Medicinally it refers to the dried aboveground part of Portolaca oleracea L., which is a plant in the family Portulacaceae. Other names include Moss rose, Verdolaga, Herba Portulacae, Pursley, Pigweed, horse tooth amaranth, Little Hogweed, and so on. Usually it is harvested during summer and autumn.

Purslane plant is an annual herb, which can reach up to 35cm. Lower part of stem creeps and branches; upper part is slightly erect or decumbent, succulent, green or lavender, and entirely smooth and hairless. Simple leaf is alternate or nearly opposite; blade is fleshy, oblong, spatulate, or obovate, 0.6 to 2.7cm long and 0.4 to 1.1cm wide, and with rounded apex, entire margin, and broadly cuneate base that resembles horse teeth. Yellow purslane flower blooms in summer, 3 to 5 of them cluster at the top of branch. Conical capsule contains many small black flat round seeds and cracks into shape of cap from the waist. Habitats include roadside, field, gardens and other sunny places.

PORTULACA OLERACEA HEALTH BENEFITS 
Though considered an invasive weed in some place, it is actually a pretty tasty leaf vegetable. As mentioned above, it is also an herb with many medicinal uses. According to reports, clinically purslane is a common medication for dysentery, acute gastroenteritis, diarrhea, etc. And it also has a curative effect on a variety of ulcerative dermatosis and would infections, such as Mastitis, boils, Erysipelas, Cellulitis, athlete's foot, and so on. In recent year, fresh portulaca oleracea leaf and stem are also widely used in the healing of Psoriasis (1), chronic atrophic gastritis associated with intestinal metaplasia and atypical hyperplasia (2), biliary ascariasis (3), hookworm, urinary tract infections, Herpes Zoster, acne, Diabetes, etc. Thanks to its skin benefits, now it is extensively used in the industries of cosmetics, skin care, and even weight loss, available in many different choices, such as portulaca oleracea supplement, tea, tablets, extract, oil, etc.

Portulaca Oleracea

PORTULACA OLERACEA RECIPES ON HERBAL FORMULAS 
According to The Chinese Pharmacopoeia, it is sour in taste and cold in nature and goes to meridians of liver and large intestine. Basic functions are heat-clearing and detoxifying and blood cooling and arresting. Major portulaca oleracea uses and indications include heat-toxin causing bloody flux, swollen welling-abscess, deep-rooted boil, eczema, erysipelas, snake bites, mucous or bloody stools, hemorrhoids bleeding, and uterine bleeding. Recommended dosage is from 9 to 15 grams in dried herb or 30 to 60 grams in fresh herb.

1. Ma Chi Zhou from Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang (Taiping Holy Prescriptions for Universal Relief). It is used to cook congee with rice for the treatment of dysenteric diarrhea.

2. Ma Chi San Fu Fang from Sheng Ji Zong Lu (Complete Record of Holy Benevolence). It is formulated with Mu Xiang (Costus), Dan Sha (cinnabar), and salt to cure paronychia externally.

3. Ma Chi Xian Gao from Yi Zong Jin Jian (Golden Mirror of Orthodox Medicine). It is used alone to treat blood heat and exuberant internal heat toxin, carbuncle, and erysipelas.