Do you know the most powerful plant in the world?… Read more

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  • 1 bunch of fresh purslane (make sure to pick it from a safe garden free of chemical pesticides, or simply buy it at your local market).

  • Purified water.

  • 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or vegetable disinfectant.

  • The juice of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of sea salt (for seasoning).

Step-by-step preparation:

  1. Cut off the hardest and thickest stems, keeping mainly the fleshy leaves and the most tender stems.

  2. Wash the purslane thoroughly under running water to remove any remaining dirt.

  3. Submerge them in a bowl with purified water and the tablespoon of vinegar for 10 minutes to disinfect them completely. Rinse again.

  4. Key preventative step:  Although many people eat it raw, we suggest blanching it. Bring water to a boil in a pot, submerge the purslane for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove and drain it. This brief boil destroys much of the oxalic acid present in the plant, making it much safer for your urinary tract.

  5. Place the drained purslane in a bowl, add a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Stir well.

How to eat it and how to incorporate it into your routine:  Purslane has a slightly acidic and salty flavor that's very refreshing. You can enjoy it as a fresh salad alongside chicken breasts or fish, or add blanched purslane to stews, green sauces, and soups. Consuming it once or twice a week is ideal for giving your body a natural boost of Omega-3 and minerals without disrupting your calorie intake.

Important Precautions (Must-Read):  Despite being a superfood, purslane comes with a very clear medical warning: it is extremely high in  oxalic acid  (even higher than spinach). If you have a medical history of  calcium oxalate kidney stones , you should avoid consuming it, as it could trigger the formation of new stones. Boiling the plant reduces oxalates, but does not eliminate them completely.

Also, if you decide to collect it from the street, be extremely careful; never consume plants growing near busy roads or industrial areas, as purslane readily absorbs heavy metals and toxins from car exhaust. Finally, if you have pets at home, keep the raw plant out of their reach, as ingesting it in large quantities can be toxic to dogs and cats.

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