Many thousands of years ago, it never occurred to anyone to look for ways to remove purslane. It is widely used in cooking and used as medicinal herb. In Asian countries, purslane is still used in cooking (young shoots and upper leaves). They have a spicy aroma, so greens are added as a seasoning to meat dishes, stewed with vegetables and boiled in soups. Cooks pickle the succulent shoots of the plant. Especially popular are fresh salads with the addition of raw dandur greens (the second name of the plant). The leaves are very rich in ascorbic acid and carotene.

What does the plant look like

In Central Asia, the Caucasus and the southern parts of Europe, purslane grows in abundance. However, do not confuse wild and cultivated varieties. The weed fills vegetable gardens and orchards, bringing trouble to summer residents. People call it "chicken leg". Fat stems pierce the ground like snakes, giving the impression of a carpet. In height, the plant reaches no more than 20 cm, the main forces go to strengthen the root system. The leaves will help determine which variety is growing in your area. In wild dandur, they are fleshy and rounded, like shoulder blades. In a cultivated species, the leaves are sharp, elongated.

From the beginning of summer to mid-September, the purslane blooms with small yellow inflorescences. A blooming bright carpet looks very attractive, but it is better to get rid of it as soon as possible. One gram contains more than 3000 seeds. Distributed in the garden, they can sprout for another 10 years. Purslane is distinguished by its "survivability", so gardeners are still looking for new methods of dealing with this weed.

How to deal with a weed

If you do not like to experiment and are not ready to cook a dish with purslane, hurry to remove it from the beds. As with any other weed, there are two methods to deal with dandur in the garden:

• mechanically;
• chemically.

blooming weed

The most important rule in this matter is not to procrastinate. It is impossible to allow a violent growth of the weed in the beds, and even more so to allow it to bloom. As soon as you find small thick sprouts, start weeding the ground. This process is very labor intensive. Dandur can rise 3-4 times per season. This usually happens when the temperature rises to 25 degrees. After watering the planted plants, all weeds sprout, and dandur is no exception. Therefore, be sure to go the next day after rain or watering and view your possessions. Dandur has developed strong immunity to chemicals and herbicides.

Mechanical methods of struggle

Everything effective methods mechanical struggle with purslane can be divided into 3 groups:

• Regular garden weeding.
• Deep digging.

1. Regular weeding

If you want to sharpen your glanders and rid the garden of weeds in a day, you are forced to upset. The only way weeding a garden plot - pulling out shoots by hand. Put on your gloves and get ready for the hard work. Sprouts are easily pulled out of damp soil. Don't let them get stronger. The best way to prevent a strong overgrowth of the garden is regular weeding, which should be carried out from mid-April.

The main mistake of summer residents is that in no case should you tear or cut the aerial part of the weed. The injured root begins to multiply rapidly, becoming stronger in the soil.

Thus, you will only harm your site. Instead of getting rid of weeds as expected, you will increase the area of ​​its growth. The plucked sprouts must be taken to a remote place and wait until they dry. Gardeners offer, if possible, to burn the plucked weeds.

It's popular natural way get the weeds out of your garden. To remove purslane, mulching with organic and inorganic materials is suitable. Organic materials include tree shavings and bark, sawdust, leaves, and grass clippings. Inorganic mulch: black film, pebbles or gravel. The disadvantages of the materials of the first group is the attraction of slugs and insects.

The earth is covered with a layer of mulch of at least 5 cm. Mulching not only helps to get rid of harmful plants. It maintains the temperature of the soil and protects it from overheating, drying out and erosion, allowing the earth to stay loosened longer. Under the poured layer of straw or sawdust, surface and soil bacteria begin to become more active. They have a detrimental effect on purslane. For a certain type of weeds, they select their own type of mulching. Hay or straw is best for killing dandur.

3. Deep digging

Deep digging of the entire garden - useful procedures for the cleanliness of the garden. These procedures are recommended in early spring and late autumn. Digging prevents the summer rampage of weeds. This is due to the fact that scattered seeds fall deep underground. If purslane seeds are 20 cm underground, they have no chance of germinating. Immediately after digging, do not forget to cultivate the soil.

