Common purslane, pusley, pigweed or hogweed, as it is commonly called, is an annual succulent native to the Indian subcontinent and now widely distributed across the continents actually as a wild weed. Pusley is widely grown in many Asian and European regions as a staple leafy vegetable and long used in salads and as a medicinal. This leafy vegetable is a rich source of vitamin A (1320 IU/100 g provides 44% of RDA), vitamin C, protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Carotenids, B-complex vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, dietary minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium and manganese are also present. Other reported bioactive constituents are noradrenaline, calcium salts, dopamine, DOPA, malic acid, citric acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, nicotinic acid, glucose, fructose and sucrose.

Cosmetic use

Extract of the whole plant is used in several skin care products for acne control. Its high vitamin A content known for powerful antioxidant activity makes it an ingredient in botanical extracts included as damage control agents in skin care.