Purslane in Arabic — Meaning and Medicinal Value

Reading time: 8 minutes

🌿 Introduction

Purslane, known scientifically as Portulaca oleracea L., is a resilient succulent plant that thrives in hot, arid climates and is widely recognized across the Middle East. In Arabic, purslane is commonly called بقلة الحمقاء (baqlah al-ḥamqāʼ) or رجلة (rijlah). These names reveal the plant’s long-standing cultural and linguistic history in Arabic-speaking regions. Despite being considered a weed in many places, purslane has been cultivated and used medicinally for centuries due to its nutritional richness and healing potential.

🏺 Meaning and Etymology in Arabic

The Arabic term بقلة الحمقاء translates literally to “the foolish herb” or “the silly plant.” This peculiar name, rooted in pre-Islamic and medieval botanical texts, comes from the observation that its leaves seem to open and close unpredictably with sunlight. Another common name, البقلة المباركة (“the blessed herb”), reflects its dual reputation—sometimes humble, sometimes revered. In daily Arabic, رجلة (rijlah or rigla) is the most widespread name, used in regional cuisines across Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, and Iraq. The plant appears in traditional herbal texts of the Arab world as both a cooling food and a curative medicine.

💧 Nutritional Composition

Modern research confirms the traditional Arab appreciation for purslane’s vitality. Studies show that purslane contains higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids (particularly alpha-linolenic acid) than most leafy vegetables. It also provides abundant vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and iron. The combination of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids contributes to its anti-aging, cardiovascular, and cognitive benefits. Its high mucilage content also gives it a soothing quality, beneficial for the digestive system and the skin.

🌿 Medicinal and Therapeutic Value

In both traditional Arabic and modern phytotherapy, purslane is praised for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. Classical Arabic physicians like Ibn Sina (Avicenna) described purslane as a cooling and moistening plant—useful for fevers, thirst, and burns. Contemporary pharmacological studies affirm its bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, alkaloids, and omega-3s, which help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation. Extracts of Portulaca oleracea have shown effectiveness in reducing blood glucose levels, protecting liver tissue, and moderating lipid profiles in diabetic patients.

🍽️ Purslane in Arabic Cuisine and Folk Practice

Beyond medicine, purslane is a beloved ingredient in Middle Eastern kitchens. Known as رجلة (rijlah), it features in the Lebanese salad fattoush and Syrian or Egyptian stews where its slightly tangy flavor complements yogurt, garlic, and olive oil. In folk practice, purslane leaves are crushed and applied topically to soothe insect bites, rashes, and skin inflammation. The plant’s cooling energy is believed to balance the body’s heat in the desert climate, aligning with Unani and Greco-Arabic medical theories.

🌞 Cultural and Linguistic Legacy

The dual identity of purslane—as both “foolish” and “blessed”—captures the paradoxical beauty of many plants in Arabic folklore. It reminds us that wisdom often hides in simplicity. Once dismissed as a wild weed, purslane is now celebrated globally as a superfood. Its rediscovery bridges traditional Arabic herbal wisdom with modern nutritional science.

🌱 Conclusion

Purslane’s Arabic legacy reveals more than a name—it tells the story of a plant that transcends eras and paradigms. From the “foolish herb” of folklore to a scientifically recognized powerhouse of nutrition, Portulaca oleracea embodies resilience and renewal. Whether growing wild in ancient deserts or cultivated as microgreens in today’s kitchens, purslane continues to nourish both body and culture.

📚 Sources

Al-Maany Dictionary. (n.d.). بقلة الحمقاء (baqlah al-ḥamqāʼ) [The foolish herb]. Al-Maany Arabic–English Dictionary. Retrieved October 25, 2025, from https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%85%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A1/

Liu, L., Wang, C., Zhang, H., & Qin, L. (2019). A pharmacological review on Portulaca oleracea L.: Focusing on anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immuno-modulatory, and antitumor activities. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10, 1–13. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6461301/

Uddin, M. K., Rahman, A., & Zaman, S. (2015). Portulaca oleracea Linn: A global panacea with ethnomedicinal and pharmacological potential. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 175, 9-20. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285933558

University of Florida IFAS Extension. (2021). HS1484: Purslane: The reigning champion of vitamins A and E among vegetables and a potential crop for home gardens. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1484

International Journal of Life Science and Pharma Research. (2023). Purslane: A nutritional powerhouse and multifunctional medicinal herb with extensive pharmacological applications. IJLPR, 13(2), 45-56. https://www.ijlpr.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1980