Purslane

Regional names

Pussley

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

• In Trinidad and Tobago, where it's called pussley, the whole plant is used for high cholesterol and shortness of breath. The 2006 review that recorded this judged there was enough evidence to support its traditional use for high cholesterol.[2]

• Purslane is a classic plant used as both food and medicine. It has a long traditional use for:

  • Inflammation
  • Dysentery (bloody diarrhea)
  • Skin infections
  • Diabetes and high blood fats

  [3]

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

• Lab analyses show purslane is rich in an omega-3 fat (alpha-linolenic acid), vitamins C and E, carotenoids and minerals. Its nutrient content varies a lot depending on how and where it's grown.[4]

Research in people

• A 2023 review that combined randomized trials found purslane supplements lowered fasting blood sugar a little. They didn't change insulin levels or insulin resistance. The authors say longer, high-quality trials are needed to confirm this.[5]

  Technical detail: GRADE-assessed meta-analysis; fasting blood glucose WMD −6.37 (95% CI −9.34 to −3.40, p < 0.001); no significant effect on insulin, HOMA-IR or QUICKI.

• A 2024 review of randomized trials in people with type 2 diabetes found purslane lowered fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL ("bad") cholesterol and CRP, a marker of inflammation. It raised HDL ("good") cholesterol. It didn't change insulin or HbA1c, a measure of long-term blood sugar. The authors say high-quality trials are needed to confirm the results.[6]

  Technical detail: WMDs — FBG −15.01 (95% CI −25.31 to −4.71); TC −17.75; TG −21.30; LDL-C −6.10; CRP −1.44; HDL-C +6.17; no significant effect on insulin, HbA1c or HOMA-IR.