No matter how hard you try, there’s a pretty good chance you have some weeds in your yard and around your landscaping. Those pesky weeds seem to survive everything. Even when it’s too hot for the grass to cold or everything is killed off by a hard frost, those weeds survive. So, you go out into your yard, crawl around on your hands and knees, and pull the weeds up. You hope they won’t come back but let’s face it, they always do.
There are some plants that grow in our yards that we consider weeds, but are actually useful plants. If you happen to live in many areas of the United States and quite a few places around the world, you may recognize purslane. It’s fairly common and we usually pull it up and toss it out with the other weeds. Purslane however, shouldn’t be discarded with the rest – it has some surprising health benefits.
It just may replace some more expensive supplements or produce that you’re already buying, and it doesn’t cost a thing! Perhaps the best thing about purslane is that it actually tastes good and can be used in a wide variety of recipes. It has a crunchy texture and with just a hint of lemony flavor and works as an excellent substitute for spinach.
The purslane plant itself is actually a succulent and an extremely hardy one at that. The plant and seeds are sturdy and prolific, and when ingested the strong, disease and environmentally resistant plant passes some of that strength on to you. It’s a potent anti-oxidant and an extremely rich source of vitamin A, providing more than any other leafy green vegetable. Vitamin A is necessary for eye health and helps to ward off certain forms of cancer. It’s rich in other vitamins as well, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, and calcium, magnesium and iron. All of that, in addition to the Omega-3 fatty acids, make purslane a great choice to help prevent heart attack and stroke, aid in digestion, and more. If you’re still not convinced, check out this video for more information, health benefits, and ways to use purslane.