Some gardeners practice a "cunning" way to deal with weeds. In the spring, 2 weeks before planting, water should be poured into the prepared holes or beds, simulating watering after planting the seeds. After 2-3 days, purslane sprouts will begin to sprout at this place, which must be removed within 2 weeks before planting. By this time, the soil will be practically clean, because all the hidden seeds will already come to light.

Fighting with herbicides

In appearance, the leaves and stems seem shiny, polished. This impression is created by a protective wax layer that covers the plant. This layer is impervious to most herbicides. That is why purslane is resistant to chemicals. The plant is dangerous after it is removed from the soil. The weed collected in a heap must be treated with herbicides "Tornado", "Napalm" or similar substances.

The same preparations are advised to cultivate the soil after collecting weeds. Even after weeding, thousands of seeds “sit” in the soil, ready to hatch after the first rain or watering. When planting carrots or onions, you can use the Stomp herbicide, and Zenkor is suitable for potatoes.

Many advise trying to make a salad or soup puree from purslane before declaring war on it. Perhaps, after a successful culinary experiment, you will lose the desire to weed the entire garden. If you are determined, stock up on strength and gloves, because without them you will not be able to overcome the malicious weed.

Instruction

To defeat the enemy or prevent his appearance, recognize the "enemy" in person. The seeds of this plant ripen 2-3 times a year, so it's easy to guess how much they accumulate in the soil. Seeds begin to germinate at a temperature of 25 ° C, and an intensive process is observed after rain or watering. Be patient, because you have a difficult one ahead of you.

If you decide to get rid of mechanically, pull out the weed along with the root. In the case when the weed is cut with a hoe, its root system remains in the soil, new shoots are formed from it later. Try to regularly weed the beds and do not let the weed bloom.

Cover the area affected by purslane with mulch: it can be hay, straw or other organic material (fill in a layer of 3-4 cm). This protective layer will pacify the raging plant, and also drive away harmful insects. If you regularly carry out mulching, the fertility of your soil personal plot will increase several times, and there will be no need to use chemicals.

Get rid of garden purslane spraying with herbicides will help. Use this method in the fall, when the crop is already harvested. To control the weed, use a mixture of "Roundal" with another herbicide ("Pyramin" or "Lazurite" or "Octigen"). Dissolve in the sprayer tank first "Lazurit", and after "Roundal" (observe the norms specified in the instructions). Spray the area. Remember: if it started to rain within 10 hours after spraying, the effectiveness of this procedure is too low. Herbicides act gradually, this weed will die within 7-10 days.

note

Follow the safety rules when spraying the area with herbicides.

Useful advice

Garden purslane seeds remain viable for 30 years.

Advice 2: How to get rid of purslane (fat woman) in the garden

Purslane - useful plant. However, if it gets into the garden, it can fill the entire space and prevent the growth of cultivated plants. Other names for purslane: buterlak, chicken leg, fat woman, pine. Even one seed of this weed can produce huge offspring and clog the entire area.

Its peculiarity is that it grows well even on the poorest soils, and on nutritious, lovingly prepared for crops, it multiplies many times faster. Therefore, as soon as the first sprout of the fat woman appears, remove it immediately and watch for new sprouts.

It would be useful to look behind the fence: if there is a purslane there, then in this place it must be destroyed. After all, it reproduces both by seeds (thousands of small seeds from one plant), and by processes of roots and stems - it simply crawls from behind the fence into the garden. And it forms such a useless carpet that does not give life to other plants.

How to get rid of purslane (fatty) without chemistry

Weeding and once again weeding - here The best way. However, you need to remove the smallest pieces of the plant, because a new weed can grow from them. It is important to monitor new shoots of purslane every 7 days and remove them until the seeds are ripe. It is better to put the plants on a litter in the sun so that they dry completely. If the lashes come into contact with the ground, new shoots will come from them.

Important: do not use a chopper, flat cutter, secateurs and other similar devices to weed weeds. They divide the purslane into parts, from which new weeds will grow, and there will be even more of them. Only careful selection of pieces and roots will give the desired effect.

You can also apply mulching straw, sawdust, etc. Mulch is laid out in a layer of 3-5 cm, no less. If the fat woman has grown a lot, cover it with boards, cardboard or a piece of roofing material so that it does not receive light and moisture.

