Portulaca oleracea

• Can be eaten raw or cooked. In Greece it is a common salad food but also cooked in a garlic sauce. In  Greece, there is a saying, “you ate purslane and don’t stop”, meaning people who talk continuously and don’t stop for a break!
• Its ancient Greek name is ‘andrakla’ and was recommended by Dioscurides (Greek botanist and physician, 40-90 AD) to treat headaches, heart burn, spleen problems, eye issues and stomach ulcers.
• This was also used by Hippocrates (Father of Medicine 370 BC) as a healing herb too.
• Purslane is very high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids and vitamins.
• Other common names: Pig weed, Horse money
• Its seeds are tiny and blow around which is why it always seems to be in every other plant pot in my garden at home.

Since it grows around the world so easily, and not even needing much watering, I say we should all start using it a whole lot more in our salads 🙂