shepherd's-purse
Capsella bursa-pastoris · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (536 studies) · ★★★★★
Shepherd's-purse, scientifically known as Capsella bursa-pastoris, is a common annual herb recognized by its distinctive heart-shaped seed pods. Historically valued in traditional medicine, this resilient plant is primarily utilized for its potent hemostatic properties, helping to control bleeding and support vascular health through its rich bioactive compounds.
Names
Common Names
- shepherd's-purse
- Shepherd's Purse
- shepherd’s-purse
- Case Weed
- Common Shepherd's-purse
- Pepper Plant
- Shepher's Tree
- shepherds purse
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Hierba del carbonero
- Bursa bursa-pastoris var bifida
- Zurrón de pastor
- Herba dos dentes
- Bolsa del pastor
- Pimpajaros
- Thlaspi bursa pastoris var microcarpum
- Bursa gracilis
- Devanaeras
- Bursa bursa pastoris var bifida
- Bursa bursa-pastoris var. bifida
- Panquesillo
- Devanaera
- Botilla
- Zurron de pastor
- Capsella polymorpha
- Panyquesillo
- Hierba del cangrejo
- Capsella rubella
- Thlaspi bursa pastoris
- Bolsa de pastor
- Mostuezo
- Thlaspi bursa-pastoris var. microcarpum
- Quesillos
- Bursa bursa pastoris var. bifida
- Thlaspi bursa-pastoris var microcarpum
- Pan y lechuga
- Bursa bursa pastoris
- Zurroncillo
- Cucliyo
- Capsella gracilis
- Capsella bursa pastoris
- Paniqueso
- Thlaspi bursa pastoris var. microcarpum
- Rabanete
- Capsella hyrcana
- Pajito blanco
- Thlaspi bursa-pastoris
- Pan y quesito blanco
- Bursa bursa-pastoris
- Mostaza salvaje
- zurrón de pastor
- Bolsita del pastor
- Mastuerzo
- Pan y Quesito
- bolsa de pastor
- Bolsa del pastor
German:
- Gewöhnliches Hirtentäschel
- Gewöhnliches Hirtentäschelkraut
- Taschenkraut
- Schneiderbeutel
- Schinkenkraut
- Säcklichrut
- Löffeli
- Herzkraut
- Bauernsenf
- Gemeines Hirtentäschen
- Hirtentäschel
- Gewöhnliches Hirtentäschel
- Gemeines Hirtentaeschel
- Hirtentäschelkraut
French:
- bourse-à-pasteur commune
- bourse à pasteur commune
- bourse-à-pasteur
- capselle bourse-à-pasteur
- tabouret
- bourse à pasteur
- capselle à pasteur
- Capselle bourse a pasteur
- Capselle bourse à pasteur
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Capsella bursa-pastorisSynonyms
- Nasturtium bursa-pastoris
- Rodschiedia bursa-pastoris
- Bursa bursa-pastoris
- Thlaspi bursa-pastoris
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Brassicales, it is further categorized under the family Brassicaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Capsella.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Brassicales | WCVP |
| Family | Brassicaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Capsella | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions of Northern Europe. In the northern reaches, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Finland and Iceland. It is also commonly distributed throughout the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. The species further extends its range to include the islands of Føroyaar. Finally, its geographical footprint covers significant portions of Great Britain.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Iceland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Svalbard | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as shepherd's purse, is a small annual herb that is recognized by its distinctive heart-shaped seed pods. The medicinal properties of Capsella bursa-pastoris are primarily found in the aerial parts, which include the leaves, stems, and flowering structures. Additionally, the seeds can be harvested and utilized for their specific therapeutic qualities, making the entire above-ground portion of the plant valuable in traditional herbal medicine.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| seed | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Capsella bursa-pastoris has 61 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include fumaric acid, Antioxidant, As, Ash, BETA-SITOSTEROL.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| fumaric acid | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| As | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ash | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bioelements | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bursine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CALCIUM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CD | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diosmetin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
fumaric acid
- Dr. Duke
- Cancer research
Antioxidant
- Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland)
As
- Chemosphere
Ash
- Dr. Duke
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Dr. Duke
Bioelements
- Nutrients
Bursine
- Dr. Duke
CALCIUM
- Dr. Duke
CD
- Chemosphere
Diosmetin
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Capsella bursa-pastoris has 454 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, 5-HT-Inhibitor, Acaricide, Acidifier.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-HT-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acaricide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidifier | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acidulant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Additive | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenergic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Capsella bursa-pastoris has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Toxoplasma gondii, Wounds and injuries, colon cancer, colorectal cancer, digestive system.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Toxoplasma gondii | Advanced biomedical research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Wounds and injuries | Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | Ecotoxicology and environmental safety (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | Ecotoxicology and environmental safety (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| digestive system | Nutrients (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver fibrosis | Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vaginitis | Medicinski glasnik : official publication of the Medical Association of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Gurgem-7 | Ecotoxicology and environmental safety (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous plant extracts | Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dietary supplement | Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroalcoholic extract | Advanced biomedical research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |