Shepherd's Purse
Other Names:Blind Weed, Bolsa del Pastor, Bolsa-de-Pastor, Bourse à Berger, Bourse-à-Pasteur, Bourse de Capucin, Boursette, Bursae Pastoris Herba, Capsella, Capselle, Capselle a Pasteur, Capselle Bourse-à-Pasteur, Capsella bursa-pastoris, Caseweed, Cocowort, Corne de Lion, Erva-Do-Bom-Pastor, Hirtentaschel, Lady's Purse, Molette de Berger, Mother's-Heart, Moutarde Sauvage, Naeng-i, Pepper-And-Salt, Pick-Pocket, Poor Man's Parmacettie, Rattle Pouches, Sanguinary, Shepherd's Heart, Shepherd's Scrip, Shepherd's Sprout, Shovelweed, St. James' Weed, Tabouret, Tabouret des Champs, Thlaspi, Thlaspi Bourse à Pasteur, Thlaspi bursa-pastoris, Toywort, Witches' Pouches, Zurron de Pastor, Herderstasje, Hirtentäschel
Shepherd's purse is a flowering plant found in the mustard family. Native to parts of Asia and Eastern Europe. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.
Special Precautions of Shepherd's Purse
- Shepherd's purse seems to be safe when taken by mouth or applied to the skin in small amounts. It can cause drowsiness, changes in blood pressure, thyroid function changes, and heart palpitations.
- An overdose of shepherd's purse might cause paralysis, breathing difficulty, and death.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Shepherd's purse is UNSAFE when taken by mouth or applied to the skin during pregnancy. It might cause the uterus to contract or start menstruation, resulting in miscarriage.
- Not enough is known about the safety of using shepherd's purse during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- Heart conditions: Shepherd's purse might interfere with treatment for heart conditions. It’s best to avoid using shepherd's purse if you have a heart condition.
- Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis): Shepherd's purse contains chemical compounds called oxalates, which can form kidney stones. If you have had kidney stones in the past, it’s best to avoid using shepherd's purse.
- Surgery: Shepherd's purse can affect the central nervous system. There is a concern that it might slow down the central nervous system’s activity too much when combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. Stop using shepherd's purse at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
- Thyroid conditions: Shepherd's purse might interfere with treatment for thyroid conditions. It’s best to avoid using shepherd's purse if you have a thyroid condition.
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with SHEPHERD'S PURSE
- Thyroid hormone interacts with SHEPHERD'S PURSE
Benefits and uses of Shepherd's Purse are
Shepherd's purse might decrease bleeding, stimulate muscles, and increase uterine contractions.
- Headache.
- Heart problems.
- Premenstrual complaints.
- Diarrhea.
- bladder infections
- bleeding disorders (including abnormally heavy periods)
- headache
- kidney disease
- low blood pressure
- menstrual cramps
- mild heart failure
- to stimulate circulation and increase the flow of urine.
- When applied directly to the skin, it's used to promote healing from wounds and burns and to treat eczema.
- Several studies published in the 1960s and 1970s indicate that shepherd's purse may reduce inflammation, protect against ulcers, and slow the growth of tumors. However, there is a lack of more recent research on shepherd's purse and its potential health benefits.
