-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shepherd's Purse)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Capsella bursa-pastoris

synonyms: shepherd's purse, mother's heart, cocowort, pick-pocket, St. James' weed, shepherd's heart, toywort, hirtentaschel, bourse a pasteur, fleur de S. Jacques, bolsa de pastor, borsa di pastore

part(s) used: herb

qualities: pungent

affinities:

actions: antiscorbutic, stimulant, diuretic, styptic

dosage:

» tincture: 1 - 4 ml. of fresh, undried herb

therapy: kidney complaints, dropsy, chronic diarrhea

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d (due to oxalates, caution is advised for those with a history of kidney stones) (McGuffin)

toxicity: 0

» contraindicated in pregnancy due to emmenagogue (Brinker, Farnsworth) and abortifacient effect and the uterine stimulant action (Brinker, Lust, Farnsworth)

constituents: flavonoids, fumaric and bursic acids, choline, acetylcholine, histamine, tyramine

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Lust, J. 1983. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.