Will also help digging with a pitchfork : in this case, you can select the stems and roots, and the seeds will fall into the depth and will not be able to germinate, because they sprout at a depth of no more than 2 cm.

There is a way like emergency watering . The bed is dug up, watered a lot every day, and the seedlings of purslane are monitored. In about a week, pink sprouts will appear - this is purslane. They are removed, and the weed will not appear here again.

How to get rid of purslane (fatty) with the help of chemistry

If the clogging of the site with purslane has reached catastrophic proportions, herbicides of continuous action will help. They are used in the fall, when the crop is already harvested. Experienced fighters with purslane advise a double dose: the combination of Roundup with Lapis Lazuli, Pyramin or Octigen. Make the solution strictly according to the instructions.

Spraying is best done in clear weather. If there was no rain for 10 hours, one treatment is enough. If it was, spraying will have to be repeated.

After two weeks, the entire purslane will dry. This method of destroying a fat woman can be used if it grows along a fence or on paths.

The main thing when using herbicides is to close cultivated plants so they don't get hurt.

Sources:

• Purslane weed: how to fight in the garden

Most people mean " noxious weed”, which is not so easy to get rid of. At the same time, do not forget that this plant is among the "food". In France, it is on the list of the most important vegetable crops. Moreover, it is also medicinal, which makes it possible to use it in the fight against numerous pathological conditions. What is this plant, and in the fight against what diseases it can be used, you will find out right now.

General information

Purslane is an annual succulent herbaceous plant of the purslane family, which is propagated by seeds or cuttings. The name itself comes from the word portula", which in Latin means " gate". This name was given to this plant only because its seed pods also open like collars. The genus includes about 100 species. Note that this plant is especially popular among flower growers, but gardeners do not favor it. By the way, it is flower growers who call this plant " rug».

Botanical description

The stem of the plant is smooth, red, recumbent, branched from the base. In length, it reaches from 10 to 40 cm. The leaves are fleshy, obtuse, sessile, oblong-wedge-shaped or wedge-obovate. As for the upper leaves, they are opposite, while the lower ones are placed spirally. The flowers are small and endowed with a yellow color. All of them are collected in bunches and are located in the axils of the leaves or in the branches of the stem. The fruit is represented by a spherical or ovoid box, which opens with a transverse crack. In the box, in turn, there are numerous rough, shiny, rounded seeds. V scientific literature such a box is called a lid. You can see the plant blooming throughout the summer period. The fruits ripen only at the beginning of autumn. Plant seeds remain viable for up to 3 years.

Distribution and ecology

The homeland of the plant has not yet been identified. Specialists know only that it comes from the tropical regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Today, purslane grows in numerous regions of the globe, which are characterized by a warm climate. In Russia, it can be found in the Far East and the Caucasus. Favorite places of growth are considered to be river banks, fields, sandy areas, gardens, kitchen gardens, as well as places located near housing. The plant itself is unpretentious. It loves warmth and tolerates drought well. Even with a slight dimming, the plant does not bloom. The soil in which it grows should not contain any fertilizer. It does not need transplanting and pruning.

Collection and preparation

It is recommended to cut the leaves of the plant a month after the purslane sprouts. You can harvest raw materials until the plant begins to bloom.

Historical facts

The inhabitants of ancient Egypt depicted the plant in hieroglyphs and ate it regularly. There is evidence that in hieroglyphs mentions of him are found under the name " Makh-makai". Researcher shell Assyrian historical materials were found, in which he managed to find recipes with this plant for the treatment of various pathological conditions. Doctors Ancient Greece used various parts of the plant for the treatment of conjunctivitis, stomach pathologies, hemoptysis and other ailments. The Arabs called purslane " blessed vegetable". They also came up with a legend according to which Magomed managed to get rid of the wounds on his legs only due to the fact that he walked around the field in which this plant grew. Arabic doctor Ibn El-Benter prescribed the plant to patients with diseases of the kidneys, stomach, and liver. In Russian medical books that were written in the old days, one can also read that the juice of the plant in the form of lotions helps well with sunstroke.

