• The herb portulaca (full name portulaca oleracea purslane) is also known as wild portulaca or pigweed. It is found all over the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe. Portulaca is full of vitamins and minerals, and is sometimes added to salads. It also can be used as an alternative health treatment for many conditions and skin problems.
  
  

Healing Cuts and Boils

• A topical poultice of portulaca can help treat cuts and boils.sports injury image by Sirena Designs from Fotolia.com
  
  One of the benefits of portulaca on the skin is that it has a soothing effect, making it a useful treatment for inflammatory skin injuries, such as boils and cuts. A topical poultice, made by mashing the plant in a pestle and mortar, applied to the injured area should provide immediate relief. In the Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism, a review of portulaca stated that it accelerates the healing process of the wound by decreasing its surface area and improving the skin's elasticity.
  
  

Treating Skin Conditions

• Make a skin treatment paste from portulaca by using a pestle and mortar.pestle and mortar with garlic image by Strike Designs from Fotolia.com
  
  Portulaca can also be used to help treat the skin conditions dermatitis and psoriasis. Make a paste by mashing the plant and mixing it with slippery elm powder (from the bark of the slippery elm tree). The mixture should be three parts of the portulaca plant to one part of slippery elm powder. Applying this to the affected area should calm the skin. Portulaca extract is equally beneficial; it has strong anti-irritant properties and soothes sensitive, itchy skin.
  
  

Anti-Aging Properties

• Many herbal skin creams contain portulaca.natural skin care elements image by rgbspace from Fotolia.com
  
  As portulaca is a natural source of vitamins A, C and E, and the co-enzyme Q10, it is an excellent antioxidant, fighting premature aging and protecting the skin from environmental damage. Portulaca extract is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoids. These benefits of the herb for both internal and external use can manifest themselves in clearer, healthier skin. Many skin products--including skin creams and lotion, deodorant, facial masks and toners--contain extract of portulaca.