The efficacy and function of shepherd's purse

The medical value of shepherd's purse is beyond our imagination. It is very effective in treating some diseases. Shepherd's purse contains many substances that are beneficial to the human body. Let's take a look.

[Alias] Stinky Su, Green and White Su (Bencao Gangmu).

[Source] The stems and leaves of Capsella tataricus, a plant of the Lamiaceae family. Harvested in summer and autumn.

[Original form] Annual herb, 20 to 50 cm tall. The stem is 4-angled, and the upper part and the middle axis of the inflorescence are glabrous except for the nodes, or sparsely covered with long white hairs. Leaves are opposite; leaf blades are ovate, broadly ovate or rhombus-ovate, 1 to 3 cm long, 1 to 2.5 cm wide, with sharp tips, cuneate bases, and coarsely serrated edges; petioles are 5 to 15 mm long. The raceme is 3-7 cm long, with flowers arranged loosely, and short white hairs on the axial nodes of the inflorescence; the pedicels are 2-3 mm long; the calyx is bell-shaped, 5-lobed, sparsely hairy, about 3 mm long, and expands when fruiting, with 2-lipped lobes and broad teeth on the upper lip; the corolla is lip-shaped, 4 mm long, white, with a short upper lip, slightly concave at the apex, and a 3-lobed lower lip; there are 4 stamens, 2 of which are degenerate; the style is attached to the base of the ovary. The nutlets are oval and the reticulation is not obvious. Flowering period is autumn.

[Habitat distribution] Growing in riverside grasslands and bushes. Distributed in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Shandong and Northeast China.

[Chemical composition] The whole plant contains 0.11-0.5% essential oil. The main components of the essential oil are methyl eugenol accounting for about 90%, l-bisabolene accounting for about 4%, and α-caryophyllene accounting for about 2%.

【Nature and flavor】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "pungent, warm, non-toxic."

【Meridian】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Enter the hand and foot yangming meridians."

【Functions and indications】 ① "Compendium of Materia Medica": "It can be used to treat ant fistulas. Crush it and apply it on the affected area. It can also treat cold diarrhea. It can be used as a vegetable to remove acid in the stomach."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Everyone should know about the medicinal value of shepherd's purse. We should pay more attention to information in this area so that we can be prepared when encountering problems and not panic.