Article - Shepherd's PurseCommon Name: SHEPHERD'S PURSE, CHINESE CRESS
Scientific Name: Capsella bursa-pastoris
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Capsella bursa-pastoris is known by its common name Shepherd's-purse because of its triangular, purse-like seed pods. This small (up to 40cm high) annual has a slender, flexible, slightly hairy white taproot and a rosette of lobed leaves at the base with a branched stem and smaller leaves.
It bears tiny white flowers throughout the year - each flower developing into a heart-shaped, two-celled seedpod, about 5 mm long, containing a number of tiny seeds. When the pod dries, it splits in half, releasing the mature seeds. The plant is self-fertile and is a member of the Brassicaceae or mustard family. It will grow in any well-drained soil in sun or partial shade and will tolerate poor conditions.
Shepherd’s Purse is found in both temperate and warm areas. It has been used as a food for thousands of years – seeds have been found in the stomach of Tollund man (c.500BC-AD400) and during excavation of another site which dates back to 5950BC.
Harvest and parts used:
The leaves are a cress and cabbage substitute, becoming peppery with age. In early spring, before the flower stalks appear, the young leaves are good in salads or cooked as greens - put them in a loosely covered dish with a little water, some mushrooms, and a sprig or two of thyme, microwave it on high for 4 minutes, and serve with butter. They can also be mixed with other greens.
The leaves (dry weight) per 100g of food contain about 280 Calories,
Shepherd's purse is:
Warning: Do not use internally if you have a history of blood clots.
Externally, it has historically been used as an astringent and styptic to treat wounds.
Anti-scorbutic – Shepherd's Purse is a source of Vitamin C for curing or
Diuretic – it increases the volume and flow of urine which cleanses the urinary system. It can be used in the treatment of abscesses and ulcerated conditions of the bladder and ureters, irritation of the urinary tract caused by uric acid or insoluble phosphates or carbonates, urine with white mucous discharge, kidney complaints and bedwetting in children.
Stimulant – it excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues by giving more energy and is therefore sometimes recommended as a general tonic.
Anti-cancer - Shepherd’s purse is a folk remedy for cancer. It contains fumaric acid which has markedly reduced growth and viability of Ehrlich tumor in mice.
Vasoconstrictor and cardiovascular – Shepherd's Purse is a circulation equalizing herb that normalizes circulation, regulates heart action and may help to correct high or low blood pressure.
It has proven uterine-contracting properties and is traditionally used during or after childbirth and to ease menopause and difficult menstruation.
Warning: It should not be used internally by pregnant woman.
Anti-inflammatory - externally Shepherd's Purse is applied to bruises and limbs suffering from muscular atrophy or external muscular disorders, strains and rheumatic joints.
For medicinal use, the whole plant in flower is used (except the roots) in the form of a tea or an infusion. Either fresh or dried material may be used, but fresh is preferred due to the dried herb’s short shelf life.
Shepherd's purse will absorb excessive salts from the soil, and may be planted on salty or marshy land in order to reclaim it.