The shepherd's purse, scientific name Capsella bursa-pastoris, is a medicinal plant of the family Brassicaceae. The name is due to the shape of the flowers, very similar to the bag used by shepherds. The plant can be used to treat bleeding, even nasal and uterine, prolonged or heavy menstrual periods, inflammations of the gums with bleeding, bleeding due to hemorrhoids. Moreover, the plant has also astringent properties, which are useful in case of varicose veins and diarrhea. The remedy can be used in the form of brew, decoction, tincture but also sitz baths. Avoid during pregnancy.
Brew
For the astringent action you can leave to infuse in a cup of boiling water 1 teaspoon of shepherd's purse for ten minutes, filter and drink up to two cups a day between meals. In case of emergency such as heavy menstrual periods try to prepare a strong herbal tea of shepherd's purse: bring to boil a liter of water, remove from heat and add a handful of dried plant, leave to brew for an hour and a half, then filter and drink up to 4 cups a day.
Decoction
In case of recurrent and plentiful nose bleeding bring to boil a liter of water and a tablespoon of dried shepherd's purse, leave to boil for a few minutes and then filter. You can drink the decoction, up to three cups a day, or, especially for children, you can soak a cotton ball in the decoction and put it in your nose, it will help to stop the bleeding.
Sitz baths
In case of heavy periods you can use sitz baths prepared by boiling one liter of water, remove it from the heat and add a tablespoon of dry plant, leave to brew for 10 minutes then filter, once lukewarm proceed with the sitz bath.
Mother tincture
For large and irregular menstrual periods you can take 30 drops three times a day in a glass of water in the week before the period for at least three months.
