There are many humble plants in nature that in normal times are considered useless and even annoying weeds, but for those with knowledge, they’ll have priceless uses unknown to the layman.
Some are edible and plenty of can save the day in a survival situation if you’ve the knowledge to reap the benefits of them.
Purslane is a plant that is commonly considered an invasive and worsening weed in gardens in North America and far of Europe and Asia.
Is purslane one in all these plants? Can you eat purslane in a survival situation?
Yes, you possibly can safely eat all parts of purslane and it is extremely nutritious. However, it does have some very dangerous cheaters, so positive identification is a must.
Purslane may thoroughly be one other trendy superfood plant, despite its widespread classification as a weed.
Purslane is completely full of the vitamins and minerals your hard-working body needs, and it also has a pleasant tart, spicy flavor, making it an awesome addition to a salad or some other meal.
You would do well to learn to acknowledge purslane so that you may use it wherever you discover it. In this text, you’ll learn more about eating it in a survival situation.
Where is purslane found?
Purslane, also referred to as common purslane (purslane oleracea) will be present in most corners of the world and has long been believed to be spread mainly by human activity.
It will be present in most of central and southern Europe across the Mediterranean, through the Middle East and throughout southern Asia. Some colonies are established in Africa.
Interestingly, purslane’s status in North America is disputed.
There are many reports of sightings of the plant here and there, but major concentrations appear to be lacking, although there’s historical evidence of the plant, and indeed Native Americans used it as a continuing source of food.
In addition, it would often appear, almost all the time unwanted, in gardens, most of which quickly remove it.
That being said, there’s a growing movement to make use of this innocent-looking weed as a nutrient-dense leafy vegetable, so some small farms and plenty of gardeners grow it in large quantities.
Purslane Nutrition Facts
Purslane has a formidable dietary profile, each macro and micronutrients.
It incorporates roughly 2% protein and three% carbohydrates with trace amounts of fat and is high in vitamin E and vitamin C, in addition to smaller amounts of all B vitamins, including folic acid.
The only two vitamins which might be clearly lacking are vitamin K and vitamin A, although the latter is again present in trace amounts.
Also noteworthy is the presence of a surprising amount of omega-3 fatty acids, a nutrient that’s difficult to acquire in amounts from most foods apart from fish.
Equally impressive is the mineral content of purslane, with tons of magnesium, manganese, iron, potassium and calcium with a touch of phosphorus and zinc.
All in all, purslane may give you few calories but loads of vitamins and minerals, all needed to maintain your body healthy and performing at peak efficiency.
Purslane can easily make up for vitamin deficiencies in the remaining of the food plan, especially amongst wild-grown or caught foods, making it essential for survival.
What does purslane taste like?
Purslane has a really unique flavor, often described as barely salty and spicy or bitter, a bit like arugula, and depending on where it grows, it may possibly have a slight lemony note.
Purslane is a fixture in various cuisines around the globe, where it’s alternately used as a cooked green or raw in a salad, and can be made into soups or used as a condiment or addition to many other dishes, each meat and vegetable.
Most people like purslane once they’ve tried it, and you possibly can actually do loads worse on the subject of flavor amongst wild plants.
Can you eat purslane raw?
Yes, purslane will be eaten raw and all parts of the plant are secure. However, like several raw vegetable, there’s a risk of contracting food-borne diseases from raw, wild purslane. More on that in a minute.
Can you eat purslane leaves?
Yes, and purslane leaves are the perfect a part of the plant for a lot of. Delicate, crunchy and fragrant, they’re filled with nutrients and simple to choose. Don’t miss them.
Is it possible to eat purslane stalks and stalks?
Yes. Purslane stems and stalks are also edible, and most plants are tender and attractive.
Are there any risks of eating purslane?
Purslane itself doesn’t have many risks apart from moderate levels of oxalic acid, which provides it a spicy, barely sour flavor.
High oxalic acid intake has been linked to the formation of kidney stones, so definitely keep that in mind if you happen to’re liable to these nasty things.
Oxalic acid has also been linked, in very high doses, to kidney failure, although you’d must eat a really incredible amount of purslane over time for that to be even the slightest factor.
Other than that, the most important worry about eating wild purslane is food poisoning brought on by germs on or within the plant.
There are several such common germs that may cause food poisoning, probably the most common being listeria.
Whether brought on by this (listeriosis) or by one other microorganism, food poisoning normally causes abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes fever, although complications are removed from surprising.
This is actually a difficult time under normal circumstances, but in a survival situation it may possibly prove fatal by a mixture of dehydration or just stopping you from doing the things it is advisable to do to remain alive.
Washing purslane is all the time really useful at least if possible, and cooking it to eliminate these germs is all the time a great idea.
Purslane responds thoroughly to steaming or gentle cooking, so that you haven’t got to fret about giving up an excessive amount of nutrients.
Note: Purslane has poisonous imitators
Purslane, like essentially the most useful wild plants, unfortunately has several toxic doubles that may spell disaster for the unwary or uneducated.
One of essentially the most common and dangerous purslane doppelgängers is the cruciferous spurge which, despite its amusing name, is an analogous low-growing plant.
When faced with this hellish green, you will not find it funny: spurge has a milky sap that may cause severe inflammation and damage to the mucous membranes, temporary blindness, and a painful rash on exposed skin. It can be known to be carcinogenic!
This is a plant you’d never wish to run into, and picking it for food since you mistook it for purslane generally is a really terrible mistake.
As all the time, attempt to learn the nuances of any useful plant you’ll depend on in a survival situation. A case of mistaken identity can have deadly consequences!
