Who should not eat shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)?
Some friends enjoy eating wild vegetables and dug up some shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). I also want to try it, but my constitution is relatively weak. I don't know whether I can consume it. I would like to know which people should avoid eating shepherd's purse?
Doctor's answer (1)
Shepherd's purse, as a common wild vegetable, is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C, carotene, and minerals, which are beneficial to health. However, shepherd's purse is not suitable for everyone.
Some individuals may be allergic to components in shepherd's purse and experience allergic reactions such as rashes and itching, and therefore should avoid consumption. Shepherd's purse has a cold nature and may exacerbate internal cold-dampness. Therefore, women with cold constitutions or cold uterus should avoid consuming it as much as possible. Shepherd's purse may cause coldness in the spleen and stomach, thereby worsening diarrhea symptoms, so individuals with chronic diarrhea should consume it cautiously.
Due to its cold nature, consuming large amounts of shepherd's purse may aggravate internal cold-dampness and lead to symptoms such as indigestion and diarrhea, especially in individuals with weak spleen and stomach function or a cold constitution. Those with spleen and stomach cold deficiency should avoid eating shepherd's purse as much as possible. Shepherd's purse contains a certain amount of oxalic acid; excessive consumption by patients with kidney disease may increase the risk of calcium oxalate stones, so it is recommended they consume it cautiously or avoid it altogether.
The oxalic acid in shepherd's purse may interfere with infants' and young children's absorption of minerals such as iron and zinc, potentially affecting their development; therefore, consumption should be approached with caution.
