It always makes me smile the first time I see Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) each season. I think of this plant as a hopeful sign of spring (even though it shoots up as early as January where I live in Southern California).
Intro to Capsella bursa-pastoris
To the untrained eye this delicate plant may look like a random garden weed, but once you meet her, it’s impossible not to be delighted by her delicate beauty. Shepherd’s Purse is long and thin with heart shaped seed pods up and down its stem. It gets its name because these seed pods also resemble the small purses that shepherds used to carry.
Shepherd’s Purse is native to the Mediterranean, but it can be found worldwide. I saw it referred to as a true 'global citizen' which I love. Shepherd’s Purse will grow just about anywhere including a dirt patch or on a city sidewalk, and it’s one of my favorite plants to point out on an urban herb walk. It is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae) – a family distinguished by cross-shaped flowers and usually a warming, peppery or spicy taste profile.
The aerial parts of the plant are used in herbalism and it is commonly found as a tincture, tea or salve. However, its mild peppery taste makes Shepherd’s Purse a flavorful addition to salads and other dishes where it can enhance a meal with its broad profile of vitamins and minerals.
Chemistry & Benefits
Some of the main compounds in Shepherd’s Purse include flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids which relate to its key actions. When tinctured, this prolific weed plays a role in supporting a wide range of health concerns...
Healthy Tissues: Shepherd’s Purse is an astringent herb that supports healthy tissue states. It can play an important role in supporting blood vessels function and wound recovery.
Kidney/Bladder Health: Shepherd’s Purse has a diuretic action and supports fluid balance in the body. It is often used to support kidney & bladder health and encourages a healthy inflammatory balance in these body systems. In Traditional Chinese medicine is it said to support kidney qi stagnation.
Women’s Health: Shepherd’s Purse can play a specific role in women’s health by helping reduce congestion and moderate menstruation when flow is heavier than normal or spotting occurs between cycles. In addition, trained midwives often have Shepherd’s Purse in their toolkit to support certain phases of labor and postpartum.
Nutrition: Shepherd’s Purse has a rich vitamin and nutrient profile that supports cellular health, immune strength and free radical scavengers. Harvesting wild Shepherd’s Purse in the spring is a great way to enhance the nutrient density of your food and to utilize the warming nature of this plant to encourage digestive health and slough off the winter stagnation. Just make sure you’re harvesting in an area without pollution or soil contamination!
Conclusion
Shepherd’s Purse may not be a plant that you commonly use in daily life but I hope you have a chance to meet this lovely weed in the wild and keep her in mind for the important role she can play in our diets, in an herbal materia medica and in ceremony.
She is a plant that can unite us with the people around the world who have embraced her as part of their cultural rituals. In China, Shepherd’s Purse is believed to symbolize wealth and is given as a gift during Chinese New Year. How appropriate for this year of the dragon – another symbol of good fortune!
At WishGarden, you’ll find Shepherd’s Purse as a single herb tincture and in our Flow Stopper and Kidney Strength formulas.
Always consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating a new plant or herbal remedy, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or are taking medications. Shepherd’s Purse is not recommended for use while pregnant. It is also best to avoid any consistent use of this plant while trying to conceive.
Jamie Cotter is an herbalist, health coach and the head of education for WishGarden Herbs. She is trained as a yoga teacher and doula and loves supporting people on their wellness journeys.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or sell any product.