Useful chemical composition

The aerial part of this plant contains very a large number of healing ingredients. Their list can include:

• Sahara;
• organic acids;
• saponins;
• glycosides;
• proteins;
• various vitamins;
• nicotinic acid;
• carotene;
• manganese;
• iron;
• zinc;
• nickel;
• copper;
• magnesium;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• sodium;
• tocopherol;
• mineral salts;
• norepinephrine;
• resinous and mucous substances;
• fatty acid.

Therapeutic properties

Purslane has numerous therapeutic properties, namely:

• diuretic;
• soothing;
• wound healing;
• antitoxic;
• hemostatic;
• anthelmintic;
• restorative;
• diaphoretic;
• antiseptic;
• antiscorbutic;
• painkiller.

Use in medicine

Already Hippocrates and Pliny many medicinal properties of this plant were known. In ancient times, various parts of the plant were used mainly for body cleansing. In addition, they treated insomnia, dysentery, scurvy, flatulence, various forms beriberi, impotence, as well as trichomonas colpitis ( inflammation of the vagina under the influence of Trichomonas).

Did not do without purslane and with bites poisonous insects or a snake. Diseases of the kidneys and liver, psoriasis, internal bleeding, diabetes, wounds, ulcers, stomach pathologies, hemorrhoids - all these are also indications for the use of this plant. traditional healers it is also prescribed to patients suffering from regular headaches, bladder diseases, arthritis, conjunctivitis, hypotension or enterocolitis. Under the influence of its healing components, there is a significant increase in heart rate, vasoconstriction, increased blood pressure, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as well as a decrease in the strength of manifestation inflammatory processes. Plant seeds are appropriate to take with bronchial asthma, as well as in the presence of malignant or benign tumors. With the help of a tincture prepared from this plant, it is possible to significantly enhance the formation of insulin in the body - a hormone that is especially important for metabolism.

Contraindications and side effects

The plant is strictly forbidden to use by patients with a tendency to convulsions. With extreme caution, it should be taken in hypertensive diseases, as well as strong nervous tension. Bradycardia ( low heart rate), diencephalic paroxysms ( a complex of symptoms that occurs when the hypothalamic region is affected) - all these are also contraindications to the use of this plant. As for side effects, they have not yet been identified.

Decoction recipes

• Recipe #1: 1 st. l. fresh herbs pour 1 cup boiling water and boil for 10 minutes over low heat. Then we leave the broth for another 120 minutes to infuse, filter it and take 2 tbsp. l. three times a day for diseases of the liver or kidneys. The same decoction can be washed with ulcers and wounds.
• Recipe #2: 1 st. l. chopped dried herbs brew for 15 minutes in 1 incomplete glass of boiling water. Pour the mixture into a thermos and leave to infuse for 90 minutes. Then let the broth cool, filter it and take 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day before meals in the fight against the same pathologies as in the first case. Outwardly, such a decoction should be used as lotions for psoriasis, lichen, wounds or ulcers.
• Recipe #3: 10 gr. grated seeds pour 1 cup of boiled water and boil for 10 minutes. After another half an hour of infusion of the decoction, we filter it and use it as lotions for pustular rashes, weeping eczema and scaly lichen.

Other folk remedies

1. With impotence: 1 st. l. dried herbs are steamed for 60 minutes in 250 ml of boiling water. Strain the infusion and drink 2 tbsp. l. three times - four times a day.

2. For ulcerative colitis: boil for 10 minutes 1 tbsp. l. dried herbs in 200 ml of boiling water. We leave the broth to infuse for an hour and a half, filter it and take 2 tbsp. l. morning, afternoon and evening.

3. With whites: 40 gr. fresh herbs should be steamed for 2 hours in 200 ml of boiling water. After that, squeeze the juice and mix it with 2 chicken proteins. The mixture is slightly warmed up and drunk during the day. The course of therapy is from 7 to 10 days.

4. With gastritis with high acidity: 1 st. l. boil dried raw materials for 15 minutes in 1 cup of boiling water. The decoction is filtered and taken orally 3 tbsp. l. three times a day before meals.

5. With diabetes: pour 2 tbsp. l. chopped herbs 1.5 cups boiling water. After 60 - 90 minutes, we filter the infusion and use it for oral administration. With a mild form of the disease, we take 1 - 2 tbsp. l. infusion, in severe form - 3 - 4 tbsp. spoons.

