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Common Purslane ( Portulaca Oleracea ) , also known as pigweed , little hogweed , or Ma Chi Xian , is a low uprise succulent member of the Portulacaceae family line . It is debate an annual herbaceous plant that grow in almost all corners of the world in various soil conditions . To most , it is a pesky weed that spud up between crack in the pavement , in garden beds , unfastened orbit in paths .
So is Purslane a weed or food?
It is all a matter of perspective … A weed is weigh to be any unwished or troublesome plant life , particularly one that grows abundantly where it is not desire . While food is any nourishing substance that is eat up , drunk , or otherwise take into the body to sustain life , allow energy , and promote emergence .
Purslane is a rather abundant in my garden this class . It is growing in the newly reconstruct raised beds and in the paths . I ’ve been weed it in area where it may compete for wet and food with crops , but have allowed it to rise in street corner and in paths . The weeded plant are not tossed out . I have been plucking the succulent leaves and adding them to salads , stimulate kid , and jumble them up with my break of day bollock .
So why am I eating a weed?
Purslane is packed with nutrition : Purslane is abject in calories , high in fiber , an first-class source of the indispensable amino acids , and vitamins A , C and E. Purslane also has one the highest know concentration of Omega-3 fatty Elvis in any plant . ( source : HealthGuidanceandUSDA )
In his book , In Defense of Food : An Eater ’s ManifestoMichael Pollan praise Purslane as one of the healthiest plant life on the planet :
“ Two of the most nutritious plants in the populace are weeds — lamb ’s quarter and purslane — and some of the healthy traditional diets make frequent use of uncivilized viridity , ” ~Michael Pollan , In Defense of Food : An Eater ’s Manifesto
Purslane necessitate no effort to grow : Purslane grows freely and digest different light intensities , temperature ranges and dirt types . There is no work involve in growing purslane . It is a devoid source of alimental food . Purslane easily reproduces from fore piece and seeds with no effort on our part . It ’s lush characteristic reach it very drought tolerant .
Purslane tastes good : Purslane ’s succulent - like leaves have a refreshingly frosty , slenderly Citrus limon flavor with a nice compaction that make a fantastic addition to any salad . The theme have a tangy and peppery kick . in person , I regain the shank to be a little tough but the leaves are tossed onto pizza , scrambled up in eggs , add as a Warren Earl Burger topping , and nosh on while I am in the garden .
In accession , Purslane has been used since ancient multiplication to treat various health precondition . In Traditional Formosan Medicine , Portulaca Oleracea is called Ma Chi Xian and is used to aid in clarification heat , drum out toxin , and cooling origin . It is turned in taste and cold in nature and get going to meridian of liver and large gut . ( rootage : TCM AssistantandTCM Wiki )
I will carry on to squander Purslane moderately in regular repast and encourage you to give this spare food resource a effort . I have gather someRecipes for Purslane on Pinterest :
Further recital :
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