Shepherd's Purse(Capsella bursa-pastoris)
Other Names:
None known
Range:
Family:
Brassicaceae – Mustard family
Growth Type:
A weedy herbaceous annual
Height:
Can grow up to a foot and a half tall
Leaves:
The deeply lobed leaves grow in a basal rosette. Some might mistake them for that of dandelion, but that is only at first glance. The teeth of dandelion leaves are sharp and angled back toward the base of the leaf, while the lobes of shepherd's purse are opposite and point out from the stem. The leaves which grow from the stem are lanced shaped, arranged alternately, and partly grasping.
Stem/Trunk:
The single erect stem grows from the center of the plant.
Root:
Thin taproot
Flower Season:
Late spring to early summer. However, depending upon climate, this plant can flower anytime throughout the year.
Flower Appearance:
Loose racemes of small (approximately 1/10 in across), white, four petaled, 6 stamened flowers.
Seed/Fruit:
The heart shaped seed pods, reminiscent of a purse, which is where the plant received it's common name, appear shortly after the flowers.
Miscellaneous characteristics:
Related to the the same plant family as broccoli, cabbage, and mustard, Shepherd's Purse has been used all over the world as a food source for millennia. C bursa-pastoris is native to eastern Europe and Asia minor. It has become naturalized just about everywhere in the world.
Habitat:
Disturbed soil, in un-mowed meadows and lawns, and along roadsides and trails.
Parts Used:
Food: Young Leaves, Seed Pods
Medicine: Whole plant
Culinary Uses:
Add young leaves to salads, or use as a cooked green. Older leaves become too bitter for most people to tolerate. The seeds are said to have a peppery taste, and can be added to food as a peppery seasoning, but I have not tried this.
The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.
Energetics
Taste: Bitter
Thermal: Neutral
Humidity: Drying
Medicinal Uses:
Prior to World War I, it was used in mainstream medical practice in Britain and The United States as a remedy for uterine bleeding. C. bursa-pastoris today is considered by many herbalists to be one of the best herbs for stopping bleeding of any kind, both internally, and externally. Studies have shown it to be effective in the treatment of internal bleeding of the stomach, lungs, kidneys, and urinary tract It is a popular ingredient in many topical herbal preparations used to treat minor cuts and scrapes. It is often given to aid women who suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding and other uterine problems. Shepherd's purse has been shown to be a strong uterine contractor, and as such should not be used by pregnant women except during delivery. There is historic evidence that this plant was used by women to induce abortion via miscarriage.
Cautions According To WebMD
Contra-Indications
None Known
Possible Side Effects:
None Known
Possible Interactions:
None Known
Medicinal Actions:
Antihemorrhagic,
Antipyretic,
Antiseptic,
Emmenagogue,
Haemostatic,
Oxytocic,
Uterine-Tonic
Herbal Preparations For Capsella bursa-pastoris
Tea
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Fresh or recent dried
Place 2 tsp of fresh chopped plant material, or 1 tsp of dried plant material in a large mug. Pour almost boiling water over the leaves. Steep for 20 minutes. Strain to remove sediment.
Dosage: 1 mug as needed
Infusion
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Fresh or recently dried
Place 2 ounces of fresh, or 1 ounce of dried chopped plant material into a quart mason jar, and fill the jar with almost boiling water. Cover the jar, place it in a sunny location, and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours or overnight. If refrigerated, the infusion will last a couple of days.
Dosage: 2-4 oz As Needed
Tincture
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Fresh
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:2
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Fill the jar to the neck with chopped fresh leaves, then pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 20-60 drops up to three times daily
Tincture
Part Used: Whole plant
Plant State: Recently Dried
Alcohol Percentage: 50%
Plant to Alcohol Ratio: 1:5
Label a quart mason jar with the plant name, the part of the plant used, the percentage of alcohol used, and the date the tincture was started.
Place 150 grams of dried plant material into a quart mason jar. Now pour in 750 ml of 100 proof vodka, or 500 ml of 150 proof Everclear and 250 ml of water. Next pour the contents of the jar into a blender and blend until all of the plant material is thoroughly chopped into fine pieces and incorporated into the menstrum. This will increase the surface area and provide better leaching of the plant constituents. As a matter of fact, this method works so well that, if necessary, the tincture can be used in as little as 7 days. Now pour the contents of the blender back into the jar, being careful to scrape every last bit of goodness from the blender. Place a lid on the mason jar, shake it well, and place the jar in a dark cupboard. Once a day for the first 7 days, take the jar out of the cupboard and shake it well. Place the jar back into the cupboard, and leave it soak for another 3 weeks. After the tincture has soaked for 30 days, remove it from the cupboard and strain out the spent plant material. Your tincture will remain viable for 2-3 years.
Dosage: 20-60 drops up to three times daily
