Shepherd's Purse Herb and Powder Profile
Also known as
Capsella-bursa-pastoris, Lady's Purse, Mother's Heart, Shepherd's Bog, Case weed, Pick Pocket, Witches pouch
Introduction
Shepherd's purse is a temperate zone weed in the mustard family, the same as cabbage, broccoli, and watercress. It is a biennial with an erect stem emerging from a rosette of leaves at its base. It bears four-petalled white flowers that produce heart or purse shaped seedpods. Its name comes from its resemblance to a shepards pouch in the middle ages. All of the aboveground parts of the plant are used in herbal medicines. During the nineteenth century, shepherd's purse was used by doctors as the principal remedy for uterine bleeding, especially when ergot and goldenseal were not available. Traditional Chinese Medicine adds shepherd's purse to formulas to "brighten vision," to correct blurriness and spots before the eyes. In southern Asia it has been used for swelling and urinary tract infections. The German E Commission has reported that it can be used internally formenorrhagia, and metrorrhagia, and topically for nose bleeds and superficial bleeding skin injuries. But still very little research has been done on the side effects and drug interactions.
Constituents
Ascorbic acid, beta-sitosterol, choline, citric acid, diosmin, histamine, inositol, rutin, tannic acid, tannins.
Parts Used
Seedpods, crushed before making tea.
Typical Preparations
Teas, tinctures and encapsulations.
Summary
Shepherd's purse contains a protein that acts in the same way in the body as the hormone oxytocin, constricting the smooth muscles that support and surround blood vessels, especially those in the uterus. Other chemicals in the herb may accelerate clotting. Still other compounds in the herb help the uterus contact, explaining the long-time use of the herb to help the womb return to normal size after childbirth. Extracts of shepherd's purse are used as an ingredient in many drugs and teas used to treat Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS. Shepherd's purse is also a mild diuretic, providing potassium to replace the potassium lost through increased urination.
Precautions
Use of shepherd's purse to treat spotting during pregnancy is not recommended, since the herb can cause uterine contraction. If bleeding treated by the herb persists for more than tree days, consult a qualified healthcare practitioner. Not recommended if you have severe liver or kidney disease.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
