Capsella bursa-pastoris

Capsella bursa-pastoris, commonly known as shepherd's purse or lady's purse, is a small flowering plant in the mustard family. It has been described as a protocarnivore because its seeds contain mucilage, which traps nematodes. The plant is native to Eurasia but is naturalized and considered a common weed in many parts of the world, especially in colder climates. It has a number of culinary uses.

Description

A cabbage family herb. It is an annual plant or it can take 2 years to complete its life cycle. The stem is erect. It grows to 60 cm high. It has a rosette of leaves near the base. The leaves vary in shape and are toothed along the edge. The upper leaves are smaller, sword shaped and without stalks. The flowers are white. They are in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit is a flat, triangular, pod.

Edible Uses

Young leaves eaten raw or cooked make a fine addition to salads, and work as a substitute for cress or cabbage; they become more peppery with age. Leaves are generally available year-round and can also be dried for later use. They contain about 2.9% protein, 0.2% fat, 3.4% carbohydrate, and 1% ash, and are rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin C. On a dry weight basis, leaves provide 280 calories per 100g, with 35.6g protein, 4.2g fat, 44.1g carbohydrate, 10.2g fibre, and 16.1g ash; minerals include 1763mg calcium, 729mg phosphorus, 40.7mg iron, and 3939mg potassium; vitamins include 21,949mg vitamin A, 2.12mg thiamine, 1.44mg riboflavin, 3.4mg niacin, and 305mg vitamin C. Young flowering shoots can be eaten raw or cooked; they are thin and fiddly but quite acceptable in flavour and are available at most times of year. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked, or ground into a meal for use in soups; it is very small and fiddly to harvest. The seed contains 35% of an edible fatty oil that can be extracted. The seedpods serve as a peppery seasoning for soups and stews. The fresh or dried root is used as a ginger substitute.

Traditional Uses

The young tender leaves are cooked and used as a vegetable. They are also used in stir fried dishes and soups and stews. They can also be eaten raw in salads. They need to be gathered before the flowers appear. They are dried and used for tea drinks. The dried seed pods give a pepper like flavouring. They are used as a spice. The fresh or dried roots can be used as a ginger substitute. Caution: It is not recommended during pregnancy. It can cause miscarriages.

Medicinal Uses

Shepherd's purse sees limited use in formal herbalism but is a well-established domestic remedy, particularly effective for both internal and external bleeding and diarrhoea. A tea made from the whole plant is antiscorbutic, astringent, diuretic, emmenagogue, haemostatic, hypotensive, oxytocic, stimulant, vasoconstrictive, vasodilatory, and vulnerary. A tea from the dried herb is considered a sovereign remedy against haemorrhages from the stomach, lungs, uterus, and especially the kidneys. The plant may be used fresh or dried; for drying it is harvested in summer. Dried herb loses effectiveness quickly and should not be stored for more than a year. Clinical trials on its effectiveness as a wound herb have been inconclusive — effectiveness may vary considerably from batch to batch, or a white fungus commonly found on the plant may be responsible for some medicinal activity. The plant ranked 7th among 250 potential anti-fertility plants studied in China and has proven uterine-contracting properties with a traditional role during childbirth. It is a folk remedy for cancer and contains fumaric acid, which has markedly reduced the growth and viability of Ehrlich tumour in mice. A homeopathic remedy made from the fresh plant is used for nosebleeds and urinary calculus. The German Commission E Monographs approve shepherd's purse for nosebleeds, premenstrual syndrome, and wounds and burns.

Distribution

It grows in temperate and subtropical places. In Nepal it grows to 4,800 m altitude. It grows best in moist soils. It grows in higher rainfall areas. It is resistant to frost and drought. It survives the winter snow. In Zimbabwe it grows between 1,490-1,920 m above sea level. In Yunnan. In Sichuan.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Alaska, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Burundi, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chile, China, Congo, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe, Falklands, Finland, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Norway, Pacific, Pakistan, Paraguay, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sicily, Sikkim, Slovenia, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds can lie dormant in the soil for 30 years.

Propagation

Sow seed in situ from February to May, or as late as mid-autumn. As a common weed of disturbed ground, the plant does not normally need any assistance to maintain itself.

Other Uses

When placed in water, the seed releases a gummy substance that binds mosquitoes' mouthparts to the seed and also releases a substance toxic to larvae; half a kilo of seed is said to be capable of killing 10 million larvae. Plants can be grown on salty or marshy land to reclaim it, absorbing salt and sweetening the soil over time. Birds are very fond of the seeds. The plant acts as a dynamic accumulator and is pollinated primarily by small bees, hoverflies, and other generalist insects, with some self-pollination also occurring. Seeds are dispersed by wind shaking, disturbance, or water movement, and the plant provides early-season nectar and pollen for small insects.

Production

The seeds contain 15-20% oil.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. Leaves are sold in vegetable markets in Asia. Young plants are considered a delicacy in China. It is cultivated in some places. It is commonly used in Anatolia, Turkey.

Notes

There are 5 Capsella species. It is the second most common weed on earth. It produces a temporary drop in blood pressure. Chemical composition (leaves ?): Protein = 2.9%. Fat = 0.2%. Carbohydrate = 1.0%; (seeds): Fatty oil = 35.2%. Amino acid = 74.8% - high in Arginine, Aspartic acid, and Cysteine. The plant is reported to contain significant quantities of Vitamin C, lime, and iron; and moderate amounts of Vitamins A, and B1.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

A zu o qi, Badman’s Oatmeal, Bhursa di picararu, Bicibici, Bit otu, Bo bo lei zhu, Bo guo guo, Bolsa de pastor, Borsa del pastore, Camarak, Capsell, Chalne, Chamso, Chamsure jhar, Cha-tsho-thamh, Chhyamachhyaru, Chibotey, Chinese cress, Chiri halian, Chmso, Chorrontelas, Cimlik, Coban cantasi, Cocowort, Derelahanasi, Devanaeras, Didicai, Entanenga, Erba de poute, Gjetertaske, Hiirekorv, Insalata selvaggia, Ireqerece, Jag-jag, Jangli sarson, Kazayagi, Kazbagsi, Kokoska pastusi tobolka, Kralmund, Kusayagi, Kusekmegi, Kuseppegi, Kuskus, Lady's purse, Laihyane, Leylek biti, Medik, Mother's heart, Naengi, Naeng-i, Nana shuwaan, Nanchevik, Nazuna, Non mircikon, Odelia, Pastariz, Pasztortaska, Pironek, Pirxalack, Qi, Raslet, Rusomaca, Sarmay, Shamsho, Shepherd's heart, Simlik, Sog-karpu, Sokapa, Sokawa, Sumacka, Surlin, Surljan, Surljen, Susanka, Tori ghans, Tori jhar, Traista ciobanului, Triskiaute, Ts’its’mat’ura, Tstapashar, Tuntkya, Water chestnut vegetable, Zengil zava, Zijisuana, Zvakide

References (179)

• Abbet, C., et al, 2014, Ethnobotanical survey on wild alpine food plants in Lower and Central Valais (Switzerland). Journal of Ethnopharmacology 151 (2014) 624–634
• Agarwal, R. & Chandra, V., 2019, Diversity of wild edible plants in the Mandal-Chopta forest, Uttarakhand. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(1): 89-92
• Ahmad, I., et al, 2011, Ethnobotanical Study of Tehsil Kabal, Swat District, KPK, Pakistan. Hindawi Publishing Corporation Journal of Botany Volume 2011, Article ID 368572, 9 pages
• Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 1344
• Ambasta S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 103

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