The Efficacy and Functions of Shepherd's Purse, and Its Contraindications
Apr 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Shepherd's purse contains shepherds purse acid, an effective hemostatic component that promotes blood coagulation and shortens bleeding time. It can be used as an adjunct in the treatment of various hemorrhagic conditions such as hematemesis, hemoptysis, hematochezia, and hematuria, and also provides some relief for excessive menstrual bleeding in women. Shepherd's purse acts on the liver meridian, offering functions of clearing liver fire and improving vision. It helps alleviate symptoms such as red, swollen, and painful eyes, as well as blurred vision caused by excessive liver fire.
The functions and benefits of shepherd's purse generally include hemostasis and coagulation, clearing liver and improving vision, diuresis and reducing edema, enhancing immunity, and promoting digestion. Contraindications include avoiding consumption by those allergic to it, limiting intake by individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold, cautious consumption by pregnant women, limited consumption by those with hypotension, and avoiding simultaneous consumption with certain medications.
I. Functions and Benefits
1. Hemostasis and Coagulation: Shepherd's purse contains荠菜酸 (a kind of carotene acid), an effective hemostatic component that can promote blood coagulation and shorten bleeding time. It may be used as an adjunct in treating various hemorrhagic conditions such as hematemesis, hemoptysis, melena, and hematuria. It can also help alleviate excessive menstrual bleeding in women.
2. Clearing Liver and Improving Vision: Shepherd's purse acts on the liver meridian, offering effects of clearing liver fire and improving vision. It can relieve symptoms such as red, swollen, and painful eyes and blurred vision caused by excessive liver fire. Regular consumption of shepherd's purse helps protect the eyes and may provide certain ocular health benefits, especially for people who use their eyes extensively.
3. Diuresis and Reducing Edema: Shepherd's purse has a diuretic effect, increasing urine output and promoting the elimination of excess water and salt from the body, thus reducing edema. It has certain dietary therapeutic benefits for conditions such as nephritis edema, hepatic cirrhosis ascites, and cardiogenic edema, helping to improve imbalances in the body's fluid metabolism.
4. Enhancing Immunity: Shepherd's purse is rich in antioxidant substances such as vitamin C and flavonoids, along with various minerals, which can enhance the body's immunity. Vitamin C promotes antibody synthesis, while flavonoids have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to improve the body's resistance and prevent diseases.
5. Promoting Digestion: Shepherd's purse contains abundant dietary fiber, which can promote intestinal peristalsis, increase stool volume, aid defecation, and prevent constipation. At the same time, it can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, enhance gastrointestinal digestion, and help improve digestive disorders.
II. Contraindications
1. Contraindicated for allergic individuals: Some people may be allergic to shepherd's purse, and symptoms after consumption may include skin itching, swelling, rashes, or accompanied by shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These individuals should avoid consuming shepherd's purse.
2. Limited consumption for individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold: Shepherd's purse is cool in nature, and excessive consumption by individuals with spleen and stomach deficiency-cold may worsen symptoms of deficiency-cold, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and indigestion. Consumption should be limited or avoided.
3. Cautious consumption by pregnant women: Shepherd's purse has a certain uterine-stimulating effect. Excessive consumption by pregnant women may stimulate uterine contractions, increasing the risk of miscarriage, especially for women with a history of habitual miscarriage, who should consume it cautiously.
4. Limited consumption by individuals with hypotension: Shepherd's purse has a blood pressure-lowering effect. Excessive consumption by individuals with hypotension may further lower blood pressure, causing symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue, which are detrimental to health.
5. Avoid simultaneous consumption with certain medications: Shepherd's purse may interact with certain medications, affecting their efficacy. For example, when consumed with anticoagulant drugs, it may enhance anticoagulant effects, increasing the risk of bleeding; when used with antihypertensive drugs, it may cause excessively low blood pressure. Attention should be paid to spacing the time of consumption appropriately.
Shepherd's purse offers multiple benefits but is not suitable for everyone. In daily diets, it is recommended to maintain a balanced dietary structure and diversify food intake to help maintain health.
