FWD 2 Expanded Commission E: Shepherd's Purse

Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E

Shepherd's Purse

Latin Name: Capsella bursa pastoris
Pharmacopeial Name: Bursae pastoris herba
Other Names: pick-pocket, witches' pouches

Overview

Shepherd's purse is a small annual or biennial herb native to Europe (Karnick, 1994), found growing as a weed in farmland, fallow land, and along roadsides worldwide (Wichtl, 1996). It is also cultivated in India (Karnick, 1994) and other temperate and warm regions around the world (Bown, 1995). The material of commerce is collected mainly from wild plants in southeastern Europe (BHP, 1996), particularly from Bulgaria, Hungary, former Yugoslavia, and the former U.S.S.R. (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).

The use of shepherd's purse as a food dates back at least eight thousand years. Archaeobotanical remains containing shepherd's purse seeds were recovered during excavation of the Catal Huyuk site in Turkey (ca. 5950 B.C.E.). Seeds were also recovered from the stomach of the Tollund man (ca. 500 B.C.E.400 C.E.) (Bown, 1995). Its common name is derived from the purse shape of the plant's seed pods. Traditionally, shepherd's purse has been used as an antihemorrhagic agent and to treat diarrhea and acute cystitis (Newall et al., 1996). Nineteenth century American Eclectic physicians used shepherd's purse to treat hematuria (blood in the urine) and menorrhagia and as an external treatment for bruises, strains, and arthritis (Ellingwood, 1983). The plant was used during World War I to stop hemorrhaging when other medicines were not available. Through the end of the nineteenth century and well into the twentieth, traditional herbalists used shepherd's purse for inflammation of the genitourinary tract, for cystitis accompanied by white discharge (Grieve, 1979), to stop hemorrhage following childbirth, and internal bleeding in the lungs and colon (Hutchens, 1991).

Clinical studies that correlate with pharmacological studies to humans have not been conducted. Use during heavy menstrual bleeding, however, seems justified through empirical evidence. Efforts to determine a bioactive hemostatic principle in shepherd's purse point to an unspecified peptide (Schulz et al., 1998). Most recently, shepherd's purse has been investigated for its possible use as a biomonitor of heavy metals contamination in the environment. The authors of this study reported that it may become a particularly useful plant for monitoring short-term changes in pollution levels in urban areas (Aksoy et al., 1999).

In Germany, shepherd's purse is approved in the Commission E monographs (BAnz, 1998) and the tea form is official in the Standard License monographs (Braun et al., 1997) for treatment of menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, and nosebleeds. In extract form, it is found in a few anti-dysmenorrhea drugs (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994). An ethanolic infusion of the dried aerial parts is also official in the German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP, 1993). Its modern uses in Indian Ayurvedic medicine (Karnick, 1994) and in traditional Chinese medicine (Huang, 1999) are closely comparable to its approved uses in Germany. In China, a decoction of the dried whole plant is used as an antihypertensive drug and also as a hemostatic agent for treatment of chyluria (fat globules in the urine) and hematuria (Huang, 1999).

Pharmacopeial grade shepherd's purse consists of the dried, aerial parts of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medikus, harvested near the end of the flowering period when the seed pods are present. Botanical identification must be confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), macroscopic and microscopic examinations, and organoleptic evaluations. It must contain not less than 12% water-soluble extractive (BHP, 1996). The German Standard License requires that it consist of the quickly dried aerial parts, collected from dry locations during high summer, containing not less than 18% water-soluble extractive. Botanical identification must be confirmed by TLC, macroscopic and microscopic examinations, and organoleptic evaluations (Braun et al., 1997).

Description

Shepherd's purse herb consists of the fresh or dried, aboveground parts of C. bursa pastoris (L.) Medikus [Fam. Cruciferae] and its preparations in effective dosage.

Chemistry and Pharmacology

Shepherd's purse contains flavonoids, including luteolin and quercetin 7-rutinosides and luteolin 7-galactoside; glucosinolates (e.g., sinigrin) (Iurisson, 1973; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994); minerals, including relatively high amounts of potassium salts; amino acids (e.g., proline); a peptide with hemostyptic action (Park, 1967; Wichtl and Bisset, 1994); bursic acid, citric acid; vitamins A and K (Huang, 1999); approximately 0.02% volatile oil (e.g., camphor) (Miyazawa et al., 1979). The previously reported occurrence of biogenetic amines and saponins is disputed (Wichtl, 1996).

In pharmacological studies, shepherd's purse has been found to have anti-inflammatory and diuretic actions. Intraperitoneal administration of shepherd's purse extract to rats blocked the formation of stress-induced ulcers and reduced recovery time (Kuroda and Takagi, 1969). Antineoplastic, central nervous system-depressant, and hypotensive effects have also been observed, and in vitro tests have shown smooth-muscle stimulant effects. Cardiac activity includes increased coronary blood flow, negative chronotropic effects, positive inotropic effects, and coronary vasodilation in laboratory animals (Kuroda and Takagi, 1969; Iurisson, 1971).

The Commission E reported muscarine-like effects with dose-dependent lowering and elevation of blood pressure, positive inotropic and chronotropic cardiac effects, and increased uterine contraction; parenteral application only.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported anti-hemorrhagic action (BHP, 1996). In vitro studies conclude that shepherd's purse acts as a smooth muscle stimulant (Kuroda and Takagi, 1969; Iurisson, 1971).

Uses

The Commission E approved the internal use of shepherd's purse for symptomatic treatment of mild menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. Topical application is approved for nosebleeds and its external use is also approved for superficial skin wounds and bruising.

The German Standard License for shepherd's purse tea indicates its use as supportive treatment for nosebleeds and excessive menstrual bleeding (Braun et al., 1997). In India, it is applied topically to injured varicose veins as an antihemorrhagic agent (Karnick, 1994).

