Capsella bursa-pastoris, commonly known as shepherd’s purse, is a flowering plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. It is a biennial herb that grows up to 40 cm in height. The leaves of Capsella bursa-pastoris are alternate and highly variable in shape, ranging from spatula-shaped to deeply lobed. The plant produces small white flowers that are arranged in clusters at the top of slender stems. The flowers of Capsella bursa-pastoris have four petals and six stamens. They also have a distinctive heart-shaped seedpod, which gives the plant its common name “shepherd’s purse.”The seedpods contain numerous tiny seeds that resemble miniature purses, hence the name. These seedpods can be easily identified and are often used for educational purposes in botanical studies. The stems are slender and branching. The roots of the plant are fibrous and relatively shallow, allowing it to thrive in a variety of soil types.
The plant’s flowering pattern and fruiting structure make it a fascinating subject for botanical enthusiasts and researchers.
Furthermore, Capsella bursa-pastoris has both medicinal and culinary uses. In culinary applications, the young leaves of Capsella bursa-pastoris can be used in salads or cooked as a green vegetable.
Habitat & cultivation
Capsella bursa-pastoris is a resilient plant that can thrive in a variety of habitats and environmental conditions. It is commonly found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and gardens, where it quickly colonizes open spaces and establishes itself as a pioneer species. This adaptability makes it a resilient plant in both urban and rural settings.
Use for medicinal purposes
The herbal parts of Capsella bursa-pastoris used for extraction include the leaves and the aerial parts of the plant. It contains several chemical constituents that contribute to its medicinal properties.These include flavonoids, alkaloids, and glucosinolates.These chemical constituents are believed to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects.In addition to its chemical constituents, Capsella bursa-pastoris also contains essential oils, tannins, and phenolic compounds. These compounds contribute to the overall therapeutic potential of the plant and have been the subject of various phytochemical studies.
Traditional medicinal uses
Capsella bursa-pastoris has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine. It has been used for various ailments such as urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, menstrual problems, and respiratory conditions. In some cultures, it is also believed to have diuretic and wound-healing properties.
Constituents
- flavonoids
- alkaloids
- fumaric acid
- glucosinolates
- tannins
- essential oil
Action and application
Recent scientific studies have further explored the potential health benefits of Capsella bursa-pastoris. These studies have shown that the plant’s extracts possess antimicrobial activity against various strains of bacteria and fungi. They have also demonstrated its potential as an anti-inflammatory agent, with the ability to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Clinical trials1 have also explored the plant’s efficacy in wound healing, with promising results indicating its role in promoting tissue regeneration and accelerating the healing process.
The findings from these clinical studies underscore the importance of Capsella bursa-pastoris as a valuable source of natural bioactive compounds with significant health benefits. Moreover, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in these scientific investigations provide a strong scientific basis for the traditional use of this botanical species in herbal medicine.
TAXONOMY
KINGDOM: Plantae
ORDER: Brassicales
FAMILY: Brassicaceae
GENUS: Capsella
SPECIES: Capsella bursa-pastoris
COMMON NAME:
Lady’s purse, shepherd’s bag, mother’s heart, shovelweed, caseweed, borsa de pastor (Spanish), bouse de pasteur (French), Hirtentäschelkraut (German)
FLOWERING TIME:
V – IX month
References:
1 Min, J H., Suh, W S., Lee, T H., Subedi, L., Kim, S Y., & Lee, K R. (2017, June 20). Phenolic Glycosides from Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik and Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity. Molecules/Molecules online/Molecules annual, 22(6), 1023-1023. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules22061023
