https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00044-025-03467-5Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane, pigweed), a fleshy and drought-tolerant member of the Portulacaceae family, is globally distributed across Asia, Europe, China, the Mediterranean, Japan, the United States, Africa, and Australia. Traditionally consumed as a leafy vegetable in soups, salads, pickles, and stews, it is nutritionally rich, particularly in omega-3 fatty acids essential for growth, development, and disease prevention. The plant contains diverse bioactive metabolites, including flavonoids, carotenoids, glycosides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, which contribute to its wide pharmacological spectrum of antioxidant, cardioprotective, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anticoagulant, hypoglycemic, and antimicrobial activities. Recent studies further highlight its potential in nanotechnology, where P. oleracea extracts serve as biogenic agents for metallic nanoparticle synthesis with applications in photocatalysis and biomedicine. This review synthesizes current evidence on its phytochemistry and pharmacological properties, bridging traditional uses with modern biomedical applications.