Everlasting Gardener
Joanie Lapic
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This Herb is found growing throughout temperate and warm areas, thriving in well-drained, even poor soil, in sun or partial shade. Shepherd’s Purse gets its Latin name from the shape of the seed head, which looks like a little purse. It became established in the USA during European colonization. It sends up a single white-flowered stalk, about 6 to 12 inches high, from a toothed-leaf basal rosette. The above-ground parts can be harvested from late winter to mid-fall. It freely self-seeds.
MEDICINAL ~ Its main characteristic is “astringent”, which makes it valuable for treating diarrhea, wounds, nose bleeds and other conditions. Shepherd’s Purse is one of the best remedies for preventing or arresting hemorrhage, a specific for heavy uterine bleeding . It is a gentle diuretic, making it useful in the case of kidney problems when one needs to get rid of excess water. To use as a simple medicine, Shepherd’s Purse can be taken internally or externally. As a tea, infuse it in hot water for about 15 minutes then strain and drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, the recommendation is about ˝ teaspoon, taken three times a day. To use on the skin, make a poultice or compress with the above-ground parts, or the tea made from them. CULINARY ~ As a culinary herb, the leaves, rich in vitamins A, B and C, may be added to salads or served as a cooked vegetable. The seed pods can be used as seasoning, as they have a peppery flavor. Caution: do not take during pregnancy.
(some information obtained from "Holistic Herbal" by David Hoffmann, and from “The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants” by Andrew Chevallier)
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