Can diabetes be treated by drinking water boiled with Portulaca oleracea?

Jul 09, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

My father has diabetes. A colleague mentioned to me that boiling Portulaca oleracea (purslane) and drinking the water is beneficial for diabetes. Can people with diabetes drink water boiled with Portulaca oleracea?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Diabetic patients can drink water boiled with Portulaca oleracea (purslane), but should pay attention to the following points: 1. **Auxiliary hypoglycemic effect**: Purslane contains components such as norepinephrine. Drinking an appropriate amount of water boiled with purslane may promote insulin secretion from pancreatic cells and thus has a certain auxiliary role in regulating blood glucose levels. Especially for diabetic patients with a damp-heat body constitution, purslane may offer a better auxiliary hypoglycemic effect. 2. **Dosage and effectiveness**: The hypoglycemic effect of purslane is difficult to standardize and control due to variations in dosage, making it challenging to adjust the amount consumed. Moreover, diabetes is a chronic condition requiring long-term management rather than a curable disease, and drinking purslane water can only serve as an auxiliary method, not a primary treatment. 3. **Precautions for consumption**: As a wild vegetable, purslane is seasonal and should not be consumed daily. Additionally, because it has a cold and cooling nature, individuals with weak spleen and stomach function should consume it cautiously. Furthermore, purslane should not be consumed together with certain medications or foods to avoid adverse reactions.