Portulaca Oleracea Extract: What Is It, Benefits, Uses, and Risks

Portulaca oleracea extract is derived from the dried whole herb of Portulaca oleracea L., commonly known as purslane, a plant native to many regions worldwide. This plant has long been recognized for its medicinal and nutritional value, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. With its cooling and detoxifying properties, it is increasingly being explored for its potential health benefits. But what exactly is this extract? How does it work, and what are the potential risks?

What Is Portulaca Oleracea Extract?

Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as purslane, is a succulent annual herb that grows in fields, wastelands, and along roadsides. The extract is obtained from its whole dried plant, containing a rich array of bioactive compounds such as noradrenaline, potassium salts, organic acids (citric and malic acids), flavonoids, omega-3 fatty acids (like α-linolenic acid), and alkaloids¹.

It’s interesting to note that Portulaca oleracea is both a medicinal and edible plant. Traditionally, it has been used to cool internal heat, detoxify the body, and reduce inflammation². While the raw plant may not always be convenient to store or use, the extract provides a more practical and potent solution.

Health Benefits of Portulaca Oleracea Extract

1. Antibacterial Properties

The extract, especially when prepared as an ethanol or water-based solution, has shown remarkable antibacterial effects. Studies have indicated its efficacy in inhibiting bacteria like Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, and Staphylococcus aureus. These properties make it a potential natural preservative or antimicrobial agent in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries³.

• Example: Portulaca oleracea’s antibacterial properties can help reduce reliance on synthetic preservatives, contributing to cleaner and more natural product formulations.

2. Cardiovascular Health

Studies suggest that the extract can impact the cardiovascular system by regulating blood pressure⁴. Extracts from the stems and leaves have been shown to increase heart muscle contractility and raise blood pressure in lab animals. Its effectiveness is linked to its action on alpha-adrenergic receptors, which mediate blood vessel contraction⁵.

3. Smooth Muscle Relaxation

The extract also has smooth muscle-relaxing effects, making it helpful for conditions like asthma or digestive cramps⁶. Purslane’s fresh juice and hot water extracts can relax tracheal strips and enhance intestinal motility⁷. Interestingly, this relaxation effect is thought to be similar to how acetylcholine affects muscle tissues.

• Example: Imagine you’re dealing with a stubborn muscle cramp—purslane extract could potentially be part of a future natural solution for this kind of issue.

4. Muscle Relaxation and Potassium Levels

The extract has been studied for its effect on skeletal muscles. It can both stimulate initial muscle contraction and, over time, promote prolonged muscle relaxation⁸. Purslane’s high potassium content also plays a role in raising blood potassium levels, which is beneficial for maintaining overall muscle health⁹.

• Human anecdote: Many athletes may find the potassium boost from the extract useful for muscle recovery after intense exercise.

5. Impact on Uterine Health

Fresh purslane juice or its extracts have been found to stimulate uterine contractions¹⁰. In fact, it’s so effective that it has been compared to oxytocin in its ability to contract the uterus in both laboratory animals and postpartum women. This property could offer natural alternatives for medical interventions that require uterine stimulation.

Uses of Portulaca Oleracea Extract

Portulaca oleracea extract has found applications in various industries, primarily for its antibacterial and soothing properties. It is widely used in cosmetics, particularly in products designed for sensitive skin or scalp treatments.

• Cosmetics and Skincare: The extract is added to creams, lotions, and shampoos for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits. Some studies suggest it may help in the treatment of conditions like eczema or acne due to its ability to reduce bacterial load and soothe irritation¹¹.
• Food Industry: Given its natural antimicrobial properties, the extract can be used as a food preservative, offering a more natural alternative to synthetic chemicals¹².

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Although Portulaca oleracea extract is generally considered safe and is widely used in skincare and other products, there are some potential risks:

• Skin Irritation: In rare cases, individuals may experience skin reactions such as redness, itching, or rashes. This could be due to sensitivity to one of the many bioactive compounds present in the extract.
• Uterine Contractions: Due to its impact on the uterus, pregnant women should avoid the extract unless under medical supervision, as it could trigger contractions.

Conclusion

Portulaca oleracea extract offers a wide range of health benefits, from its antibacterial properties to its role in cardiovascular and smooth muscle health. It’s a versatile extract used in cosmetics, food, and possibly even as a medical treatment. However, despite its wide applications and mostly mild side effects, caution should be exercised, especially for sensitive individuals and pregnant women. With its growing popularity, it could soon become a staple ingredient in both natural medicine and mainstream consumer products.

1. Petropoulos S, Karkanis A, Martins N, et al. Phytochemical composition and bioactive compounds of common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) as affected by crop management practices[J]. Trends in food science & technology, 2016, 55: 1-10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224416300462 ↩︎
2. https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E9%A9%AC%E9%BD%BF%E8%8B%8B/394425 ↩︎
3. Lei X, Li J, Liu B, et al. Separation and identification of four new compounds with antibacterial activity from Portulaca oleracea L[J]. Molecules, 2015, 20(9): 16375-16387. https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/20/9/16375 ↩︎
4. Ebrahimian Z, Razavi B M, Shaegh S A M, et al. Effects of Portulaca oleracea L.(purslane) on the metabolic syndrome: A review[J]. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 2022, 25(11): 1275. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9699952/ ↩︎
5. Safaeian L, Baniahmad B, Esfandiari Z, et al. Portulaca oleracea seeds extract does not prevent dexamethasone-induced hypertension in rats[J]. Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 2017, 7(1): 8-12. https://herbmedpharmacol.com/Article/JHP_4101_20170904131415 ↩︎
6. Rohan R, Rani R, Singh A P, et al. Herbs as Skeletal Muscle Relaxant: An Updated Review[J]. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics, 2024, 14(5): 205-209. https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/6577 ↩︎
7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24189968_Portulaca_oleracea_L_in_the_Treatment_of_Patients_with_Abnormal_Uterine_Bleeding_A_Pilot_Clinical_Trial ↩︎
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/037887419390067F ↩︎
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3934766/ ↩︎
10. https://www.drugs.com/npp/purslane.html ↩︎
11. Kim I Y, Lee M H, Shim S B, et al. Skin lightening and wrinkle improving efficacy of organic Portulaca oleracea extract in skin care cosmetic[J]. International Journal of Bio-Science and Bio-Technology, 2013, 5(5): 75-84. https://www.earticle.net/Article/A205324 ↩︎
12. Bae J H. Antimicrobial effect of Portulaca oleracea extracts on food-borne pathogens[J]. Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, 2004, 9(4): 306-311. https://www.dbpia.co.kr/Journal/articleDetail?nodeId=NODE00637294 ↩︎