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Alternative Names: Shepherd's Bag; Shepherd's Scrip; Shepherd's Sprout; Lady's Purse; Witches' Pouches; Rattle Pouches; Case-weed; Pick-Pocket; Pick-Purse; Blindweed; Pepper-and-Salt; Poor Man's Parmacettie; Sanguinary; Mother's Heart.
Widely available, Shepherd's Purse can help regulate blood flow and is often used as a herbal remedy to treat regular bleeding disorders, such as heavy periods.
Shepherd's purse has not been well researched, and its actions are not well understood.
History; Source
A native of Europe, Shepherd's Purse has accompanied Europeans in all their migrations and established itself wherever they have settled to till the soil. In John Josselyn's Herbal it is one of the plants named as unknown to the New World before the Pilgrim Fathers settled there.
It will flourish and set seed in the poorest soil, though it may only attain the height of a few inches. In rich soil it luxuriates and grows to 2 feet in height.
Shepherd's Purse is a common weed of the Cruciferous order, is said to be found all over the world, and flourishes nearly the whole year round.
Teas and capsules of shepherd's purse are not readily available.
Function; Reasons For Use
Several partial analyses have been made of ther plant, but no definitive characteristic principle has been isolated. The active constituent is said to be an organic acid, which Bombelon, a French chemist, termed bursinic acid. He also found a tannate and an alkaloid, Bursine, which resembles sulphocyansinapine.
A peculiar sulphuretted volatile oil, similar if not identical to oil of mustard, as well as a fixed oil, have been determined and 6% of a soft resin.
An astringent agent, shepherd's purse constricts blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow.
When dried and infused, it yields a tea which is still considered by herbalists one of the best specifics for stopping hemorrhages of all kinds - of the stomach, the lungs, or the uterus, and more especially bleeding from the kidneys.
Shepherd's purse is used to stop heavy bleeding and hemorrhaging, particularly from the uterus. When taken internally, shepherd's purse can reduce heavy menstrual periods, and it has been used to treat postpartum hemorrhage.
When used topically, shepherd's purse is applied to lacerations and traumatic injuries of the skin to stop bleeding and promote healing. Herbalists also use the herb topically for eczema and rashes of the skin.
It has been used in English domestic practice from early times as an astringent in diarrhea. It has been employed in fresh decoction in hematuria, hemorrhoids, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, and locally as a vulnerary in nose-bleeding, which is checked by inserting the juice on cotton-wool.
It is considered most effective for the treatment of chronic uterine bleeding disorders, including uterine bleeding due to the presence of a fibroid tumor. Shepherd's purse has also been used internally to treat cases of blood in the urine and bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, such as with bleeding ulcers.
It is a remedy of the first importance in catarrhal conditions of the bladder and ureters, also in ulcerated conditions and abscess of the bladder. It increases the flow of urine. Its use is specially indicated when there is white mucous matter voided with the urine; relief in these cases following at once.
Shepherd's Purse serve as a useful herbal remedy to deal with menstrual bleeding. When taken before the period begins and once it has started, shepherd's purse may help women with difficult periods find some relief.
Directions
In modern herbal medicine the whole plant is employed, dried and administered in infusion, and in fluid extract. A homoeopathic tincture is prepared from the fresh plant.
Herbalists use shepherd's purse tincture in moderate doses of 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon at a time -- up to 1 teaspoonful -- three or four times a day before the menstrual period is due and during the period to reduce heavy bleeding.
The medicinal infusion should be made with an ounce of the plant to 12oz of water, reduced by boiling to 1/2 pint, strained and taken cold.
The fluid extract is given in doses of 1/32 to 1/16oz. In the United States, the fluid extract is given for dropsy in doses of 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful in water.
There is little reason to use shepherd's purse if you do not have bleeding problems, and you should discontinue its use as soon as the problem is alleviated.
Limit use to a month or two, then take a week-long break, resuming if necessary. If used for excessive menstrual bleeding, use for a few days to a week before the period and during the menstrual period -- not throughout the month.
Counter-Indicators and Warnings
Since Shepherd's Purse constricts the blood vessels, it is not recommended for those with high blood pressure.
Shepherd's Purse does contain alkaloids, some of which can have cumulative effects in the body, so it should not be used internally without cause, nor should it be used long-term or during pregnancy or while nursing.
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Shepherd's Purse can help with the following: | | | | | Uro-Genital |  Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods) | Shepherd's purse has a long history of oral use in the management of obstetric and gynecologic hemorrhage. Uncontrolled studies have found intravenous and intramuscular injections to be effective in cases of menorrhagia that are due to functional abnormalities and fibroids. Its beneficial action in slowing blood flow is believed to be a result of its high concentration of oxalic and dicarboxylic acids. The use of botanicals should be reserved for difficult cases of menorrhagia, those cases where immediate cessation of blood loss is desired, and/or as a short-term aid to other therapies. |
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KEY | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Astringent
Agent causing contraction, especially after topical application.
