Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Shepherd's Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 3 pharmacological actions, 6 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 12 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Key Constituents
Pharmacological Actions
Tones the uterus and eases menstrual flow and cramps (traditional)
Astringent / styptic for minor wounds (helps stop bleeding, topical); Haemostatic / styptic - reduces heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia); also used for nosebleeds and postpartum bleeding. In a randomized clinical trial, Capsella bursa-pastoris added to mefenamic acid reduced menstrual blood loss significantly more than mefenamic acid alone
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from astringent action
more plants for diarrhoea →detailed sources →Haemostatic / styptic - reduces heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia); also used for nosebleeds and postpartum bleeding. In a randomized clinical trial, Capsella bursa-pastoris added to mefenamic acid reduced menstrual blood loss significantly more than mefenamic acid alone
more plants for heavy menstrual bleeding →detailed sources →Tones the uterus and eases menstrual flow and cramps (traditional)
more plants for menstrual cramps →detailed sources →inferred from emmenagogue action
more plants for pms / premenstrual syndrome →detailed sources →inferred from astringent action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →Astringent / styptic for minor wounds (helps stop bleeding, topical)
more plants for wounds →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Avoid during pregnancy (it stimulates the uterus). Any heavy or abnormal bleeding needs medical evaluation to identify the cause - do not self-treat without assessment.
May affect blood pressure and heart rhythm, so use caution with cardiac, blood-pressure, anticoagulant, thyroid and sedative medicines.
References
REF-0761, REF-0762, REF-0763, REF-1971, REF-1972, REF-1973, REF-1974, REF-1975, REF-1976References & Sources
- Wei, Z.Z., Zhou, T.Q., Xia, Z.M., Liu, S.F. et al (2022) 'Four organosulfur compounds from the seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris and their anti-inflammatory activities', Natural Product Research, 37(16), pp. 2688-2696. doi:10.1080/14786419.2022.2130307 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2022.2130307 - Jeong, Y., Lee, S.H., Lee, J., Kim, M.S. et al (2023) 'Water Extract of Capsella bursa-pastoris Mitigates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity by Upregulating Antioxidant Enzymes', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(21), pp. 15912. doi:10.3390/ijms242115912 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242115912 - Zhou, T.Q., Wei, Z.Z., Zhang, J.R., Dong, J.H. et al (2023) 'Phytochemical Constituents from the Seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris and Their Antioxidant Activities', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 78(4), pp. 776-782. doi:10.1007/s11130-023-01097-z Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-023-01097-z - Lukaszyk, A., Kwiecien, I. and Szopa, A (2024) 'Traditional Uses, Bioactive Compounds, and New Findings on Pharmacological, Nutritional, Cosmetic and Biotechnology Utility of Capsella bursa-pastoris', Nutrients, 16(24), pp. 4390. doi:10.3390/nu16244390 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16244390 - Apaydin Yildirim, B., Aydin, T., Kordali, S., Yildirim, S., Cakir, A. and Yildirim, F (2020) 'Antihemorrhoidal activity of organic acids of Capsella bursa-pastoris on croton oil-induced hemorrhoid in rats', Journal of Food Biochemistry, 44(9), pp. e13343. doi:10.1111/jfbc.13343 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.13343 - Cha, J.M., Suh, W.S., Lee, T.H., Subedi, L., Kim, S.Y. and Lee, K.R (2017) 'Phenolic Glycosides from Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity', Molecules, 22(6), pp. 1023. doi:10.3390/molecules22061023 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22061023 - Xie, L., Xu, X., Wu, X., Wang, M., Gao, C., Wang, D., Ren, S., Pan, Y. and Liu, X (2021) 'Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. extract alleviate cataract development by regulating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway of the lens epithelial cells', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 284, pp. 114783. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114783 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114783 - Hwang, J., Choi, E., Choi, H., Park, J. and Chung, M (2021) 'The Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Capsella Bursa-Pastoris Is Mediated via SREBP2 and HNF-1alpha-Regulated PCSK9 Inhibition in Obese Mice and HepG2 Cells', Foods, 10(2), pp. 408. doi:10.3390/foods10020408 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10020408 - Gumusok, S., Kirci, D., Demirci, B. and Kilic, C.S (2023) 'Essential Oil Composition of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. Aerial Parts', Turkish Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 20(5), pp. 341-344. doi:10.4274/tjps.galenos.2022.15098 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.4274/tjps.galenos.2022.15098 - Herbal Reality (n.d.) 'Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris): Benefits, Uses, Safety'. Available at: https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/shepherds-purse/ Traditional / reference
https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/shepherds-purse/ - ESCOP (European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy) (n.d.) 'Capsella bursa-pastoris (shepherd's purse) reduces heavy menstrual bleeding', pp. com. Available at: https://www.escop.com/capsella-bursa-pastoris-shepherds-purse-reduces-heavy-menstrual-bleeding/ Traditional / reference
https://www.escop.com/capsella-bursa-pastoris-shepherds-purse-reduces-heavy-menstrual-bleeding/ - Naafe, M., Kariman, N., Keshavarz, Z., Khademi, N., Mojab, F. and Mohammadbeigi, A (2018) 'Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Capsella Bursa-Pastoris on Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: A Randomized Clinical Trial', Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(7), pp. 694--700. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0267 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0267
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