BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
Also known as: No synonyms listed.
The botanical name, part and preparation must match. A photograph is not enough for identification intended for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
01 · UNDERSTAND
Properties & uses.
Heavy periods: supervised use
Traditional use after medical exclusion of a serious cause. Does not replace investigation of bleeding or anemia.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
02 · UNDERSTAND THE ACTION
How does the plant act?
Shepherd's purse has a very narrowly defined traditional use for heavy menstrual bleeding in women with regular cycles, following medical assessment. The term “hemostatic” is often more assertive than the available data. The initial report found no direct experimental demonstration of this action; subsequent trials raised problems with extract characterization.
Menstrual bleeding
Traditional recognition does not establish a precise coagulation mechanism or the ability to treat all causes of bleeding.
Read the referenceExploratory cellular activities
Constituents or extracts have been studied for inflammation and other functions. These observations alone do not explain a clinical reduction in menstrual bleeding.
Read the referenceWhat this means for preparation.
Assessment of bleeding takes priority. A study in which the plant supplements a medicine does not mean it replaces it, and a poorly defined extract does not provide evidence for an infusion.
03 · EXAMINE THE EVIDENCE
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Trial on heavy menstrual bleeding
- Type of research
- EMA addendum: triple-blind randomized trial in 100 women.
- Preparation concerned
- Hydroalcoholic extract added to mefenamic acid, compared with the control treatment.
- Observed results
- Some changes were reported, but several between-group comparisons were not significant.
- Limitations to consider
- The extract lacked essential characteristics; the study does not demonstrate the effect of the plant used alone.
What can we take from this?
Research on obstetric hemorrhage never constitutes a home use. No hormone-regulating action or correction of anemia is established by this profile.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
04 · CHOOSE A PREPARATION
One plant, several preparations.
Only forms documented in this profile’s sources are presented.
Preparation of aerial partsAerial parts · Route: oral
Only use a product whose package leaflet defines the preparation.
Please note: No recipe or dose is proposed here.
Read the source05 · BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications
- Do not use in cases of known allergy to this plant.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions are not detailed here: have a pharmacist check treatments and the preparation.
Adverse effects
- This entry does not provide an exhaustive list of adverse effects.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Medicinal use is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient data.
Children & adolescents
For adults only.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
06 · PUTTING KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE
Preparations & recipes.
No home recipe is provided in this profile. For an appropriate preparation, refer to the product leaflet and ask your pharmacist for advice.
07 · CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources for this profile.
- EMA — Bursae pastoris herba: official dossierAccessed on 09/10/2026
- ANSES — precautions for plants in food supplements, June 2023 summaryAccessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — addendum to the assessment report on Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Aerial parts)Accessed on 09/10/2026
- EMA — assessment report on Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (Aerial parts)Accessed on 09/10/2026
Illustration: SaltySemanticSchmuck · CC BY-SA 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
A TOUCH OF SOLÉA
Myriam’s tip
Myriam is reviewing the tip for this profile.
Myriam
