The superfood that helps fight headaches

In Europe it has been considered a weed for years, a weed that always grows back, even if already in ancient Greece they used it as a medicinal herb (to combat constipation and inflammation of the urinary system).

And if you don’t want to take this vegetable seriously, just find out the name the Argentines call it: purslane, more like a court nickname than anything else.

But the truth is that this exotic and nutritious vegetable, known to originate from Asia Minor, It has more Omega-3 than any other vegetable and can be eaten both raw and cooked. These fatty acids made it famous when its great effect on cholesterol control was discovered.

Its scientific name is Portulaca oleracea L. and it is so common that many, in recent years, have realized that this edible plant It is the mima that has been growing in the garden for years and that they fight like a useless parasite.

His fame is recent, although many nutritionists are already hypothesizing that he will become great excellent food for its properties and how cheap it is to get it.

Indeed, the website of the Buenos Aires market, from the government of the city of Buenos Aires, reports that purslane “is not easy to obtain in commercial networks and it must be ensured that it comes from crops free from toxins and fumigations”. And they immediately advise: “a good alternative is to buy the seeds and plant them in our vegetable garden or vegetable garden, because it will grow easily and without problems.”

A plant of great nutritional value

Already in 2014, a note from the Clarin newspaper Titled “A Bad Weed That Helps You Heal,” it pointed out that purslane is a weed of soybeans and corn, although it is suitable for consumption due to its nutritional qualities.

And he gave an excellent testimony: “Purslane is a very precious plant because it has the highest concentration of omega 3 among all leafy vegetables. At the same time, it has a large amount of nutrients like vitamins A, B1, B2, C and mineralsespecially potassium,” said agricultural engineer Martín Arribalzaga, author of an excellent research by FAUBA, Faculty of Agriculture.

The note reflected what would happen next: this species could also be used medicinally to treat various conditions (headaches, stomach pain, mastitis, lack of milk in nursing mothers and postpartum hemorrhage), burns, stings of insects, inflammation or sores on the skin. , said researcher Martín Arribalzaga.

Every day with better fame

Plant with healing and nutritional properties, United States National Library of Medicine Today it indicates it as the “ideal ingredient in a healthy and balanced diet”.

And he also points out that, according to research published in BioMed International Researchit can be stated that Portulaca oleracea L (purslane) is the source of the following 9 nutrients:

• Flavonoids.
• Alkaloids.
• Polysaccharides.
• Fatty acids.
• Terpenoids.
• Sterols.
• Proteins.
• Vitamins.
• Minerals.

Furthermore, according to this same publication, purslane also has pharmacological properties as well as activity neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiulceogenic.

Helps with severe headaches

The ABC newspaper of Sevillein its specialized Health section, it also tells us that purslane helps heachache. “Applied with polenta as an external poultice, or mixed with oil, it can be applied externally to improve headaches. “This method also relieves inflammation in general, wounds, mastitis or bites.”

The Spanish media also highlights that “purslane is one of the richest vegetables in omega-3, as a cup of the fresh plant can contain up to 400 mg. of this essential fatty acid, also alpha-linolenic acid and gamma-linolenic acid. But it also contains a wide variety of nutrients and medicinal principles such as vitamins, beta-carotene, minerals, amino acids or antioxidants.”

Other benefits of regularly consuming purslane

The BodyMind website shows us some benefits of the leaves, stems and shoots of purslane, where active ingredients such as mucilage, oxalic acid, citric acidfatty acids (especially α-linolenic and linoleic), flavonoids, trace elements, vitamins and mineral salts.

1. Promotes eye health. Purslane is one of the edible plant species with the highest levels of vitamin A, a natural antioxidant that helps protect vision.
2. Helps you regain your strength. The mineral salts and vitamins present in the fresh leaves and stems of this vegetable make it a superfood with notable restorative properties.
3. Accelerates skin regeneration and reduces inflammation. The beneficial properties of purslane for the skin have been known since ancient times.
4. Prevents digestive problems. The main responsible for this property of P. oleracea are the mucilages, which promote the digestive process and prevent problems such as constipation.
5. Promotes circulatory system health. This common edible wild herb possesses characteristics that are not so common in the plant kingdom. The strong point of purslane is the presence of omega-3 fatty acids and the high content of antioxidants. The combination of these substances also promotes blood health and is considered a potentially effective ingredient in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.
6. Keeps bones healthy. This plant is also a rich source of mineral salts and trace elements. It highlights the presence of calcium, magnesium and iron, important elements for maintaining bone health and preventing problems related to aging.
7. Promotes kidney health. The high intake of water together with mineral salts gives it a diuretic action. Consequently, Portulaca oleracea promotes diuresis and contributes to the elimination of toxins and the proper functioning of the kidneys.