Purslane in cosmetics

Also in ancient times This plant has been widely used for cosmetic purposes. Since the components of this plant tend to accelerate tissue regeneration, the skin under their influence becomes soft and silky. Moreover, cell rejuvenation occurs, which significantly prolongs the aging process of the skin. Minor wrinkles generally disappear. This plant is perfect for hair care. You can turn to this plant for help in the presence of any type of skin.

1. Nourishing mask: 2 tbsp. l. crushed leaves mixed with 1 tsp. sour cream and 4 tbsp. l. soft curd. The resulting mixture is applied to the skin of the face, neck and décolleté. After 15 minutes, wash it off with a warm decoction of chamomile or parsley, after which we apply any moisturizer.

2. Mask for normal to oily skin: 2 tbsp. l. gruel from the young greenery of the plant is mixed with 1 tsp. oatmeal. We apply the gruel on the face for 15 minutes. It is recommended to wash off such a mask with water at room temperature.

3. Infusion for washing the head against dandruff: 1 st. l. dried herbs are steamed for 60 minutes in 1 cup of boiling water. We filter the infusion and rub it into the scalp after each wash.

4. Mask for dry skin: 2 tbsp. l. chopped herbs mixed with 1 tsp. olive oil and the same amount of honey. We apply on the face and hold the mask for 10 to 15 minutes, after which we wash it off with a swab previously dipped in warm green tea brew. Then we wash ourselves with cool, but at the same time boiled water.

Despite the fact that this plant does not tend to cause side effects, its use for cosmetic purposes is best discussed at the consultation of a beautician.

Treatment with purslane juice

The juice of this plant is endowed with the same therapeutic properties as its herb. Given this fact, it is included in the course of therapy for the same diseases. So, for example, in the presence of hemorrhoids, folk healers recommend squeezing 2 tbsp. l. juice and mix it with 2 tbsp. l. boiled warm water. With the resulting remedy, we make enemas twice a day for 2 weeks. Fresh juice should also be drunk with hemoptysis, 1 dessert spoon three times - four times a day. If you want to get rid of warts, then simply lubricate them regularly with this juice.

Purslane in cooking

Both young stems and leaves of this plant can be eaten fresh and processed. They are used to make soups, condiments meat dishes, spicy salads, puree. For the winter, raw materials are pickled and salted. In addition, it is stewed and fried, and sandwiches are also decorated with it. This plant is especially popular in the culinary of Central Asia, the countries of the Mediterranean and Transcaucasia. In European cuisine, he is given one of the last places. Often the leaves of the plant are used as a substitute for capers. They go well with both tomatoes and cottage cheese, lettuce, and cucumbers. Such a combination as purslane with potatoes is completely inappropriate. Often, the plant is included in the composition of a variety of vitamin salads, which are especially appreciated by adherents of a healthy lifestyle and rational nutrition.

• Both leaves and shoots should be harvested during the flowering period of the plant;
• To preserve healing raw materials, dry them thoroughly and store them in paper bags;
• Older stems are best added to stews or soups, but if the stems are juicy and young, then pickle them;
• Lightly boil the leaves, squeeze them and mix with garlic, pepper and grape bite. You will succeed delicious salad, which is perfect as a side dish for both fish and meat dishes.

Cooking recipes

1. Pickled purslane: you will need 1 liter of water, 2 tbsp. l. salt and 1 tbsp. l. 70% vinegar. We also take 1 tbsp. l. sugar, dill, basil, garlic, tarragon, purslane and parsley. We lay out all the greens at the bottom of each jar, after which we fill the jar with the leaves of this plant, after cutting them. For 10 minutes, pour boiled water into the jar, then drain the water and pour everything with boiling brine. We roll up and wrap the banks for a day.

2. Steam purslane: necessary ingredients - 1 bunch of plants, 1 onion, 2 tomatoes, 1 clove of garlic, half a glass of grated cheese. Also half a glass of sour cream, salt and pepper to taste and vegetable oil for frying. Peel and finely chop the leaves, then boil them for a couple. Peel tomatoes, chop onion and garlic food processor and fry everything in oil. Then add boiled leaves, sour cream, salt and pepper to taste to the resulting mixture. Simmer everything for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with grated cheese before serving.

