Sept 8th 2025
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 For the past 25 years, I’ve had the opportunity to travel thousands of miles around the world to visit and observe the last remaining native cultures still in existence. And learn all about traditional healing herbs and medicinal plants. Sadly, in the United States, these restorative plants don’t get the respect they deserve. Around the globe, about 80% of people use herbal remedies as a primary source of their healthcare. In the U.S., only 19% of adults used an herb to treat a medical illness within the past year, according to a survey published by the National Institutes of Health. It boils down to one thing: Big Pharma is firmly in control of your health care with its mass production of synthetic drugs. Because that’s where the big money is. You see, Big Pharma can’t get patents on herbs, plants, or other natural remedies. So they can’t profit from them. But at my clinic, medicinal plants and herbs are key to treating my patients. In fact, in the early days of my medical practice, I developed some highly therapeutic and medicinal herbal remedies in an apothecary garden I kept behind my first clinic. I called it my healing garden.  Studies show this common garden “weed” is just as effective as metformin when it comes to treating diabetes.I would grind the plants and extracts myself to treat my patients with my own homegrown, herbal formulas.And as it turns out, one of the “weeds” my team and I pulled out to make more room for the healing herbs was, in fact, a healing herb itself! It’s called purslane, and studies show it may be just as effective as Big Pharma’s metformin when it comes to treating diabetes. This healing plant is well known worldwide for its high content of omega-3 fatty acids… minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, and potassium… antioxidants like glutathione and carotenoids… vitamins A, B, C, and E, and CoQ10. All of that nutrition translates into real health benefits. But for diabetes patients, purslane is a powerhouse superfood. It’s been used for hundreds of years as a natural remedy to treat the disease. And recent clinical trials prove it works. In one study, diabetics who took 180 mg of an extract of purslane increased their insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake into their cells. They also improved their hemoglobin A1c by an average of 44%.1 In fact, purslane has proven to work as well as metformin. In a second study of 30 diabetics, half of them took 1,500 mg per day of the drug. The other half ate 5 grams of purslane seeds twice a day. After eight weeks, purslane reduced triglycerides, blood sugar levels, insulin, and weight just as well as metformin.2 In another randomized trial, 48 people with type 2 diabetes ate either plain yogurt or yogurt with 10 grams of purslane seeds every day. Results showed that after eating purslane for five weeks, the patients reduced their blood pressure, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose levels. They also lost weight.3 In addition to lowering blood sugar levels and enhancing insulin sensitivity, purslane:Has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of diabetes. Purslane has high levels of alpha-linolenic acid. ALA can be converted into DHA, which reduces the production of inflammatory molecules like cytokines.4 Acts as an antioxidant. And antioxidants reduce oxidative stress – a factor involved in diabetes complications. Helps with weight management. Some studies show that purslane can help reduce body weight and BMI. Both are important factors in managing type 2 diabetes.5 Is a rich source of dietary fiber. Purslane is a rich source of crude fiber. This helps slow down carbohydrate absorption, helping to prevent rapid increases in blood glucose.6 Lowers blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure is crucial for diabetics since it reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage.7Simple Steps to Add Purslane to Your DietPurslane hasn’t made it yet into most supermarkets. But it’s beginning to show up at farmers’ markets. Here are a few ways to get more of this healing herb:Cook with the leaves. Some people compare purslane to spinach or watercress. Feel free to substitute wherever you use these plants. I like eating it raw in salads. It has a crunchy texture with a salty-citrusy flavor. Its punchy tang makes it fun to cook with – and it makes a flavorful addition to soups, stews, and stir-fries. Eat the seeds. Every part of the plant is edible. Look for organic seeds and sprinkle them on yogurt or add them to a smoothie. Take a supplement. I recommend taking up to 500 mg of purslane extract daily in capsule form. If you choose to take it as a powder, take 2 to 3 grams a day. Of course, it’s easy to grow your own purslane. Sow the organic seeds in well-drained soil after the last frost. Grow in full sun (this helps you avoid oxalates) and don’t overwater. Harvest the leaves in six to eight weeks.To Your Good Health,  Al Sears, MD, CNSReferences:Wainstein J, et al. “Purslane extract and glucose homeostasis in adults with type 2 diabetes: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety.” J Med Food. 2016;19(2):133-40.El-Sayed MI. “Effects of Portulaca oleracea L. seeds in treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus patients as adjunctive and alternative therapy.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2011;137(1):643-51.Esmaillzadeh A, et al. “The effect of purslane seeds on glycemic status and lipid profiles of persons with type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled cross-over clinical trial.” J Res Med Sci. 2015;20(1):47-53.Cambiaggi L, et al. “The role of α-linolenic acid and its oxylipins in human cardiovascular diseases.”Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Mar 24;24(7):6110.Zhang H. “Portulaca oleracea: A review of phytochemistry and pharmacological effects.” BioMed Res Int. 2015;2015:1-11.Heidarzadeh S, et al. “Purslane Effect on GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptor in type 2 diabetes.” Electron Physician. 2013 Feb 1;5(1):582–587.Wainstein J , et al. “Purslane extract and glucose homeostasis in adults with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of efficacy and safety.” J Med Food. 2016 Feb;19(2):133-40.View this email in your browser alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com Preferences | Unsubscribe11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States  |
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