Western Herbalism
Shepherd's purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
Also known as Capsella, Shepherd’s Sprout, cont'd.
Capsella acts chiefly upon the urinary tract, being a mild stimulating diuretic. The infusion, tincture and specific medicine are all efficient, but the green plant is most active. Owing to its mild astringency it has been employed in hematuria, diarrhoea, bleeding piles, and indigestion and dyspepsia of an atonic type.
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Uterine bleeding (dysfunctional)
- Cuts
- Uterine hemorrhage (mild)
- Skin abrasions
- Wounds (bleeding)
- Menorrhagia
- Urinary gravel
- Hemorrhoids
- Hematuria
- Amenorrhea
- Bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Edema
- Fluid retention
- Hemorrhage
- Menstrual irregularity
- Urinary disorders
- Wounds
- Excessive discharge
- Haematemesis
- Haematuria
- Diarrhoea
- Acute catarrhal cystitis
Safety
Pregnancy: Not for use in pregnancy
Breastfeeding: Use with care while breastfeeding
The record lists 3 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Tincture (1:3) | 3-5 ml TID | 3-5 mL |
| Infusion | 1 Tbs/c TID | |
| Dried herb 1-4 g as an infusion three times daily (G7) Liquid extract 1-4 mL (1 : 1 in 25% alcohol) three times daily .(G7) Figure 1 Selected constituents of shepherd’s purse | 1000-4000 mg | |
| Fluid Extract | Dose, from fifteen to sixty minims. | 0.92-3.7 mL |
| Tincture | Dose, from one to two drams. | 3888-7776 mg |
| Specific Medicine Capsella | Dose, from five to thirty drops. | 0.1-0.6 mL |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Action and Therapy. Capsella acts chiefly upon the urinary tract, being a mild stimulating diuretic. The infusion, tincture and specific medicine are all efficient, but the green plant is most active. Owing to its mild astringency it has been employed in hematuria, diarrhoea, bleeding piles, and indigestion and dyspepsia of an atonic type.
Therapy. The agent has been noted for its influence in haematuria and other mild forms of passive hemorrhage. It is of some benefit as a mild diuretic, soothing irritation of the renal or vesical organs. In cases of uncomplicated chronic menorrhagia it has accomplished permanent cures, especially if the discharge be persistent and devoid of much color.
primary-actions. Shepherd's purse acts primarily as: Hemostatic, Astringent. Secondary actions include Stimulates uterine contractions, Tones uterus, Mild diuretic, Emmenagogue.
indications. Shepherd's purse is traditionally indicated for: Uterine bleeding (dysfunctional), Cuts, Uterine hemorrhage (mild), Skin abrasions, Wounds (bleeding), Menorrhagia, Urinary gravel, Hemorrhoids, Hematuria, Amenorrhea, Bleeding, Diarrhea, Edema, Fluid retention, Hemorrhage, and 4 further conditions.
Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Ellingwood's American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy; Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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