Shepherd’s purse is used in supplements and traditional medication for various purposes, including reducing bleeding and inflammation. But there’s limited evidence to support many of its uses.

Shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) is sold dried or as a supplement in liquid, capsule, or tablet form. Read on to learn what the research says about the plant’s medicinal properties.

Shepherd’s purse is a flowering plant in the mustard family. It grows all over the world and is one of the most common wildflowers on Earth. Its name comes from its small triangular fruits, which resemble a purse. Other names for it include:

  • toothwort
  • mother’s heart
  • St. James’ weed
  • witch’s pouch

The strongest evidence of the health qualities of shepherd’s purse concerns its effect on hemorrhage or bleeding.

For example, a 2017 study of 100 women with postpartum hemorrhage found that the hormone oxytocin reduced bleeding in one group. But another group taking both oxytocin and 10 drops of shepherd’s purse extract experienced a significantly greater decrease.

In addition, a 2018 study of 84 women also found that those taking the anti-inflammatory drug mefenamic acid along with 1,280 milligrams (mg) of shepherd’s purse extract daily during their menstrual period experienced significantly less menstrual bleeding than those who only took mefenamic acid.

Finally, another 2022 animal study looking into ways to reduce bleeding during liver surgery examined the effect of a traditional Turkish herbal mixture of false yellowhead (Inula viscosa) and shepherd’s purse.

The researchers tested the mixture on rats with liver lacerations and found that it effectively controlled bleeding, resulting in less blood loss and less inflammation and necrosis compared with other treatments.

That said, similar research is needed in humans. In addition, in those studies where shepherd’s purse was combined with another ingredient, the researchers didn’t differentiate between their effects.

Inflammation and heart health

There’s also some recent evidence regarding the plant’s anti-inflammatory properties. In a 2019 study, researchers found that shepherd’s purse may be able to reduce the production of harmful compounds in the body and also stop certain inflammatory processes by stopping certain pathways in the body.

Another 2023 study explored whether shepherd’s purse hot water extract can help reduce heart damage caused by the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin. The study found that the plant may be able to help by reducing oxidative stress, which can be related to inflammation.

However, shepherd’s purse contains various compounds, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, sterols, fatty acids, and amino acids, and the researchers didn’t identify which specific compounds might be responsible for this effect.

Other benefits

Shepherd’s purse may also have various other medicinal uses. Examples include:

Other possible benefits that aren’t supported by scientific research include:

  • helping prevent ulcers
  • helping reduce swelling
  • helping treat vomiting
  • helping reduce blood pressure
  • helping treat urinary tract infections (UTIs)

But many of these benefits are only mentioned in limited older research, often based on test tube or animal studies, so more recent studies on human subjects are needed to verify these conclusions.

Some older research in mice found that the side effects of shepherd’s purse may include drowsiness, shortness of breath, and pupil enlargement, but these haven’t been replicated in human studies.

Since there are no human studies regarding the herb’s safety and efficacy, you may experience side effects that are not listed here.

In addition, the plant could interact with certain medications. For example, combining this herb with sedatives or other sedating drugs like barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or certain pain relievers could worsen drowsiness and breathing difficulties.

Because shepherd’s purse may affect blood clotting, it’s best to avoid it if you’re taking blood thinners or have any circulatory issues.

This is also why you may wish to stop using it a few weeks prior to any surgery to ensure that it does not interfere with your body’s natural blood clotting ability.

You should also avoid it if you have thyroid problems, as it can affect thyroid function.

There’s also no data to confirm whether the plant is safe for pregnant or nursing women.

There’s no evidence for complications or withdrawal symptoms in humans from suddenly stopping shepherd’s purse. That said, in rats, short-term toxicity of the herb involves sedation, pupil enlargement, limb paralysis, trouble breathing, and death.

The amounts that caused an overdose in these rats were exceptionally high and given via injection, so it would likely be difficult — but theoretically not impossible — for a human to overdose on the herb.

Still, given the slight risk of overdose, people with kidney disease should consult their healthcare professional before using shepherd’s purse. It’s unknown if it can accumulate in those with damaged kidneys.

Due to a lack of evidence, there’s also no available guidance on an appropriate dosage for shepherd’s purse. You should only take the recommended dose on your supplement packaging. That said, even at the listed dosage, the evidence for safety is very limited.

Some alternatives, including lady’s mantle and yarrow, may provide benefits similar to those of the shepherd’s purse. Still, as is the case with the shepherd’s purse, research on these supplements is limited.

Lady’s mantle is a flowering plant that may promote wound healing. Some claims also suggest that it may help decrease abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding. That said, the available evidence only discusses wound bleeding. No direct evidence of an effect on menstrual bleeding exists.

Yarrow is another flowering plant that may assist with wound healing and normalize menstruation. However, more research is needed to better understand its benefits.

Given their similar effects, shepherd’s purse is often paired with these two supplements in teas or tinctures.

Shepherd’s purse is a flowering plant from the mustard family often sold dried as a supplement in liquid, capsule, or tablet form. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, but there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness.

It may also have potential side effects, particularly if taken with certain medications. As herbal dietary supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it’s a good idea to ask your doctor before trying them.