3. Purslane with minced meat: take 2 bunches of plants, 250 gr. minced meat, 2 carrots, 3 tomatoes, 2 large onions, olive oil, as well as a little mint and large red pepper. Soak the plant in water, finely chop the onions and fry a little in olive oil. Then add the carrots to the onion, after thinly slicing it. After 10 minutes, add minced meat to the mass and after a few more minutes add tomatoes. We wash the plant under running water and dry it thoroughly. Remove the remaining roots and cut along with the branches. Add a little mint, pepper, salt to the pan and reduce the heat to a minimum. Cook everything for about 20 minutes under a closed lid. If there is not enough liquid, then add water. If there is a lot of it, then cook everything with an open lid. The dish should be served hot, and in combination with cold yogurt.

Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Garden purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) is an annual herbaceous plant that belongs to weeds. People are thinking about how to bring garden purslane because of its properties to braid and flood vegetable crops, taking a lot of moisture and nutrients from the soil. Purslane is nevertheless edible, has tender, fleshy leaves with sourness and is similar in taste to.

Plant features

A feature of purslane, like many other weeds, is its viability and undemanding to growing conditions. Weed grows on any soil, including sandy and rocky areas.

Wild purslane can be found on all continents. The weed plant is thermophilic and moisture-loving, it is distinguished by creeping reddish shoots, reaching a length of 10-40 cm. It blooms in small yellow flowers from June to September.

After flowering, garden purslane forms a fruit - a multi-seeded box. It cracks and spreads up to 1 million small, brown-black seeds.

Seeds fall off in September-October and are able to stay in the soil for up to 30 years without losing their germination.

Seeds germinate from the surface of the soil, or from a depth of no more than 1.5 cm. Particularly active growth occurs at temperatures above + 25 ° C and up to extremely high, as well as after watering or rain. In one season, garden purslane can reproduce up to 3-4 seed generations. Therefore, it is difficult to get rid of it in one year.

How to remove purslane garden

For weed control, mechanical and chemical methods. The use of drugs is not always appropriate on the site. Chemicals adversely affect the composition of the soil and cultivated plants.

To improve the quality of the soil and to get rid of weeds, observe and sow the area with continuous sowing crops, such as barley, oats or peas.

In places where purslane grows, onions, carrots and parsley are planted. They are able to suppress the germination of weeds after one weeding.

One of the methods on how to bring out garden purslane sprouts and how to deal with them is mulching, weeding and digging.

Mulching

Areas where weed growth has been observed are covered with a dense layer, 5-10 cm high. Mowed grass, hay or compost can be used as mulch. A layer of mulch is covered with corrugated cardboard or a dark garden film. In the absence of light and due to the compaction of materials, even the hatched seeds will not be able to develop.

Mulching is not only a way to remove garden purslane, but also an additional tool to improve the quality of the soil layer.

Purslane actively grows in well-lit areas, so by shading not only the seeds, but also the places of its growth, you can gradually remove the weed from the garden.

Weeding

Weeding is carried out manually after loosening and with the obligatory uprooting of the plant. Purslane weed is well removed from the ground, and unselected plant residues quickly resume their growth. Portulac dissected into parts takes root by releasing aerial roots. Therefore, uprooted plants are not left in the aisles and on the surface of the soil.

A supply of moisture accumulates in the roots of the purslane, which allows it to remain viable for a long time. To prevent re-rooting, all plant residues are burned or carried away outside the site. V compost pits only dried weeds can be used. Dry, torn from the soil, purslane under the sun, spreading it on a film so that it does not touch the ground.

Purslane is weeded without waiting for its flowering, because freshly ripened seeds are able to immediately begin new growth.

Purslane tends to actively germinate after watering. This ability is used to provoke germination - another method of removing garden purslane from the site. The place where the weed grows is intensively watered a few weeks before planting vegetable or flower crops and then the shoots that have appeared are carefully weeded out.

Digging

In order to remove the purslane from the garden, the places where it appears are deeply dug up. The seeds of the plant germinate only close to the surface. Therefore, after digging, they will be in the lower soil layer, from where they will not be able to germinate. Deep digging is recommended to be done in advance of planting vegetables - in autumn or early spring, so that beneficial soil bacteria can resume work in the soil layers.

