Shepherd’s Purse 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Shepherd’s Purse  100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits
Shepherd’s purse is considered by herbalists to be one of the best herbs for stopping bleeding of all kinds, both external and internal, from superficial cuts and scrapes to internal bleeding of the stomach, the lungs, and, especially, the kidneys and urinary tract. It is prescribed mostly for slowing or stopping excessive menstrual bleeding and other uterine problems. Homeopathic remedies exist for uterine and mucous membrane bleeding.

Studies have shown that shepherd’s purse has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and anti-ulcer properties. It both decreases and increases blood pressure in laboratory tests. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses shepherd’s purse to “brighten vision.” Shepherd’s purse contains some potassium and vitamin C, nutrients critical to the maintenance of vascular health in the retina. The German Commission E has approved it for symptomatic treatment of mild bleeding such as nosebleeds, menstruation, and wounds and burns. It is also approved for premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Menstrual problems and nosebleed. Shepherd’s purse stops bleeding by the action of a plant protein that acts in the body in the same way as the hormone oxytocin. Oxytocin stimulates the constriction of the smooth muscles that surround blood vessels, especially those in the uterus. Chemical analysis has determined that its effects on slowing and stopping bleeding may also have to do with an ability to accelerate blood coagulation. Studies have also found a uterine-contracting property in shepherd’s purse. It also tones the uterus, which explains why women have long taken it after childbirth to help the womb return to normal size.

Recommended Uses
Shepherd’s purse is used as tincture or tea, as well as in poultices. A typical dose is 10 to 15 grams of the herb or topically 3 to 5 grams per ¾ cup of water or tea. Shepherd’s purse should not be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Possible side effects include enlarged pupils, neck swelling, trouble walking, and unusual drowsiness. The herb can also cause low blood pressure, respiratory paralysis, and underactive thyroid. Do not use it if you are taking digoxin, blood pressure–lowering drugs, beta blockers, or sedatives. People with heart or lung disease should use this herb with caution.

Botanical Name: Capsella bursa-pastoris
English: Shepherd’s Purse, St. James’s Wort
Also, known as: Hirtentaschel, Bourse de Pasteur, Borsa de Pastor, Borsa di Pastore, Shepherd’ bag, Shepherd’s scrip, Shepherd’s sprout, Lady’s purse, Witches’ pouches, Rattle pouches, Case- weed, Pickpocket, Pick-purse, Blind-weed, Pepper-and-salt, Poor man’s parmacettie, Sanguinary Mother’s heart, Clappede pouch, Mumiri
Origin: Bulgaria
Harvested: Wild
Parts Used: Whole plant

General Information:
Shepherd’s purse is so called from the resemblance of the flat seed-pouches of the plant to an old- fashioned common leather purse. It is similarly called in France bourse de Pasteur, and in Germany hirtentasche. The plant is green but somewhat rough with hairs. The main leaves, 1 to 5 inches long, are very variable in form either irregularly pinnatifid or entire and toothed. When not in flower, it may be distinguished by its radiating leaves, of which the outer lie close to the earth. The slender stem, which rises from the crown of the root, from the center of the rosette of radical leaves, is usually sparingly branched. It is smooth, except at the lower part, and bears a few, small, oblong leaves, arrow-shaped at the base, and above them, numerous small, white, inconspicuous flowers, which are self-fertilized and followed by wedge-shaped fruit pods, divided by narrow partitions into two cells, which contain numerous oblong yellow seeds.

Shepherd’s purse is a weed in the same plant family as broccoli, cabbage, and mustard. It is a biennial with an erect stem, a rosette of basal leaves, four-petaled white flowers, and heart-shaped seed pods. Its name derives from the appearance of the seed pods, which resemble small purses. All of the aerial (aboveground) parts of the plant are used fresh and dried in herbal medicine.

Before World War I, shepherd’s purse was used in mainstream medical practice in Britain and the United States as a remedy for uterine bleeding. During that war, when many herbs became unavailable in Britain, shepherd’s purse was used as a substitute for ergot and goldenseal, herbs more commonly used for stopping the flow of blood.

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.