← All supplements
Moderate evidenceHeart & metabolic

Purslane

A leafy weed rich in alpha-linolenic acid, taken for blood sugar and cholesterol. Several meta-analyses of small trials show modest improvements, mostly in people who already have metabolic problems.

Where to buy

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

What the science says

  • Modest improvement in glycemic markers Moderate evidence

    A GRADE-assessed meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials found purslane lowered fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c. The included trials were small and largely from one region.

  • Small reductions in blood lipids Moderate evidence

    A meta-analysis of randomised trials reported reductions in total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, with effects that were statistically significant but clinically small.

  • No effect on blood pressure or body weight Limited evidence

    A 2023 meta-analysis of randomised trials found no meaningful change in blood pressure, body weight, BMI or waist circumference.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials used roughly 5–10 g/day of purslane seed powder, or 180–500 mg/day of extract, for 8–12 weeks.
SafetyWell tolerated as a food. High oxalate content is a concern for people prone to kidney stones, and it may add to glucose-lowering medication. Traditional use as a uterine stimulant means it is best avoided in pregnancy.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter.
With food?Take it with meals, which also blunts the effect of its oxalate load.
Worth knowingIt is high in oxalate, so if you have formed kidney stones take it with a calcium-containing meal or leave it alone.

Interactions

With medications

  • insulin and other glucose-lowering drugs

    Additive blood glucose lowering. monitor your glucose when starting or stopping it

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does purslane lower blood sugar?

Purslane has moderate evidence for modest improvements in blood sugar: a GRADE-assessed meta-analysis found it lowered fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c. The trials were small, largely from one region, and mostly in people with existing metabolic problems.

Does purslane lower cholesterol or help weight loss?

Purslane produced statistically significant but clinically small reductions in total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in a meta-analysis, with moderate evidence. A 2023 meta-analysis found no meaningful effect of purslane on body weight, waist or blood pressure.

How much purslane should I take?

Purslane trials used roughly 5–10 g/day of seed powder, or 180–500 mg/day of extract, for 8–12 weeks. Take purslane with meals, and monitor your glucose if you use glucose-lowering drugs.

Is purslane safe for people with kidney stones?

Purslane is high in oxalate, so if you have formed kidney stones, take it with a calcium-containing meal or leave it alone. Purslane is also best avoided in pregnancy because of its traditional use as a uterine stimulant.

Scientific references

Related in Heart & metabolic