Shepard’s Purse
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Botanical Name |
Capsella bursa-pastoris |
|
Family |
Brassicaceae |
|
Other Names |
Shovelweed, St James weed, toywort |
|
Habitat |
Woods, old ruins |
|
Description |
Annual or biennial up to 40cm. Upright, branching stems Basal leaves in rosette Lanceolate, pinnately lobed, sometimes lobed or hairy Flowers: white 2-3mm May-December |
|
Native to |
Worldwide |
|
Parts used |
Aerial parts |
|
Harvesting |
February –October |
|
Actions |
Anti-haemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, astringent, emmenagogue, diuretic |
|
Constituents |
Tyramine, choline acetylcholine, tannin, essential oil, resin, saponins, diosmine, potassium Flavonoids: diosmetin, hesperetin, luteolin, quercetin and their glycosides Glucosinolates: sinigrin Alkaloids and bases: cholinem acetylcholinem histamine, tyramine Volatile oil: camphor Polypeptide Carotenoids, fumaric and bursic acids |
|
Skin |
Chilblains, wounds |
|
Circulatory muscle joint |
Low blood pressure |
|
Genito-urinary |
Kidneys |