Shepherd’s Purse

Description

• PLANT:

Shepherd's purse, whose scientific name is Capsella bursa-pastoris, is also known as zurrón de pastor, bolsa de pastor and jaramango blanco.
It is an annual herbaceous, seed-bearing species covered in short hairs, native to eastern Europe and Asia, although it has now adapted to almost the whole world, particularly continental climates.
It is considered a common weed, found in dry places, meadows, fields, roadsides and grassland. It is also often found in inhabited areas, along walls and paths.
It is a small plant measuring between 15 and 50 cm in height. Its leaves are basal and grow in a rosette 4 to 10 cm long. The stem is cylindrical, upright, grooved and 15 to 50 cm tall.

• COMPOSITION:

Its biochemical composition is notable for the presence of choline, tyramine, acetylcholine, diosmin, alkaloids such as bursine, vitamin C, tannins, an
essential oil, flavonoids, saponosides and abundant minerals.

• COSMETIC PROPERTIES AND USES:

This plant has very beneficial properties, including antibacterial, antihaemorrhagic, astringent, wound-healing, vasoconstrictor, vasodilator, diuretic and tonic properties.
One of its main uses is as a skin balm, as it soothes skin irritation, cracked skin, scratches and tears.
It is also a powerful astringent and antihaemorrhagic agent (vasoconstrictor), so it is used in cases of varicose veins, haemorrhoids, menorrhagia and metrorrhagia, bleeding and wound healing. Its astringent action makes it very effective in treating varicose veins and haemorrhoids.

Precaution: Although not described as a side effect of shepherd's purse, many glucosinolates have an antithyroid action in humans that can induce goitre. Due to its abortifacient effect, it is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy.
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