Shepherd's Purse - Capsella burs-pastoris

Detailed Description

Even in the times of Hippocrates, Shepherd's Purse was administered to help with bleeding conditions.

Botanical Info

Shepherd's Purse (Capsella burs-pastoris) is an unassuming perennial herb that grows up to 50 cm in height. Its stem is often branched. The plant features a basal rosette made up of pinnately lobed or dissected leaves, while the upper leaves are sessile (stem-attached), entire, lance-shaped, and hairy. The small white flowers (2.5-5.0 mm) are petal-less, arranged in terminal clusters, and appear from February to October. Interestingly, in mild winters, the plant can flower continuously and maintain its blooms. The characteristic fruit is a pouch-like, non-winged capsule containing numerous triangular, elongated seeds.

Origin and Distribution

Shepherd's Purse is now widespread throughout the temperate regions of almost every continent. It is very common in lowlands (sometimes considered a weed), and less frequent at higher elevations. Originally, it was found in the Mediterranean and Asia Minor (though more likely Europe), from where it spread deeper into Europe, Asia, Africa, and eventually the Americas, likely aided by human movement and its own persistent nature.

Usage / Dosage

Shepherd's Purse is a medicinal herb, though it is often regarded as a weed. The aerial parts are collected from wild or cultivated plants for food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, or medicinal purposes. In Shanghai and surrounding provinces, it is a frequent seasoning for Chinese foods—roasted into rice cakes or used as filling for classic Chinese dumplings and wontons. In Japan, the herb is a traditional ingredient in the spring festival 'Nanakusa-no-sekku.' In South Korea, known as naengi, the roots are added to a signature dish called 'namul.'

Some compounds in Shepherd's Purse have demonstrated coagulation-promoting effects. These substances also appear to stimulate intestinal motility (the whole gastrointestinal tract) and support healthy blood circulation. When taken internally, the herb may moderately lower blood pressure, help reduce neurodegenerative troubles in adolescence, and ease certain menopausal symptoms. Used externally, Shepherd's Purse is said to stop bleeding (from the nose, uterus, or during heavy menstruation, and in some urogenital conditions), accelerate the healing of wounds, bruises, swelling, tendon inflammation, and rashes. Numerous national health agencies recognize its hemostatic effects and note that it can enhance menstrual comfort and improve circulatory parameters.

The healing properties of Shepherd’s Purse’s aerial parts are supported by several preclinical studies, demonstrating antibleeding and antithrombin effects, as well as support for wound healing and antioxidant activity. Antioxidant analyses, both in vitro and in around four research papers, have highlighted the plant’s potent effects by methods such as DPPH, superoxide, nitric oxide, peroxynitrite, LDL, and monounsaturated free radical scavenging. Inhibitory effects on oxidative enzymes—superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase—were also measured.

Some preclinical studies observed in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects through suppression of tumor cell growth and spread. Shepherd’s Purse contains omega-6 fatty acids (such as linoleic acid) which, according to the World Health Organization, may help delay risks and prevent coronary and cardiovascular illnesses. The plant’s phytosterols partially inhibit cholesterol reabsorption from bile.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Benefits

In vitro analysis confirmed antibacterial effects of Shepherd’s Purse extract against Gram-positive (more than Gram-negative) bacteria. Researchers recommend the herb for immunocompromised patients, citing antibacterial action against specific pathogens inciting urinary tract infections and endocarditis. Other studies isolated peptides with antibacterial and antifungal properties, and flavonoid-O-glycosides with antioxidant effects.

Traditional Uses

Austrian folk medicine administers the herb as tea or tincture for cardiovascular disorders, headaches, diarrhea, hemostasis, gynecological problems, and as salves for various skin conditions. Poultices or washes made from the plant are popular for treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It may be used for difficult bleeding during childbirth, blood in urine, stools, or vomit. Some healers recommend it for cystitis, diarrhea, or digestive tract issues. In Asian countries, the herb is used as mouthwash for sore throat or consumed for urinary tract inflammation. Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes various Shepherd’s Purse extracts to "cool the blood" or treat dysentery, high blood pressure, and excessive bleeding after childbirth. It can be included in multi-herb eyesight-enhancing preparations.

Active Compounds

Shepherd's Purse tops contain vitamin A, choline, acetylcholine, tyramine, fumaric, oxalic, malic, glutamic, citric, and ascorbic acids, proteins, and various amino acids (threonine, isoleucine, asparagine, tryptophan), linoleic acid, three omega polyunsaturated fatty acids (heptadecanoic, palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids), betaine, saponins, alkaloids (calystegine), tannin phenols, the flavonoid glycoside diosmin, flavonoids (quercetin glycoside, kaempferol rutinoside, quercetin, kaempferol), sterols (beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmastaone, cholesterol, stigmasterol, ergostaone, lupeol, and others), sulfur glucosinolates, and minerals (notably nitrogen).

Traditional Dosage

The aerial parts of the herb can be prepared by steeping, boiling, extracting from fresh or dried plant material, or as a tincture. For bleeding, drink 1 tablespoon of a strong decoction 2–4 times daily; for other uses, about 400 ml decoction per day in divided doses or every other day in small amounts. To make tea, pour about 250 ml of boiling water over 2–3 teaspoons of dried Shepherd’s Purse and steep for up to 10 minutes. Extracts are typically dosed at 10–30 drops, 2–3 times daily, depending on the preparation.