Use and safety of shepherd’s purses

Shepherd’s purse is a wild plant in nature Brassicaceae family. It is related to broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage.

This article discusses the nutritional benefits and health effects of shepherd’s purse, along with some precautions to keep in mind if you decide to try it.

What is a shepherd’s purse?

Shepherd’s purse is considered a weed, but can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement, usually in the form of an extract.

Shepherd’s purse is traditionally used as a herbal remedy for conditions such as the following:

Due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial effects, shepherd’s purse has recently been studied in clinical trials of menstrual periods and postpartum hemorrhage.

Power supply

Shepherd’s purse is a plant that can be eaten cooked or raw, and its roots can be used as a substitute for ginger. Some people also use the leaves to make tea.

Shepherd’s purse has a long history of use as a spice, as a seasoning for cooked foods.

In Asian cuisine it is an ingredient in porridge and dumplings.

A nutritional powerhouse, shepherd’s purse contains the following nutrients:

Use of shepherd’s purse

Clinical trials of shepherd’s purse are limited. It has been studied in humans for heavy bleeding and infections. Here’s the latest research.

Heavy bleeding

A clinical trial of 84 people found that shepherd’s purse and mefenamic acid reduced heavy menstrual bleeding more than using mefenamic acid only. Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Another study of 100 people found that those given shepherd’s purse extract plus oxytocin immediately after delivery had less postpartum bleeding than those who received oxytocin alone. Oxytocin is a hormone that helps prevent postpartum bleeding.

More research is needed before shepherd’s purse can be routinely recommended for this use.

Inflammation

Shepherd’s purse has been studied in combination with other herbal supplements such as St. John’s wort, chamomile, and yarrow for inflammation of the vagina (known as vaginitis).

The herbal products were effective, but because several ingredients were combined, it is impossible to know how much effect came directly from the shepherd’s bag.

Other uses

Additionally, shepherd’s purse has been studied in test-tube (in vitro) and animal studies (in vivo) for the following conditions:

The effects on isolated cells or animals may or may not be the same in humans, so more research is certainly needed.

Dosage

The recommended dose for shepherd’s purse may vary. It has been studied in clinical trials at the following dosages:

• Ten drops under the tongue for postpartum hemorrhage
• 2 to 4 grams (g) in boiling water two to four times a day for heavy periods

If you try a shepherd’s purse, follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Safety

Avoid shepherd’s purse if you are allergic to shepherd’s purse or its parts.

Get medical help right away if you have a severe allergic reaction (itching, hives, shortness of breath).

Side effects

There isn’t much data on the side effects of shepherd’s purse in humans.

In mice, high doses caused side effects such as the following:

• Large pupils
• Sedation
• Slow breathing

Side effects in animals may not apply to humans.

Interactions

Shepherd’s purse may interact with the following medications:

• Sedatives: Shepherd’s purse induced sedation and prolonged sleep time in animal models. Use caution if using shepherd’s purse in combination with medications such as barbiturates such as phenobarbital, benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam) or Valium (diazepam), or pain relievers that also cause sedation. Taken together, these can slow breathing.
• Blood thinners: Shepherd’s purse helped stop bleeding, which can reduce the effectiveness of blood thinners such as Jantoven (warfarin).

It is essential to read a supplement’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel carefully to know what ingredients are in it and how much of each ingredient. Discuss the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss possible interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

Precautionary measures

When using a shepherd’s purse, keep the following precautions in mind:

• Pregnancy: Due to safety concerns, shepherd’s purse is not recommended during pregnancy. It has caused infertility in animal models.
• Breastfeeding: There is not enough data to know if shepherd’s purse is safe while breastfeeding and therefore not recommended during this time.
• Children: There is not enough data to know if the shepherd’s bag is safe for children, so it is not recommended.

Similar supplements

Herbal supplements that may help with heavy menstrual bleeding include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Ginger
• Myrtle (Myrtus communis) fruit syrup
• Pomegranate flower
• Shanzhuyu (Cornus officinalis)

Supplements that have been studied for postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss of more than 500 milliliters within 24 hours of delivery) include, but are not limited to, the following:

Note that all of these treatments (except melatonin) are considered by researchers to be low-potential treatments, meaning they are unlikely to help on their own.

Resume

Shepherd’s purse is a common flowering plant that can be used in cooking or taken as a dietary supplement.

Despite its historical use as a herbal remedy for various conditions, there is little evidence that it is effective. It has been studied in clinical trials for heavy periods, postpartum bleeding and vaginal infections. However, more research is needed before it can be recommended.

Shepherd’s purse may interact with blood thinners and medications or supplements that cause drowsiness. It is not recommended during pregnancy due to infertility in animal models. And there isn’t enough information to know if it’s safe for children or while breastfeeding.