For centuries, individuals have practiced herbal medicine to create remedies that can assist in daily health and well-being. So, if you are interested in herbal remedies and want to discover more natural sources that can provide plenty of goodness, you should look into shepherd’s purse. In this article, we will discuss what shepherd’s purse is and how you can benefit from it!
What is shepherd’s purse?
Shepherd’s purse, or Capsella bursa-pastoris, is a flowering plant from Europe. It has spread worldwide and has been used for herbal medicinal for years. Shepherd’s purse generally grows up to around 24 inches and gets its name from their seed pods’ shapes, which look like pouches used by shepherds. It is often described as a weed because it tends to grow in disturbed patches of ground, such as gardens and roadsides, and can grow in various environmental conditions.
What are the benefits of shepherd’s purse on women’s bodies?
There are many benefits that women can gain from taking shepherd’s purse, making it no surprise that it has been traditionally utilised in medicine for years. Whilst scientific research on its impacts is relatively limited, shepherd’s purse is believed to have the common advantages listed below.
- Addresses Postpartum Bleeding
It is thought that shepherd’s purse might be able to address postpartum bleeding after childbirth. Despite this, women should talk to a healthcare professional for suitable management of postpartum bleeding before trying this method.
- Manages Menstrual Issues
Traditional practitioners have frequently utilised shepherd’s purse to help regulate menstrual cycles and specific problems associated with this. The product is believed to have a uterine tonic effect, possibly helping decrease menstrual cramps and excessive bleeding. Furthermore, shepherd’s purse is also believed to promote a regular menstrual flow.
- Promotes Urine Production
This product is sometimes utilised to promote urine production and help with urinary tract infections. After all, shepherd’s purse could assist with flushing out toxins from the urinary tract.
- Relieving Menopausal Symptoms
Shepherd’s purse is sometimes said to relieve menopausal symptoms. These include irregular bleeding and hot flashes.
While shepherd’s purse is said to address a number of women’s health concerns, such as those listed above, more scientific research is needed to confirm the benefits. Individuals should still contact a healthcare professional before taking shepherd’s purse or any other herbal remedy to tackle specific health conditions. After all, healthcare professionals can offer the most appropriate guidance and ensure the best course of action.
How should I consume shepherd’s purse?
If knowing the benefits of shepherd’s purse has made you want to try it, you should also be aware of how to consume it. You can take this resource in a few ways, but the most common ones are listed below.
- Herbal Tea
To take shepherd’s purse in the form of a herbal tea, you should fill a tea ball with around 3 to 4 dried teaspoons of the resource before placing it in a cup. Following this, fill your cup with boiling water and leave the solution for around 2 to 5 minutes, depending on how strong you would like your tea to be. Regarding the dosage, individuals tend to drink this beverage up to two times per day.
- Tablets/Capsules
If you are taking shepherd’s purse capsules or tablets, follow the recommended dosage instructions on the product’s packaging label. These dosages can vary depending on the specific product’s concentration. You may want to start with the lowest recommended dosage and gradually adjust this under the advice of your healthcare professional.
- Tinctures
Like dosages of tablets and capsules, dosages of tinctures can vary depending on the extract’s concentration. You should follow the recommended dosage on the packaging’s instructions, although the range is typically 1 to 4 millilitres diluted in water, consumed up to 3 times per day.
If you are unsure about the dosage you should take in any of the above methods, contact your healthcare professional or qualified herbalist for additional advice and guidance. These professionals can help guide you on your specific case concerning dosage recommendations and details on how shepherd’s purse may interact with your other medications.
What should I consider before taking shepherd’s purse?
As with any herbal remedy, you should keep some things in mind when taking shepherd’s purse. After all, it could cause some potential side effects. These include:
- Blood clots
- Allergic reactions
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Interactions with other drugs
There are also some uncertainties about side effects in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Therefore, it’s always best to use shepherd’s purse cautiously and contact your doctor about consuming it.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it. We hope you now have a better idea about what shepherd’s purse is about, what benefits you can gain from it as a woman, and how you should take it. This herbal remedy is bursting with possible advantages, making it no surprise that it has been used in traditional medicine throughout history.
If you want to target a particular health condition or boost your daily well-being, taking shepherd’s purse could be just the solution you’ve been looking for. If you want to find out what other herbs and supplements could assist you, don’t hesitate to contact us!
