Brassicaceae
Shepherd’s Purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris
✓ Generally Safe
Avoid in Pregnancy
Native to: Europe, Asia (naturalized globally)
Also known as: Mother's Heart, Pickpocket, Shepherd's Sprout, Witch's Pouches
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Aerial parts
Therapeutic Uses
Menorrhagia (heavy periods), metrorrhagia, postpartum haemorrhage, wound bleeding (topical), nosebleeds, urinary tract bleeding. One of the most important herbal haemostatics.
Herbal Actions
Haemostatic, uterine contractant, astringent, diuretic, antihypertensive
Active Constituents
Flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, diosmin), peptides, choline, acetylcholine, amino acids, mustard oil glycosides, vitamins C and K
Preparation Methods
🏺 Tincture☕ Herbal Tea
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 2 tsp dried herb per 250ml, steep 10 min, 3–5x daily during acute bleeding |
| Tincture | 4–6 ml (1:5, 25% ethanol), 3–5x daily acutely |
| Notes | Most effective fresh plant tincture — loses potency on drying. For menorrhagia: combine with lady's mantle and yarrow. For nosebleed: apply tincture to cotton and insert into nostril. Acute use herb — not for long-term use. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Avoid in Pregnancy
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnancy (uterine contractant). Caution with thyroid medications (may affect thyroid). Avoid with anticoagulants.
Side Effects: GI upset. Sedation at high doses. Thyroid effects with long-term use. Generally safe short-term.