Boil (Abscess, Abscesses, Boils, Carbuncle, Carbuncles, Cystic Acne, Furuncle, Furuncles, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Pilonidal Cyst, Pilonidal Cysts)
A localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with white cells that the body sends to fight the infection (pus). Finally, the pus forms a "head" and drains out through the skin. A furuncle or carbuncle is an abscess in the skin caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It can have one or more openings onto the skin and may be associated with a fever or chills. Cystic acne is a type of abscess formed when oil ducts become clogged and infected. Cystic acne is most common in the teenage years. Hidradenitis suppurativa is an illness in which there are multiple abscesses that form under the arm pits and in the groin area. These areas are a result of local inflammation of the sweat glands. A pilonidal cyst is a special kind of abscess that occurs in the crease of the buttocks. These frequently form after long trips that involve sitting.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Decoction
Liquid prepared by boiling plant material in water for a period of time.
Diarrhea
Excessive discharge of contents of bowel.
Dysentery
An inflammatory disorder of the lower intestinal tract, usually caused by a bacterial, parasitic, or protozoan infection and resulting in pain, fever, and severe diarrhea, often accompanied by the passage of blood and mucus.
Eczema
Swelling of the outer skin of unknown cause. In the early stage it may be itchy, red, have small blisters, and be swollen, and weeping. Later it becomes crusted, scaly, and thickened.
Gastrointestinal (GI, GI Tract)
Pertaining to the stomach, small and large intestines, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Hematuria
Blood in the urine.
Hemorrhage (Hemorrhaging)
Profuse blood flow.
Hemorrhoids
Varicose disorder causing painful swellings at the anus; piles.
Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Hydrops (Dropsy)
An excessive accumulation of clear, watery fluid in any of the tissues or cavities of the body; edema, ascites, anasarca. Usually associated with weak heart performance.
Kidneys (Kidney, Renal)
Bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines, each day handling about 50 gallons of blood to sift out about half a gallon of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In a nephron, a glomerulus -- which is a tiny blood vessel, or capillary -- intertwines with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave your blood and enter your urinary system. The kidneys recycle chemicals such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and thus regulate their levels. Renal: Pertaining to the kidneys.
Leiomyomas (Fibroids, Fibromyoma, Leiomyoma, Myofibroma)
Benign tumors of the involuntary muscle. An encapsulated tumor made up of disorganized and irregular connective tissue. The most common of these is the "fibroid" tumor that develops in many women. It is really a leiomyoma of the uterus.
Lung (Lungs, Pulmonary)
Organ of the body, located in the chest cavity which is designed to bring oxygen from the air into the blood stream, while also expelling carbon dioxide and other waste gases out of the body. Pulmonary: Related to the lungs.
Menorrhagia
Abnormally heavy and/or long menstrual period.
Menstruation (Menses, Menstrual, Menstrual Cycle, Menstrual Cycles, Menstrual Flow, Menstrual Phase, Monthly Cycle)
The periodic discharge of blood, tissue fluid and mucus from the endometrium (lining of the uterus) that usually lasts from 3 - 5 days. It is caused by a sudden reduction in estrogens and progesterone.
Mucus (Mucous)
The viscous, slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
Ounce (Ounces, oz)
Approximately 28 grams.
Postpartum
After childbirth.
Stomach
A hollow, muscular, J-shaped pouch located in the upper part of the abdomen to the left of the midline. The upper end (fundus) is large and dome-shaped; the area just below the fundus is called the body of the stomach. The fundus and the body are often referred to as the cardiac portion of the stomach. The lower (pyloric) portion curves downward and to the right and includes the antrum and the pylorus. The function of the stomach is to begin digestion by physically breaking down food received from the esophagus. The tissues of the stomach wall are composed of three types of muscle fibers: circular, longitudinal and oblique. These fibers create structural elasticity and contractibility, both of which are needed for digestion. The stomach mucosa contains cells which secrete hydrochloric acid and this in turn activates the other gastric enzymes pepsin and rennin. To protect itself from being destroyed by its own enzymes, the stomach’s mucous lining must constantly regenerate itself.
Teaspoon (Teaspoons, tsp)
Equivalent to 5cc (5ml).
Tincture
An alcohol or water-alcohol solution, usually referring to a preparation from herbal materials.
Tumor (Tumors, Tumour, Tumours)
An abnormal growth of tissue resulting from uncontrolled, progressive multiplication of cells and serving no physiological function; a neoplasm. Literally, a swelling; in the past the term has been used in reference to any swelling of the body, no matter what the cause. However, the word is now being used almost exclusively to refer to a neoplastic mass, and the more general usage is being discarded.
Ulcer (Ulceration, Ulcers)
Lesion on the skin or mucous membrane.
Uterus (Uterine)
The part of the female reproductive system specialized to allow the implantation, growth and nourishment of a fetus during pregnancy.
Last updated: Sep 28, 2008
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