We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Gardening

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Shepherd's Purse?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 9,006
Share

Shepherd's purse is a Eurasian plant which grows widely all over the world. In many regions, it is treated as a weed and can in fact sometimes be invasive, but shepherd's purse also has a long history of use in herbal medicine. Preparations of this plant intended for pharmacological use can be found in health food stores and through practitioners of herbal medicine, and some people also prepare their own with wildcrafted shepherd's purse.

Known formally as Capsella bursa-pastoris, this plant has a number of colorful alternate names including lady's purse, pepper and salt, blindweed, shepherd's bag, Bourse de pasteur, rattle pouches, witches' pouches, Hirtentasche, and shepherd's scrip. Many of these names reference to the distinctive appearance of the seed pods, which do indeed resemble the purses once carried by people of all genders in medieval Europe.

This plant is a cool season annual which can produce several generations in a year if the conditions are favorable. Shepherd's purse starts as a rosette of dark green, hairy leaves which eventually produce a stalk. The plant develops creamy flowers which mature into heart-shaped dangling seed pods. As the pods dry out, they tend to rattle due to the trapped seeds inside, and when cracked open, they reveal several compartments which hold seeds.

Shepherd's purse is a member of the mustard family, and resembles some members of this plant family. Like other brassicas, it can thrive in a variety of climates, and it is very durable. It can sometimes be found growing by the side of the road in addition to being found in meadows and other natural areas.

Historically, shepherd's purse was used in the treatment of a number of conditions, with all parts of the plant being usable. Most notably, it was taken internally to treat bleeding, including uterine bleeding and intestinal bleeding. In the case of uterine bleeding, shepherd's purse appears to have a dual effect, because it acts as an astringent to stop bleeding and it promotes the contracture of the uterine muscles, helping the uterus expel blood and firm up. Shepherd's purse tea has also been prescribed for the treatment of diarrhea, and the herb can be applied topically for treatment of various skin conditions.

The pharmacological effects of this plant are not well understood. Studies do seem to suggest that it contains active ingredients which can indeed do things like stopping bleeds, but the plant is not widely used in modern medical treatment.

Share
HomeQuestionsAnswered is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.homequestionsanswered.com/what-is-shepherds-purse.htm
Copy this link
HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

HomeQuestionsAnswered, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.