Shepherd's Purse: Uses and Safety

Shepherd's purse is a wild plant in the 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 be aware of if you decide to try it.

What Is Shepherd's Purse?

Shepherd's purse is considered a weed but can be eaten raw or cooked. It may also be taken as a dietary supplement, typically in extract form.

Shepherd's purse has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy for conditions like the following:

• Boils
• Fever
• Menstrual disorders
• Gastrointestinal (GI) disease

Because of its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects, shepherd's purse has recently been studied in clinical trials for menstrual periods and postpartum bleeding.

Nutrition

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

Shepherd's purse has a long history of use as an herb, a seasoning for boiled foods.

In Asian cuisine, it is an ingredient in gruel and dumplings.

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

• Vitamin A, involved in the immune system, reproductive system, and is crucial for vision
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), an antioxidant needed for collagen production and protein breakdown in the body
• Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that may protect the heart
• Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, an essential energy source for the body
• Histamine, involved in allergic reactions
• Tyramine

Uses of Shepherd's Purse

Clinical trials of shepherd's purse are limited. It's 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 plus mefenamic acid decreased heavy menstrual period bleeding more than taking mefenamic acid alone. Mefenamic acid is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Another trial of 100 people showed that those who received shepherd's purse extract plus oxytocin immediately after giving birth had less postpartum bleeding than those who only received oxytocin. Oxytocin is a hormone that helps curb 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 like Saint-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's impossible to know how much, if any, effect came from shepherd's purse directly.

Other Uses

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

• Cancer
• Psoriasis
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Liver toxicity
• Hemorrhoids
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

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's 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 menstrual periods

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

Safety

Avoid shepherd's purse if you're allergic to it or its components (parts).

Seek immediate medical attention if you have a severe allergic reaction (itching, hives, shortness of breath).

Side Effects

There's not much data about the side effects of shepherd's purse in humans.

In mice, high doses produced side effects like the following:

• Large pupils
• Sedation
• Slow breathing rate

Side effects in animals may not be applicable to humans.

Interactions

Shepherd's purse may interact with the following medications:

• Sedatives: Shepherd's purse caused sedation and prolonged sleep time in animal models. Be cautious if you use shepherd's purse along with medications like barbiturates such as Phenobarbital, benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam) or Valium (diazepam), or pain medications that also cause sedation. Taken together, these could slow breathing.
• Blood thinners: Shepherd's purse helped stop bleeding, which may decrease the effectiveness of blood thinners like Jantoven (warfarin).

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients are included and how much of each ingredient. Review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

Precautions

Do keep the following precautions in mind when using shepherd's purse:

• Pregnancy: Due to safety concerns, shepherd's purse is not recommended during pregnancy. It has caused infertility in animal models.
• Breastfeeding: There's not enough data to know if shepherd's purse is safe during breastfeeding and, therefore, is not recommended during this time.
• Children: There's not enough data to know if shepherd's purse 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 studied for postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss of over 500 milliliters in 24 hours after giving birth) include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Melatonin
• Grape seed extract
• Dill extract
• Motherwort
• Yarrow
• Nettle
• Black seed (Nigella sativa)
• Date palm

Of note, all of these (except for melatonin) are considered by researchers to be low-potential treatments, meaning they're not likely to help on their own.

Summary

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

Despite its historical uses as an herbal remedy for various conditions, there's little evidence that it's effective. It has been studied in clinical trials for heavy menstrual 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's not enough information to know if it's safe for children or during breastfeeding.