Contraindications

Individuals with a history of kidney stones should use cautiously (McGuffin et al., 1997).

Side Effects

None known.

Use During Pregnancy and Lactation

Not recommended during pregnancy (McGuffin et al., 1997). No restrictions known during lactation.

Interactions with Other Drugs

None known.

Dosage and Administration

Unless otherwise prescribed: 10-15 g per day of cut herb for tea and other equivalent galenical preparations for internal use and 5-8 g per day for topical use.

Internal:

Infusion: Steep 2-4 g in 150 ml boiled water for 15 minutes, two to four times daily between meals (Braun et al., 1997; Meyer-Buchtela, 1999).

Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml), in 25% alcohol: 1-4 ml, three times daily (BHP, 1983; Karnick, 1994; Newall et al., 1996).

Note: Excessive doses of the extract may cause heart palpitations (McGuffin et al., 1997).

Topical use:

Infusion: Steep 3-5 g in 180 ml (3/4 cup) boiled water for 10 to 15 minutes (Commission E), applied to injured area (Karnick, 1994).

Fluidextract: daily dosage: 5-8 g (Erg.B.6), applied to injured area (Karnick, 1994).

References

Aksoy, A., W.H. Hale, J.M. Dixon. 1999. Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic. as a biomonitor of heavy metals. Sci Total Environ 226(23):177186.

BAnz. See Bundesanzeiger.

Bown, D. 1995. Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses. New York: DK Publishing, Inc. 99, 254.

Braun, R. et al. 1997. Standardzulassungen f r FertigarzneimittelText and Kommentar. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP).1983. Keighley, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP). 1996. Exeter, U.K.: British Herbal Medicine Association. 169170.

Bundesanzeiger (BAnz). 1998. Monographien der Kommission E (Zulassungs- und Aufbereitungskommission am BGA f r den humanmed. Bereich, phytotherapeutische Therapierichtung und Stoffgruppe). Kln: Bundesgesundheitsamt (BGA).

Ellingwood, F. 1983. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications [reprint of 1919 original].

Ergnzungsbuch zum Deutschen Arzneibuch, 6th ed. (Erg.B.6). 1953. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia (GHP). 1993. Translation of the German Homopathisches Arzneibuch (HAB 1), 5th suppl. 1991 to the 1st ed. 1978. Stuttgart. Deutscher Apotheker Verlag. 273274.

Grieve, M. 1979. A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

Huang, K.C. 1999. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs, 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 354.

Hutchens, A. 1991. Indian Herbology of North America. Boston: Shambala.

Iurisson, S. 1971. [Determination of active substances of Capsella bursa pastoris] [In Russian]. Tartu Riiliku Ulikooli Toim (270):7179.

_____. 1973. [Flavonoid substances of Capsella bursa pastoris (L.) Medic] [In Russian]. Farmatsiia (Moscow) 22(5):3435.

Karnick, C.R. 1994. Pharmacopoeial Standards of Herbal Plants, Vols. 12. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications. Vol. 1:8687; Vol. 2:119.

Kuroda, K. and K. Takagi. 1969. Studies on Capsella bursa pastoris. II. Diuretic, anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer action of ethanol extracts of the herb. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 178(2):392399.

McGuffin, M., C. Hobbs, R. Upton, A. Goldberg. 1997. American Herbal Product Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 23.

Meyer-Buchtela, E. 1999. Tee-RezepturenEin Handbuch f r Apotheker und rzte. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

Miyazawa, M., A. Uetake, H. Kameoka. 1979. [The constituents of the essential oils from Capsella bursa-pastoris Medik] [In Japanese]. Yakugaku Zasshi 99(10):10411043.

Newall, C.A., L.A. Anderson, J.D. Phillipson. 1996. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical Press. 245246.

Park, R.J. 1967. The occurrence of mustard oil glucosides in Lepidium hyssopifolium, L. bonariense, and Capsella bursa-pastoris. Aust J Chem 20:27992801.

Schulz, V., R. Hnsel, V.E. Tyler. 1998. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. New York: Springer.

Wichtl, M. and N.G. Bisset (eds.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers. 112114.

Wichtl, M. 1996. Monographien-Kommentar. In: Braun, R. et al. 1997. Standardzulassungen f r FertigarzneimittelText and Kommentar. Stuttgart: Deutscher Apotheker Verlag.

Additional Resources

Farnsworth, N.R., A.S. Bingel, G.A. Cordell, F.A. Crane, H.H. Fong. 1975. Potential value of plants as sources of new antifertility agents I. J Pharm Sci 64(4):535598.

Kuroda, K. and K. Takagi. 1969. Studies on Capsella bursa pastoris. I. General pharmacology of ethanol extract of the herb. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 178(2):382391.

Kuroda, K. and K. Takagi. 1968. Physiologically active substance in Capsella bursa-pastoris. Nature 220(168):707708.

Moerman, D.E. 1998. Native American Ethnobotany. Portland, OR: Timber Press. 136.

Wichtl, M. (ed.). 1989. Teedrogen, 2nd ed. Stuttgart: Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft.

Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex: The C.W. Daniel Company Ltd.

This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E MonographsTherapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications.

1) The Overview section is new information.

2) Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references.

3) The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example:

  • Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part]
  • Infusion: 2 g in 150 ml of water
  • Fluidextract 1:1 (g/ml): 2 ml
  • Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 10 ml

4) The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes.

This monograph, published by the Commission E in 1994, was modified based on new scientific research. It contains more extensive pharmacological and therapeutic information taken directly from the Commission E.

Excerpt from Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs
Copyright 2000 American Botanical Council
Published by Integrative Medicine Communications
Available from the American Botanical Council.