Shepherd's purse: medicinal properties and contraindications, what heals, how to brew, how much to take, photo

The healing properties and use of shepherd's purse were relevant even in Ancient Rome. The plant was prized for its ability to stop blood and regulate digestion. To this day, it is used as a natural alternative to medicines.

What does a shepherd's purse look like and where does it grow?

Shepherd's purse is an annual herb of the Cabbage family. Due to its wide distribution throughout the globe, it is called a cosmopolitan plant. The people also call the healing herb a handbag and a core.

The description of the shepherd's purse helps to understand why the plant is so unique. The height of the stem ranges from 20 to 60 cm. Elongated dark green leaves are framed with denticles at the edges. Flowers are located at the top of the plant. They are shaped like small balls and gather in umbrellas. The root of the plant is thin and fusiform.

The shepherd's purse is a picky plant. She lives in areas with temperate and tropical climates. It is found almost everywhere, except for the Arctic. Widespread in Ukraine and Belarus. In Russia, grass is represented in large quantities in Siberia and the Volga region. A photo of the plant can be seen below:

The plant has a bitter odor and a similar taste

The chemical composition of the shepherd's purse

The prevalence of shepherd's purse in folk medicine is explained by its rich composition. It includes biologically active elements involved in the life support processes of the body. The plant is 20% fatty oils. The chemical composition of the handbag includes the following components:

• tannins;
• bursic acid;
• potassium;
• tyramine;
• phytoncides;
• coumarins;
• vitamins of groups B, A, K and C;
• organic acids;
• choline;
• saponins;
• flavonoids;
• essential oils.

The content of tyramine ensures the regulation of the thyroid gland. That is why the plant is able to cope with hormonal problems. Organic acids take part in metabolism and improve the condition of blood vessels. The presence of tannins in the composition stimulates digestion. Due to saponins, shepherd's purse produces a diuretic effect, which allows it to cope with edema.

The abundance of vitamins in the composition has a stimulating effect on the immune system. The anti-inflammatory effect is achieved due to the content of phytoncides. The slight sedative effect of the herb is due to the complex of essential oils.

What heals and properties of shepherd's purse

Shepherd's purse is widely used in the treatment of gynecological diseases. It is often included in hemostatic herbal preparations.For medicinal purposes, both flowers and stems and fruits of the plant are used. The medicinal properties of shepherd's purse include:

• improvement of intestinal motility;
• sedation;
• normalization of the cardiovascular system;
• anti-inflammatory action;
• stopping bleeding;
• removal of puffiness;
• improved appetite;
• anti-febrile effect.

The use of shepherd's purse in folk medicine contains a number of nuances. The result of herbal medicine is cumulative. But with regard to bleeding, an improvement in well-being is observed on the first day of admission.

Practice shows that shepherd's purse helps to cope with gynecological diseases. With its help, inflammatory processes and skin lesions are treated. In some cases, the plant is used for tuberculosis and kidney disease.

Some of the seeds of the handbag can remain in the ground for the winter until the next season.

For women

Due to its medicinal properties, shepherd's purse is widely used in gynecology. In most cases, it is used to normalize the menstrual cycle and increase fertility. The herb is often taken in conjunction with a boar uterus and a red brush. The necessary effect is achieved by normalizing the level of hormones and the hemostatic properties of the plant. Simultaneously with this, the body's immune defense is activated. The healing plant is effective in treating the following diseases:

• endometriosis;
• uterine fibroids;
• postpartum bleeding;
• adnexitis;
• vaginitis;
• symptoms of menopause.

For men

For men, a handbag is prescribed for the treatment of genitourinary diseases. In addition, it helps to increase physical endurance and strengthen the muscular system. An effective folk remedy is a decoction from a handbag and oak bark. It prevents the development of malignant processes in male smokers. Often, a shepherd's bag is used in the presence of prostatitis, urethritis and urolithiasis.

For children

In the absence of contraindications, you can drink a shepherd's bag and children. It is considered an effective cold remedy. Handbag tea is recommended as a preventive measure. It also helps to cope with immune deficiencies and reduced performance. Before use, be sure to consult a pediatrician.

How to take and how much to drink shepherd's bag

There is a specific treatment regimen for each method of using shepherd's purse. The duration of therapy can vary from 3 weeks to 3 months. It directly depends on the degree of neglect of the problem. The most concentrated form of shepherd's purse is tincture. But it should be remembered that due to the alcohol content, it has more contraindications.

Infusion

The healing infusion of the purse has a powerful tonic effect. It copes well with inflammation and normalizes hormone levels.

Components:

• 1 tbsp. l. dry shepherd's purse;
• 200 ml hot water.

Cooking process:

1. The grass is poured into a thermos and filled with water.
2. You need to infuse the drink for at least an hour.
3. After a specified time, the liquid is filtered using a special strainer.

Aqueous decoction of shepherd's purse can be used for douching

Tincture

The herb tincture effectively copes with gynecological diseases. It is recommended to use it for fibroids, endometriosis and inflammatory processes as part of complex therapy.

Ingredients:

• 100 ml of 70% alcohol;
• 10 g handbag.

Recipe:

1. Dry grass is placed in a glass container and poured with alcohol.
2. For 2 weeks, the drink is infused in a dark, dry place.
3. Ready tincture is taken 20-30 drops 2-3 times a day.

