Food Therapy for TBI

Most neurologists agree that the omega acids in fish oil are beneficial to the brain. Therefore, I would recommend that all TBI victims try to include that in their everyday supplements. However, there is also a new and more organic option available, Purslane.

Purslane is a common succulent vine that grows plentifully and easily in most climates. Astonishingly, purslane has an extraordinarily high level of omega 3 acids, second only to eating fish. All this in a tasty plant. Purslane can be purchased in nurseries, grown in pots, and can be grown easily in one’s backyard.

I would recommend for anyone who has suffered a TBI to plant and consume as much purslane as possible on a daily basis. Many recipes for purslane can be found on the internet. It is excellent in salads, stir-fries, or on sandwiches.
People that live near a beach or a man-grown swamp can enjoy “Sea Purslane,” which actually picks up a salty flavor from the ocean. A pre-salted snack! Purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant. Research showed that it contains .01mg/g of EPA, an important omega-3 acid found mostly in fish, some algae and flax seeds, one cup of fresh purslane leaves contains 300 to 400 mg of alpha-linolenics, 90mg of calcium, 561 mg of potassium and lots of vitamin A.

Purslane Collected, Growing at the Seashore. Eaten in a Fish Sandwich. Delicious!

Purslane is commonly eaten in most parts of the world outside of the United States, especially in Greece, the mid-east, Asia and Mexico. It is also used in traditional Chinese medicine – used to treat insect or snake bites, sores, pain from bee stings, diarrhea, hemorrhoids and intestinal bleeding.

Purslane is an excellent companion plant, which provides ground cover in a humid micro-climate for nearby plants. Plant some now. Let us know your results.