Compliance with crop rotation and a combination of methods for getting rid of a weed plant will lead to a decrease, and then the complete disappearance of purslane from the garden.

About the properties of garden purslane - video

Garden purslane is a plant to which gardeners have a very controversial attitude. Some consider it a weed and are looking for ways to get rid of it. Others praise its taste and medicinal properties, specially grow it for themselves or for sale. This paradox deserves more detailed consideration.

The Latin name for garden purslane is Portulaca oleracea L. subsp. sativa. It is a vegetable annual plant and belongs to the purslane family. Purslane originally grew in Asia: in India, China, Mongolia and Japan. Today it is cultivated in Central and Southern Europe.

Once you see him in a photo in a botanical encyclopedia, purslane is easy to identify in your garden:

1. The plant has a height of 10 to 35 cm.
2. Its stem is thickened, branched at the base.
3. The leaves are green, oval, dense. Their size reaches 3 cm.
4. Purslane blooms from late spring to early autumn with small white or yellow flowers collected in inflorescences.
5. The fruits of the plant, 0.5 cm in size, are egg-shaped or ball-shaped boxes filled with seeds.

Garden owners have different attitudes towards this plant:

• taking for a weed, garden purslane is removed;
• feed it to pets, such as rabbits;
• use the plant in cooking;
• use purslane for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.

Useful properties of purslane

Before taking measures to combat garden purslane, it does not hurt to find out how it can be useful. The herb has a rich composition, which includes:

• vitamins, in particular A, C, E and PP;
• minerals (calcium salts, magnesium, manganese, etc.);
• proteins;
• saccharides.

As a medicine, grass is used to treat the organs of vision, digestion, urinary excretion, as well as for violations of the work. nervous system. Diabetics are advised to use the plant to lower blood sugar levels. It also helps to relax and cope with insomnia. Purslane in children and adults bring down the temperature.

And yet, they say, he is able to return male power.

For medicinal purposes, the leaves and seeds of the plant are used, decoctions and alcoholic infusions are prepared from them.

How to grow purslane, what dishes can be cooked with it

This herb is a very popular ingredient in Asian cuisines.

Makovei garden purslane is usually grown for food use. Less than a month passes from the moment of planting the seeds to the moment of harvesting. Each Makovei bush has 2-3 dozen leaves, the weight of one plant is about 100 g, it can be called portioned.

Makovey is very unpretentious. Its seeds are planted at a shallow depth, up to 2 cm. It is better to choose for it fertile plots soil. He loves the sun and moderate moisture.

Plant varieties such as Firefly and Paradox are also used for food or as an ingredient in folk medicines.

Various cooking recipes involve the use of purslane leaves, less often - its roots. Salads, soups and vegetable side dishes are prepared with it for meat and fish dishes, and are also used as a spice.

Many people like the taste that pickled purslane has. It is used to treat the liver and kidneys, as well as a snack for alcoholic beverages. Gather young grass. Marinade is prepared: salt, sugar are added to boiled water, allspice, Bay leaf, cloves and other spices, boil for 10 minutes. Cool and add vinegar. Arranged in jars of 0.5 l or 0.3 l, purslane is poured with marinade and hermetically sealed.

You can add purslane to other vegetable preparations, such as zucchini, cucumbers or peppers.

Purslane as a garden weed: how to remove it

There are gardeners who are more interested not in how to grow purslane, but in how to deal with it. After all, the grass spontaneously grows on their plots. She is very tenacious, getting rid of her is not so easy.

One weeding is clearly not enough. If basal buds remain after the hoe, the shoots may sprout again. Therefore, the weed is removed from the root. This must be done before the grass blooms.

Another mechanical way to remove this weed is mulching. The garden plot with it is covered with a 3-4 cm layer of hay, straw or other organic material.

Digging the soil also helps. It must be deep. The fact is that the seeds of the plant will not sprout if they are in the ground at a depth of more than 2 cm.

Herbicide is an option for effective weed control. The site is carefully weeded and treated with a chemical preparation such as "Tornado".

Grow purslane or fight it, the individual decision of the gardener. But still, before completely destroying the plant, it makes sense to evaluate its taste and medicinal properties.