The Benefits of Purslane for Treating Oral Lichen Planus

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The weed purslane appears to not only be the safest treatment available for the autoimmune disease lichen planus, but the most effective, too.

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Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

There’s an inflammatory autoimmune condition known as oral lichen planus, in which our immune system starts attacking the lining of our mouth. This is what it looks like. It’s actually not that rare. It strikes up to five percent of the population, particularly women, and about one percent of cases can turn into cancer. There’s no cure. There are just symptomatic treatments: steroids, immunosuppressants, and total glucosides of paeony. Like peony peony? Yes, medicinal properties in the root of the common garden peony. That’s neat. But are there any edible plants that may help?

There’s a plant called purslane, one of the most common weeds in the world—you can see it growing out of the cracks in the sidewalk everywhere you look, once you start looking. Its healing properties were thought to be so reliable that Roman savant Pliny the Elder advised wearing the plant as an amulet to expel all evil. I don’t know about that. What about just eating it?

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that 83 percent of those in the purslane group experienced partial or complete clinical improvement, compared to 83 percent in the placebo group who either didn’t respond or got worse. So, this simple weed appears to be clinically effective in the treatment of oral lichen planus with no side effects. In a comparison to the efficacy and safety of nine different treatments, including steroids and immunosuppressants, purslane appeared to be not only the safest but the most effective treatment available, with only good side effects––lowering triglycerides, and decreasing inflammation.

You can overdo it, though. Purslane is a high-oxalate green, with nearly half as much oxalates as spinach. So, even if you don’t tend to get kidney stones, you don’t want to eat four pounds (2 kg) of purslane at a time. I know it’s delicious, but as little as a pound and a half (0.70 kg) at a time, or even two pounds (0.90 kg) spread out over two meals, could potentially overload the kidney and cause damage

Purslane can even fight lichen planus topically. A purslane gel appeared to work as well as topical steroids, the gold standard treatment. The researchers concluded that purslane is a “magical” herb, beneficial, lacking side effects, and therefore can be a safer alternative drug in oral lichen planus treatment. But by alternative “drug,” they’re just talking about a weed that grows for free all over.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Motion graphics by Avo Media

Below is an approximation of this video’s audio content. To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video.

There’s an inflammatory autoimmune condition known as oral lichen planus, in which our immune system starts attacking the lining of our mouth. This is what it looks like. It’s actually not that rare. It strikes up to five percent of the population, particularly women, and about one percent of cases can turn into cancer. There’s no cure. There are just symptomatic treatments: steroids, immunosuppressants, and total glucosides of paeony. Like peony peony? Yes, medicinal properties in the root of the common garden peony. That’s neat. But are there any edible plants that may help?

There’s a plant called purslane, one of the most common weeds in the world—you can see it growing out of the cracks in the sidewalk everywhere you look, once you start looking. Its healing properties were thought to be so reliable that Roman savant Pliny the Elder advised wearing the plant as an amulet to expel all evil. I don’t know about that. What about just eating it?

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that 83 percent of those in the purslane group experienced partial or complete clinical improvement, compared to 83 percent in the placebo group who either didn’t respond or got worse. So, this simple weed appears to be clinically effective in the treatment of oral lichen planus with no side effects. In a comparison to the efficacy and safety of nine different treatments, including steroids and immunosuppressants, purslane appeared to be not only the safest but the most effective treatment available, with only good side effects––lowering triglycerides, and decreasing inflammation.

You can overdo it, though. Purslane is a high-oxalate green, with nearly half as much oxalates as spinach. So, even if you don’t tend to get kidney stones, you don’t want to eat four pounds (2 kg) of purslane at a time. I know it’s delicious, but as little as a pound and a half (0.70 kg) at a time, or even two pounds (0.90 kg) spread out over two meals, could potentially overload the kidney and cause damage

Purslane can even fight lichen planus topically. A purslane gel appeared to work as well as topical steroids, the gold standard treatment. The researchers concluded that purslane is a “magical” herb, beneficial, lacking side effects, and therefore can be a safer alternative drug in oral lichen planus treatment. But by alternative “drug,” they’re just talking about a weed that grows for free all over.

Please consider volunteering to help out on the site.

Motion graphics by Avo Media

Doctor's Note

Is Aloe Vera Gel the Best Treatment for Lichen Planus? Check out the video.

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