Purslane is an edible succulent particularly high in omega 3 alpha linolenic acid, ascorbic acid, tocopherols, and unique alkaloid antioxidants.
Aqueous extracts have been shown to help restore filaggrin and tight junction related barrier proteins and reduce water loss in models of disrupted skin barrier, and a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled human clinical trial found purslane meaningfully helped mild to moderate chronic hand eczema, making it one of the better human trial supported botanicals in this dictionary.
Sample sizes in the available human trials are still modest, so results should be considered promising rather than definitively settled.
Purslane Extract References
Aqueous extracts of Portulaca oleracea L alleviate atopic dermatitis by restoring skin barrier function, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025
Efficacy and safety of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) for mild to moderate chronic hand eczema, a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial, 2023
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