stomach and in internal ulcerations. The seeds have also been prescribed in dysentery and mucous diarrhoea. It has been recordedthat the seeds are considered to be tonic and constructive and areprescribed for opacities of the cornea and for the intestines [Quisumbing,1978].SRI LANKAIt is a vulnerary, antiscorbutic, refrigerant and mild diuretic. It isuseful in catarrhal and urino-genital ailments. It is an article of dietrecommended for scurvy and liver diseases. The leaves are used forpoulticing boils, ulcers and wounds and to heal burns and cure skindiseases. In the form of an infusion or decoction, they are used as agastric sedative, diuretic and in the treatment of dysentery. The seed is astomachic, emollient and diuretic [Jayaweera, 1982]. It is employed fortreating dysentery and internal ulcerations of the stomach. In Africa, theplant is used as a sodorific, antiscorbutic and for treatment ofhaemoptysis, pulmonary and skin diseases and as a snake-bite remedy. It iscooked and eaten as a vegetable [Jayaweera, 1982].SIBERIAIn Siberia the herb is used as a gastric sedative. The herb, bruised andapplied to the forehead and temple, is said to allay excessive heat andpain, and applied to the eyes, to remove inflammation. [Quisumbing, 1978].TRINIDAD AND TOBAGOCulinary herb of antiquity and used in salads and callaloo in some islands[Carrington, 1998].A tisane or decoction [seaforth, 1988] is given for heart palpitations and atisane of the plant is drunk as a vermifuge [burkill, 1997]. For worms inchildren, the fresh leaves are eaten with a little salt. Also a tea madefrom the leaves is used for the same purpose. Wong (1976, uncited) states:"Herb teas for intestinal worms, palpitation and empacho." [seaforth & Adams, 1985]. Insecticidal activity has been attributed to the plant(Morton, 1981 uncited).The crushed plant is used as a poultice on swellings and bruises and the rawplant is eaten to overcome chronic constipation. Plant extracts show musclerelaxant properties when applied topically. The plant is described aspesticidal (Grainge et al, 1985 uncited). [seaforth, 1988]The fresh leaf is applied as a poultice to sprains and swellings in theCaribbean. Application of the crushed leaves also apparently soothes pricklyheat [Carrington, 1998].VIETNAMThe whole plant is used, except for the roots, is gathered in summer andautumn and used fresh.Except for the roots, the entire plant is used as an antibacterial,anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic. It is used in treating bacillarydysentery and dysuria, in a dose of 250g of fresh plant in the form of adecoction. A combination with equal parts of euphorbia thymifolia is alsoused. The juice extracted from 100g of pounded fresh plant and diluted withwater serves as an anthelmintic against oxyuriasis and ascariasis. It isadministered in the morning for 3-5 days. Poultices of fresh leaves are usedto treat mastitis, boils and impetigo [World Health Organisation, 1990].DOSAGE LEVELDose 7-10g. [Keys, 1976]Dosage: 10-30g. [Reid, 1993].Dosage: Seeds may be administered in doses of from 30 to 60 grains and theexpressed juice from 1 to 2 fluid ounces or as an infusion of the leaves andseeds. The herb abounds in a milky juice. A paste is made of it with gokhru,kakdibij and javakharis used in gonorrhoea, scanty urine etc., dose is 2 to3 ounces [Nadkarni & Nadkarni, 1999].Dosage: It is used in treating bacillary dysentery and dysuria, in a dose of250g of fresh plant decoction. The juice extracted from 100g of poundedfresh plant and diluted with water serves as an anthelmintic. It isadministered in the morning for 3-5 days [World Health Organisation, 1990].TOXICOLOGYAccused of poisoning sheep and cattle; deaths said to be due to hoven(White, 1935) Found to contain up to 9% oxalic acid (dry weight). Prolongedingestion of the plant was stated to cause incoordination of gait andtetanic conditions in sheep. Further experiments, in which three sheep werefed plants containing 6.1 and 3.5% oxalic acid dry weight failed to produceany disorders in calcium metabolism analyses and post mortem findings weredescribed [Webb, 1948]. Oxalates and nor-adrenaline have also been isolatedfrom (P. oleracea) indicating a possible hazard in the taking of its teas(Adams et al, 1963 uncited).CONCLUSIONI leave the conclusion to another author, who sums up the benefits ofPortulaca oleracea as follows: "Due to its high content of nutrients,especially antioxidants (vitamins A and C, a-tocopherol, b-carotene,glutathione) and omega-3 fatty acids, and its wound healing andantimicrobial effects as well as its traditional use in the topicaltreatment of inflammatory conditions, purslane is a highly likely candidateas a useful cosmetic ingredient. Since most of the reported effects ofpurslane are due to its fresh juice or to its decoction, water extractiveswould be most suitable". [Leung & Foster, 1996].

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upgrade Outlook® - Add COLOR to your Emails

 

 

Outlook® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation