What are the functions and benefits of shepherd's purse?

Apr 17, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Ziqi

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, shepherd's purse has various functions and benefits, including soothing the liver and improving vision, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, lowering blood lipids and blood pressure, stopping bleeding, and aiding digestion. Although shepherd's purse offers multiple health benefits, it should be consumed in moderation. Excessive consumption may lead to increased intestinal motility and cause discomfort such as vomiting and diarrhea. Particularly for individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, excessive intake should be avoided to prevent exacerbation of their condition.

Generally speaking, shepherd's purse has effects and functions such as soothing the liver and improving vision, promoting diuresis and reducing edema, lowering blood lipids and blood pressure, stopping bleeding, and enhancing digestion. The specific details are as follows:

1. Soothe the liver and improve vision

Shepherd's purse also has the effect of soothing the liver and improving vision. It can eliminate liver heat and alleviate symptoms caused by excessive liver heat, such as dizziness, headache, and blurred vision. Additionally, the nutritional components in shepherd's purse help protect eye health.

2. Promote diuresis and reduce edema

Shepherd's purse contains dietary fiber, vitamins, and alkaloid substances. These components can regulate the contraction of the uterus, intestines, and other smooth muscles, accelerate the metabolism of excess water in the body, prevent fluid retention, and thus improve symptoms such as body edema and difficulty in urination.

3. Lower blood lipids and blood pressure

Shepherd's purse contains acetylcholine, which helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood and liver, thereby achieving the purpose of lowering lipids and blood pressure. It aids in the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

4. Stop bleeding

Shepherd's purse is rich in neriin (or shepherd's purse acid), an effective hemostatic component that can shorten bleeding and coagulation time, reduce capillary permeability, improve capillary bleeding, and effectively alleviate symptoms such as hematemesis, hematochezia, and excessive menstrual bleeding in women.

5. Enhance digestion

Shepherd's purse is high in dietary fiber, which can stimulate intestinal peristalsis, accelerate the elimination of metabolic waste, and improve constipation. At the same time, its volatile substances can promote gastric juice secretion and aid in food digestion.

Although shepherd's purse has multiple effects and benefits, it should still be consumed in moderation. Excessive consumption may cause increased intestinal motility and lead to discomfort symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea. In particular, individuals with deficiency-cold syndrome of the spleen and stomach should avoid excessive consumption to prevent worsening of their condition. Additionally, when using shepherd's purse as a traditional Chinese medicine, it should be taken under the guidance of a physician to avoid blindly self-medicating.

View All

What are the benefits and functions of zinc and selenium tablets?

Under normal circumstances, zinc and selenium tablets, as common nutritional supplements, have benefits and functions that mainly include maintaining immune system function, promoting reproductive health, supporting growth and development, protecting vision health, and participating in metabolic regulation. When using these supplements, it is important to take an appropriate dosage based on individual needs, avoid excessive intake, and complement supplementation with a balanced diet to obtain nutrients naturally.

View Full Answer

What are the efficacy and effects of Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid?

Generally, Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid, as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine, has functions and effects mainly including clearing heat and detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and reducing swelling, relieving throat discomfort, improving skin inflammation, and assisting in the treatment of respiratory tract infections. When using Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid, it is important to differentiate the syndrome for appropriate use; it should not be used for wind-cold type colds. Additionally, dosage and duration of use must strictly follow the instructions or medical advice.

View Full Answer

What are the efficacy and effects of Huahong tablets?

Generally, Huahong tablets, as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine in clinical practice, have main functions and effects including clearing heat and promoting diuresis, drying dampness and stopping leukorrhea, promoting blood circulation to relieve pain, reducing inflammation and inhibiting bacteria, and improving gynecological inflammations. Before using Huahong tablets, it is important to clearly identify your symptoms and indications for use, strictly follow the instructions or doctor's advice when taking the medication, and pay attention to dietary restrictions and monitoring of adverse reactions during treatment.

View Full Answer

What are the efficacy and effects of Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride?

The common dosage forms of Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride include tablets and injections. Generally, the main functions and effects of Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride are its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, treatment of respiratory tract infections, treatment of urinary and genital system infections, treatment of skin and soft tissue infections, and treatment of intra-abdominal infections. When using Moxifloxacin Hydrochloride, the dosage and duration of treatment must be strictly determined according to medical instructions, and should not be adjusted by oneself.