Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Portulaca oleracea (commonly known as purslane) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Chinese, Middle Eastern, and some African herbal systems. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Portulaca is considered "Ma Chi Xian" and has been historically used for its anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and hepatoprotective properties. Folk remedies sometimes utilize purslane to address liver ailments, including conditions that would now be classified as hepatitis. The rationale is based on its purported ability to "clear heat" and "remove toxins" from the body, which in TCM theory relates to liver health.

Despite this traditional foundation, the scientific evidence for Portulaca specifically treating hepatitis is limited. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that Portulaca extracts have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even mild hepatoprotective effects, but these findings are preliminary and often not directly linked to hepatitis viruses or clinically significant liver disease. There are no large-scale, high-quality clinical trials demonstrating effectiveness in human hepatitis. Thus, while the historical and ethnobotanical evidence justifies its traditional use, current scientific validation remains weak and insufficient for evidence-based clinical recommendations.

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