Shepherd's purse in Herbalist: Property of the shepherd's purse

Scientific name

Capsella bursa-pastoris L.

Family

Cruciferae

Origin

The shepherd's purse is among the most common weeds in the Italian countryside.

Synonyms

Shepherd's bags.

Parts Used

The drug consists of the aerial parts collected in June-July.

Chemical constituents

• Flavonoids (diosmin, quercetin, hesperidin);
• Tannins;
• Amine (choline and acetylcholine);
• Amino acids (especially proline);
• Mineral salts;
• Vitamin K;
• Saponins with cardenolide activity;
• Alkaloids;
• Mucilage;
• Triterpenes;
• Sulfur compounds.

Shepherd's purse in herbal medicine: Property of the shepherd's purse

Shepherd's purse is used in folk medicine as a hemostatic, vasoconstrictor and antihemorrhagic. It also exhibits uterine, hypotensive and antihemorrhoidal tonic properties.
Shepherd's purse is indicated in the treatment of uterine bleeding, metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Not surprisingly, in popular tradition, the shepherd's purse was used after childbirth and in too abundant menstruation.