Shepherd’s purse is often used for culinary purposes, especially in Asian cuisine.  It is recognized by its long stem, deep-toothed leaves, and a cluster of tiny white blossoms. This herbal folk remedy is also known as Blind weed, lady’s purse, Mother’s heart, and Witch’s purse.

It has fumaric acid and sulforaphane, substances that offer antioxidant effects. Some other active ingredients and substances present in it are flavonoids (quercetin, diosmetin, luteolin, hesperidin), glycosides, various amines (acetylcholine, choline, histamine, tyramine), volatile oil (especially camphor), carotenoids, sinigrin (a glucosinolate), and vitamins A, B, C, and K.

Here are some good reasons why Shepherd’s purse is beneficial to our health.

Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Shepherd’s purse contains capselloside, a sugar molecule that was able to suppress inflammation in nerve cells in a series of test-tube studies. Moreover, its phenols and flavonoids are also known to exert anti-inflammatory properties.

Helps With Postpartum Bleeding

When it comes to postpartum hemorrhage or bleeding after childbirth, Shepherd’s purse may help.

Results of a study showed that taking 10 drops of shepherd’s purse along with oxytocin can significantly reduce bleeding in women with postpartum hemorrhage.

Helps With Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Heavy bleeding associated with the menstrual cycle can also be treated by the herb.

Experts found that women taking 1,000 mg of the anti-inflammatory drug mefenamic acid along with shepherd’s purse daily throughout their menstrual cycle experienced significantly less menstrual bleeding than those who only took mefenamic acid.

For this, we can take a dried herb and make a decoction. Drink it 2 times in a day.

A Natural Diuretic

Being a natural diuretic, the herb can increase the volume and flow of urine, thus helping clean our urinary system. It can be helpful in the treatment of abscesses and ulcerated conditions of the bladder and ureters, urine with white mucous discharge, kidney complaints, irritation of the urinary tract caused by uric acid, or insoluble phosphates or carbonates, and bedwetting in children.

Helps Heal Wounds

The herb has been used to speed up the healing of minor wounds, cuts, and scrapes. Use the plant as a compress for cuts and wounds. It is more useful for head injuries.

How To Use Shepherd’s Purse?

This traditional herb can be used fresh or dried and in the form of decoction, extracts, liquid extracts, and tinctures.

When it comes to tea preparation, we can simply prepare it by using 1-2 teaspoons of the herb in a cup of hot water and draw for 10-15 minutes. Drink the tea 2-4 times a day.