Shepherd's purse (capsella bursa-pastoris)
Synopsis
Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is a small, flowering herb in the mustard family (Brassicaceae) known for its heart-shaped seed pods, which resemble tiny purses—hence the name. It grows widely across Europe, Asia, and North America and is often regarded as a common weed. However, in herbal medicine, shepherd’s purse has long been prized for its hemostatic (bleeding-staunching), astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The active constituents in shepherd’s purse include flavonoids, glucosinolates, choline, tyramine, peptides, and potassium salts. Its primary medicinal use is to stop or reduce bleeding, both internal and external. It is commonly used to address heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), postpartum hemorrhage, nosebleeds, and mild internal bleeding in the urinary tract or digestive tract. The herb also exerts mild diuretic effects and may help in treating urinary tract infections or water retention.
Topically, shepherd’s purse is used as a poultice or wash for wounds, bruises, or bleeding cuts. It is considered safe when used properly, though caution is advised during pregnancy due to its potential to influence uterine tone.
Historical Use:
Shepherd’s purse has been used medicinally since at least the time of the ancient Greeks, with Dioscorides referring to its ability to stop bleeding. In traditional European herbalism, it was considered a field remedy for everything from battlefield wounds to heavy menstrual flow. Nicholas Culpeper, the 17th-century English herbalist, classified it as a herb of Mars and praised its use in “all inward and outward bleedings.”
It was widely employed by folk healers as a styptic and a women’s herb, valued for its ability to reduce excessive menstrual bleeding and postpartum discharge. During World War I and II, when pharmaceutical supplies were limited, shepherd’s purse was reportedly used on the battlefield to staunch bleeding wounds, highlighting its traditional reputation as a natural coagulant.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), shepherd’s purse is known as Ji Cai and is used to cool the blood, stop bleeding, and treat dysentery or eye inflammation. Its cooling and astringent nature make it a valuable herb in cases of “heat” in the blood that leads to hemorrhagic symptoms.
Today, shepherd’s purse remains a staple in Western herbalism, particularly in gynecological formulas and first-aid salves. Its blend of gentle astringency, hemostatic ability, and mild diuretic action continues to make it useful in a range of conditions where bleeding or fluid imbalance is present.
Uses: Health Conditions
Amenorrhea (Traditional)
Anemia (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Bleeding (internal) (Traditional)
Cuts (Traditional)
Diarrhea (Traditional)
Dysmenorrhea (Traditional)
Edema (Traditional)
Emotional Sensitivity (Neither)
Epilepsy (Neither)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Inflammation (Traditional)
Menorrhagia (Traditional)
Menstrual Irregularity (Traditional)
Pain (general remedies for) (Traditional)
Post Partum Depression (Neither)
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for) (Traditional)
Urinary Tract Infections (Traditional)
Wounds and Sores (Traditional)
Body Systems
Arteries (Traditional)
Bladder (Traditional)
Blood (Traditional)
Capillaries (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Female Reproductive System (Traditional)
Gums (Traditional)
Heart (Traditional)
Kidneys (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Lungs (Traditional)
Reproductive System (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)
Urinary System (Traditional)
Uterus (Traditional)
Veins (Traditional)