Shepherd’s purse is an inconspicuous herb and is hardly noticed because of its small leaves on roadsides. Shepherd’s purse has amazing healing potential and is common throughout Europe.
Occurrence and cultivation of shepherd’s purse.
Since shepherd’s purse loves nutrient-rich soil, it is particularly common in gardens or along the edges of fields. The common shepherd’s purse, Capsella bursa pastoris, belongs botanically to the so-called cruciferous plants and is also popularly known by a number of other names and eponyms. Bloodroot, shepherd’s purse, spoon thief or Boer ham are frequent expressions for shepherd’s purse in popular usage. If shepherd’s purse is used as a medicinal plant, then the whole herb is always used, the collection period is from June to August. Since shepherd’s purse loves nutrient-rich soils, it is especially found in gardens or along the edges of fields. Other typical localizations are embankments, roadsides, ditches, pastures or rubble heaps. Shepherd’s purse is a plant that can grow as an annual or perennial. The rosette of shepherd’s purse growing near the ground is similar in shape and appearance to that of the dandelion, but it is far more irregularly serrated. The stems of the plant can grow up to half a meter high, and at the top of the stems small white flowers are formed. These flowers eventually develop into heart-shaped, flat pouches that have given the plant its name. Up to half a centimeter in size, these pods of shepherd’s purse can grow.
Effect and application
Shepherd’s purse is a European medicinal and cultivated plant with a long tradition. However, its medicinal effects have been increasingly forgotten over the centuries. In so-called orthodox medicine, shepherd’s purse therefore plays only a minor role today. However, traditional folk and herbal medicine has rediscovered shepherd’s purse and its healing power for humans and animals. Shepherd’s purse has always been associated with a hemostatic effect, the main effect of the medicinal plant, which therefore also bears the name bloodroot. At the same time, the hemostatic effect refers not only to external injuries and lesions, where the pounded herb can be applied directly to the bleeding areas in the form of a paste. For to minimize the dreaded postpartum bleeding, a tea preparation made from the fresh or dried parts of the plant can be drunk in sips after childbirth. Tea made from shepherd’s purse is also successful in treating excessive menstrual bleeding and the abdominal cramping that usually accompanies it. If the tea decoction is drunk in time before the onset of menstruation, the symptoms can usually be alleviated. In addition to this most important internal and external mode of action of hemostasis, shepherd’s purse herb is also effective against a whole range of other health complaints and mood disorders. In addition to promoting digestive activity, a healing effect on skin eczema and a blood pressure regulating effect have been observed. People with high or low blood pressure can benefit equally from its use. Since shepherd’s purse is completely non-toxic and well-tolerated, the tea preparation is also suitable for continuous use. Besides the tea preparation, preferably from the freshly harvested herb, an alcoholic tincture can also be prepared, which is then available throughout the year. Those who suffer from nosebleeds can also snort the cooled shepherd’s purse tea. Pharmacological analyses could detect, among others, acethylcholine, tyramine, brusic acid, essential oils, saponins, potassium and various tannins and bitter substances in the shepherd’s purse herb. It must be assumed that the interaction of all these and other ingredients is responsible for the medicinal effects of shepherd’s purse.
Significance for health, treatment and prevention.
The main effect of hemostasis is achieved by a so-called astringent of the blood vessels. Thus, the fine blood vessels contract under the action of shepherd’s purse, and the bleeding can usually be stopped quickly. Shepherd’s purse should not be used during pregnancy because of its effects on the unborn child, which are still unknown. But as soon as the birth process is over, you can start drinking the tea.Even though the internal hemostatic effect of shepherd’s purse herb is significant, the tea may only be used as an adjunct to therapy and after medical consultation. The preventive effect of shepherd’s purse plays a role especially in gynecology to alleviate menstrual cramps. If there is a tendency to abdominal cramps or heavy menstrual bleeding, the tea can be drunk as a course of treatment over several weeks. The astringent effect on blood vessels also benefits patients suffering from hemorrhoids or varicose veins. In addition, the shepherd’s purse herb can be used against a tendency to vascular calcification, arteriosclerosis. In general, the shepherd’s purse herb is attributed a metabolism-promoting healing effect, which, among other things, accounts for its great importance for health and prevention in traditional naturopathy. Not so well known, but nevertheless resounding and helpful is the anti-inflammatory effect of shepherd’s purse. Therefore, good healing results can also be observed in the treatment of colds and respiratory infections. Due to the composition of the plant juice, it has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal effects. Therefore, in case of sore throat, it is also useful to gargle with the lukewarm tea decoction. Because of its metabolic properties, shepherd’s purse has also made a name for itself as a natural remedy for certain forms of rheumatism and obesity. The tea infusion can therefore also be used to support a diet. For taste reasons, other tasty herbs, such as peppermint, chamomile or sage, can be added to the tea. If the tea reaches the stomach, the stomach lining gently contracts, which can support the overall digestive process.