An excellent alternative to alcohol tincture will be a pharmacy plant extract

It is forbidden to use alcoholic tincture for chronic diseases of the stomach, liver and kidneys. It is equally important to comply with the dosage, as exceeding it leads to confusion.

Decoction

Shepherd's purse decoction is often used to normalize the emotional state. It has a mild sedative effect. In addition, the drink relieves puffiness, which is important for weight loss.

Components:

• 1 tbsp. l. dried handbag;
• 250 ml of water.

Cooking steps:

1. Raw materials are poured with water and put on fire.
2. After boiling, the medicine is brought to readiness over low heat for 5 minutes.
3. After removing from the heat, the drink is insisted for another half hour.
4. The finished broth is filtered and taken in the required volume.

When consumed before bedtime, the herbal decoction speeds up falling asleep

Tea

Tea from the purse has a tonic effect on the body. It is recommended to take it during the period of decreased immunity. You can add honey to neutralize the bitter taste of the drink. This will enhance its vitamin composition.

Ingredients:

• 200 ml of water;
• 2 tsp shepherd's purse.

Recipe:

1. The kettle is scalded with boiling water, after which a handbag is poured into it.
2. Pour boiling water over the herb and cover with a lid.
3. After 15 minutes of infusion, the drink is poured into cups.

Tea drink works great for diarrhea

The juice

The juice is obtained by grinding fresh leaves of a shepherd's purse using a blender. Beforehand, they are thoroughly washed with running water. The juice diluted with water can be used to gargle and treat skin lesions. Inside, the medicinal drink is taken 35-40 drops 3 times a day. It is effective against diseases of the urinary system and helps the body cleanse itself of toxins.

The juice must be prepared immediately after harvesting the plant.

How to take a shepherd's bag for uterine bleeding

Useful properties allow the herb to be used to stop uterine bleeding. For this purpose, it is often combined with nettle and horsetail. A decoction of herb shepherd's purse take 1 tbsp. l. before eating. Reception is carried out 3-4 times a day. Treatment is carried out until the bleeding disappears completely. This usually takes no more than 3 days. With pronounced uterine bleeding, urgent hospitalization may be required. Therefore, in the absence of positive dynamics, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

How to take a shepherd's bag for endometriosis

Another indication for the use of shepherd's purse is endometriosis. It is characterized by the proliferation of the inner layer of the uterus along the abdominal organs. With endometriosis, atypical bleeding from the genitals appears. In this case, it is recommended to take a tincture of shepherd's purse prepared with wine. Reception is carried out in 1 tbsp. l. 6 times a day. After the treatment course, you should take a break of 1 month.

How to take a shepherd's bag for heavy periods

Experts recommend brewing a shepherd's bag for excessively heavy periods. It not only helps to reduce discharge, but also eliminates pain. The duration of admission in this case is 2-3 days. The medicinal infusion should be drunk at ½ tbsp. 2 times a day. Alcohol tincture should be taken 30-40 drops 4 times a day. Before taking it, it should be diluted in 250 ml of water. Reception is carried out half an hour before meals.

Contraindications

According to the instructions for use, not everyone can take a shepherd's bag. Like other herbs, it has a number of contraindications. If you do not take them into account, you can worsen your well-being without solving the original problem.

Contraindications for shepherd's purse include:

• thrombophlebitis;
• disruption of the thyroid gland;
• allergic reaction;
• chronic kidney disease;
• cardiovascular diseases.

A detailed study deserves not only the benefits, but also the harm of the plant to health. If the dosage is exceeded, problems with blood clotting may occur. In some cases, arterial hypotension develops. In rare cases, the use of the plant provokes constipation. Reception of alcohol tincture can provoke a delay of menstruation by 2-3 days.

The most preferred period for harvesting the plant is late summer.

If, against the background of the treatment of handbags, skin rashes appear, we can talk about intolerance to folk remedies. In this case, the plant is replaced with a more suitable option. During pregnancy, the possibility of taking a shepherd's purse is checked with the doctor on an individual basis. Treatment is allowed only if the benefits outweigh the potential risks. When breastfeeding, the use of a handbag is highly questionable.

Collection and preparation of grass

The shepherd's bag should be collected during the flowering period. It starts in April and ends in September. The collection process is carried out in dry weather. It is advisable to avoid growing areas located close to highways and industrial facilities. The fact is that a plant can absorb toxic substances from the environment. If there is white bloom on the leaves, you do not need to collect it. It indicates infection with a fungal disease.

During the collection process, it is easy to confuse a shepherd's bag with a field bunch. To prevent this from happening, you need to pay attention to the leafy part of the plant. In a shepherd's purse, it resembles dandelion leaves. And the yarutka has more rounded edges. Her seed pods are elliptical, while the handbag has hearts.

The stems of the shepherd's purse are cut along with the leaves and flowers. They must be dried immediately after collection. Otherwise, they will quickly change color and mold. Drying is carried out in the shade provided there is good ventilation. It is advisable to spread the leaves and stems on a flat, open space. An attic is perfect for these purposes. In total, it can take 4-6 days to dry. Store the dried shepherd's bag in paper bags or cloth bags. It is important to protect it from direct sunlight and moisture. Subject to storage conditions, the shelf life is 2 years.

Conclusion

The healing properties and the use of shepherd's purse in folk medicine have a number of nuances. Before carrying out herbal medicine, you need to make sure that there are no contraindications and choose a treatment regimen. In case of side effects, the use of the handbag must be stopped.

Reviews on the use of shepherd's purse in gynecology