History
Widely used in East Mediterranean countries, archaeobotanical finds are common at many prehistoric sites. In historic contexts, seeds have been retrieved from a protogeometric layer in Kastanas, as well as from the Samian Heraion dating to seventh century B.C. In the fourth century B.C., Theophrastus names purslane, andrákhne (ἀνδράχνη), as one of the several summer pot herbs that must be sown in April (H.P 7.12). As portulaca it figures in the long list of comestibles enjoyed by the Milanese given by Bonvesin de la Riva in his "Marvels of Milan" (1288).
In antiquity, its healing properties were thought so reliable that Pliny advised wearing the plant as an amulet to expel all evil (Natural History 20.120).
Purslane is one of the seven herbs used in the symbolic dish served at the nanakusa-no-sekku (七草の節句), the traditional Japanese new year ritual.
A common plant in parts of India, purslane is known as Sanhti, Punarva, or Kulfa.
Read more about this topic: Portulaca Oleracea
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