General information
Scientific name: Capsella bursa-pastoris
Other Names: Shepherd’s Scrip, Shepherd’s Sprout, Lady’s Purse, Witches’ Pouches, Rattle Pouches, Case-Weed, Pick Pocket, Blindweed, Pepper-and-Salt, Poor Man’s Parmacet-tie, Sanguinary, Mother’s Heart, Cocowort, St. James’ Weed, Shepherd’s Heart, Toy wort
Habitat: Worldwide, except tropical regions.
Constituents
Volatile oil, fixed oil, resin.
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal part is the aerial portion of the plant.
Indication and Usage
Approved by Commission E:
- Nosebleeds
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Wounds and burns
Is an anti-haemorrhagic and anti-uric-acid remedy. It is used for albuminuria during gestation, chronic neuralgia, renal and vesical irritation, haemorrhage from uterine fibroid with backache or general bruised soreness, uterine haemorrhage, with cramps and expulsion of clots.
Used in the treatment of mild forms of intestinal hemorrhage or gastric hemorrhage from simple ulceration, also in atonic dyspepsia, diarrhoea, both acute and chronic, and in dysentery and bleeding piles.
Externally the bruised herb has been applied to bruised and strained parts, to rheumatic joints, and where there was ecchymosis or extravasations within or beneath the skin.
In persistent menorrhagia and weakness of the lining of the uterus as well as capillaries Capsella bursa pastoris is considered an effective remedy.
Precautions and Adverse Reactions
General: No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
Pregnancy: Not to be used during pregnancy.
Dosage
Daily Dosage: Internally, the average daily dose is 10 to 15gm of herb. The liquid extract daily dose is 5 to 8 gm.
The infusion may be drunk throughout the day. Externally an infusion is prepared by adding 3 to 5 gm to 150 ml water.
Sources:
Herbal Medicines Third edition pub. 2007 by Joanne Barnes, Linda A Anderson, J David Phillipson
PDR for Herbal Medicine pub. 2000 by Joerg Gruenwald, PhD etal
Ellingwood’s American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy
Peterson
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