Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) Mini Monograph

Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) Mini Monograph

Family: Brassicaceae

Common names: Shepherd’s purse, witches pouches (Fisher 2009), Shepherd’s Bag, Shepherd’s Scrip, Shepherd’s Sprout, Lady’s Purse, Rattle Pouches, Pick Pocket, Pick-Purse, Blind weed, Mothers Heart and Clappedepouch (Irish) (Grieve 1931). 

“The leaves of Shepherd’s purse grow up at the first long, gashed in the edges like those of Rocket, spread upon the ground: from these spring up very many little weake stalkes divided into sundry branches, with like leaves growing on them, but lesser; at the top whereof are orderly placed small white floures: after these come up little seed vessels, flat and cornered, narrow at the stemme like to a certaine little pouch or purse, in which lieth the seed. The root is white not without strings.”

– John Gerard (1545-1612), Gerard’s Herbal (1998)

Habitat: Grows in waste lands, parks and ovals from seed and self-sows readily (Fisher 2009, Grubb & Raser-Rowland 2012).

“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” – Mrs. M Grieve from A Modern Herbal, 1931 (Grieve 1931).

Parts Used: Aerial parts (Hoffman 1990).

Actions: Antihaemorrhagic (especially uterine), urinary antiseptic, styptic (Bone 2007), antipyretic (Fisher 2009), diuretic, astringent (Bone & Mills p. 293, Hoffman 1990) and uterine stimulant (Hoffman 1990).

Constituents: Glucosinolates - sinigrin, flavonoids – luteolin, quercitin & diosmin, amino acids, organic acids, essential oil, amines (Bone 2007, Fisher 2009), tyramine, choline acetylcholine, tannin, resin and saponins (Hoffman 1990).

Nutritional Constituents: Vitamins A, C & K. Minerals – calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, sulphur and zinc (Fisher 2009). 

Taste: Seed heads possess a “peppery-mustard” taste, although the edible leaves and flowers have a milder taste, all go well in salads (Grubb & Raser-Rowland 2012).

Cautions/Contraindications: Pregnancy and lactation (Bone 2007, Grubb & Raser-Rowland 2012).

References:

Bone, K. (2007). The Ultimate Herbal Compendium: A Desktop Guide for Herbal Prescribers. Queensland, Australia: Phytotherapy Press.

Bone, K. Mills, S. (2013). Principles & Practice of Phytotherapy, (2nd ed.): Modern Herbal Medicine. UK: Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.

Fisher, C. (2009). Materia Medica of Western Herbs. New Zealand: Vitex Medica

Gerard, J. (1998). Gerard’s Herbal: John Gerard’s Historie of Plants. United Kingdom, Tiger Books International.

Grieves, M. (1992). A Modern Herbal. (3rd ed.). London, Great Britain: Tiger Books International.

Grubb, A. Raser-Rowland, A. (2019). The Weed Forager’s Handbook. Melbourne: Hyland House Publishing.

Hoffman, D. (1990). Holistic Herbal: A safe and Practical Guide to Making and Using Herbal Remedies. Great Britain: Thorsons