Shepherds Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris):

·        Is a non-native, imported annual plant, in the mustard family; which grows erect to from three to about thirty inches.

·        It has deeply divided rosette leaves and flattened triangular seed pods that can produce over 33,000 seeds per plant.

·        Shepherds purse has the reputation of being able to stop bleeding-both internally and externally.

It contains quantities of vitamins C and also K which are both useful for blood clotting. Although they should never be used without first consulting a qualified physician, contemporary herbalists often recommend dried shepherds purse internally for bloody urine, nosebleeds, bleeding after childbirth and diarrhoea . Externally it is used to treat wounds and haemorrhoids. More than 300 years ago Nicholas Culpepper wrote “Few plants possess greater virtues than this, and yet it is utterly disregarded”. Some authorities say no one is interested because this common weed is medically worthless. Other say it is just too common and the few real studies done to date have revealed intriguing possibilities both for treating bleeding and for inducing labour.

Although it was undoubtedly introduced into Canada and Newfoundland (not then part of Canada) long before, according to United States OF THE Americas fictionalization and occasional belief; shepherds purse may have been introduced into North America by the pilgrims, where, like the also intentionally introduced dandelion, it quickly became a weed. People with ulcers, colitis, Crohns disease, or bleeding disorders might try this herb after consultation with their doctor. To use shepherds purse externally on wounds of haemorrhoids, soak a clean cloth in either a tincture or infusion and apply thoroughly to cleaned wound.

©Al (Alex- Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved

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