I always laugh when I see Shepherd’s Purse for the first time (Capsella bursa pastoris) Every season. I view this plant as a hopeful sign of spring (even though it springs up as early as January where I live in Southern California).
Introduction to Capsella bursa pastoris
To the untrained eye, this delicate plant may look like any garden weed, but once you meet it, it is impossible not to be enraptured by its delicate beauty. Shepherd’s Purse is tall and thin with heart-shaped seed pods up and down the stem. It gets its name because these seed pods also resemble the small purses that shepherds used to carry.
Shepherd’s Purse is native to the Mediterranean region, but can be found worldwide. I saw it being called a true ‘global citizen’, which I like. Shepherd’s Purse grows just about anywhere, including a patch of land or a city sidewalk, and it is one of my favorite plants to point out on an urban herb walk. It is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) – a family distinguished by cross-shaped flowers and usually a warming, peppery or spicy flavor profile.
The aerial parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine and are often found as a tincture, tea or ointment. However, the mild, peppery flavor makes Shepherd’s Purse a tasty addition to salads and other dishes, where it can enrich a meal with its broad profile of vitamins and minerals.
Chemistry and benefits
Some of the key compounds in Shepherd’s Purse are flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids related to its major actions. When infused, this prolific weed plays a role in supporting a wide range of health conditions…
Healthy tissues: Shepherd’s Purse is an astringent herb that supports healthy tissue conditions. It can play an important role in supporting blood vessel function and wound repair.
Kidney/bladder health: Shepherd’s Purse has a diuretic effect and supports the fluid balance in the body. It is often used to support kidney and bladder health and promotes healthy inflammatory balance in these body systems. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is said to support the stagnation of kidney qi.
Women’s health: Shepherd’s Purse may play a specific role in women’s health by helping to reduce congestion and moderate menstrual flow when bleeding is heavier than normal or when spotting occurs between cycles. Additionally, trained midwives often have a Shepherd’s Purse in their toolbox to support certain phases of labor and postpartum.
Power supply: Shepherd’s Purse has a rich vitamin and nutritional profile that supports cellular health, immune strength and free radical scavengers. Harvesting wild Shepherd’s Purse in the spring is a great way to improve the nutrient density of your food and use the warming nature of this plant to aid digestion and dispel winter stagnation. Just make sure you harvest in an area without pollution or soil contamination!
Conclusion
Shepherd’s Purse may not be a plant you often use in everyday life, but I hope you get the chance to encounter this beautiful weed in the wild and keep it in mind for the important role it can play in our diet , in a herbal materia medica. and in ceremony.
She is a plant that can unite us with the people around the world who have embraced her as part of their cultural rituals. In China, Shepherd’s Purse is believed to symbolize wealth and is given as a gift during Chinese New Year. How appropriate for this Year of the Dragon – another symbol of good luck!
At WishGarden you’ll find Shepherd’s Purse as a single herbal tincture and in our Flow Stopper and Kidney Strength formulas.
Always consult a healthcare professional before using any new plant or herbal medicine, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications. Shepherd’s Purse is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It is also best to avoid any consistent use of this plant while trying to conceive.
Jamie Cotter is a herbalist, health coach and head of education for WishGarden Herbs. She is trained as a yoga teacher and doula and enjoys supporting people on their wellness journey.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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