Brief information about the plant
Shepherd's purse is a weed that has a wide distribution area. It can be found in almost any region, with the exception of the Far North. The prevalence of the plant can be explained by its unpretentiousness and the ripening of a large number of seeds.
In folk medicine and pharmacology, the above-ground parts of the plant are used - leaves, stems and flowers. The presence of browned seeds in the composition of plant raw materials is not expected. Therefore, it is collected during the flowering period, which occurs from May to August.
Preparations containing this plant have a powerful hemostatic effect. At the same time, they improve intestinal motility and reduce blood pressure.
Seeds are used to prepare potions only in one case: if they are still green!
Features of culture
The annual plant is unassuming and grows everywhere. It can be seen in pastures, near roads, and, of course, in vegetable gardens. And few people know how useful the use of shepherd's purse is. The herb is highly appreciated by traditional healers. When talking about the healing effects of this culture, they always mention the legend according to which it was in a shepherd’s purse that God sent a cure for illnesses to earth.
Description of the plant
Chemical composition
As an effective hemostatic agent, shepherd's purse was in demand back in Ancient Rome. Since then, the plant has been subjected to careful study more than once. Thanks to this, the range of beneficial properties has expanded significantly. Pharmacognosy (the science of medicines of natural origin) provides a whole list of components that give the plant medicinal effects. The plant contains many vitamins, including vitamins A, C, B12 and a large number of minerals.
Chemical composition
The grass contains a large amount of vitamins, especially if the plant is in the flowering phase. It was experimentally established that the flowering shepherd's purse contains:
- Ascorbic acid (up to 1100 mg%).
- Carotenoids (up to 25 mg%).
- Vitamin K (up to 12 mg%).
- Rhamnoglycoside.
- Organic acids.
- Minerals (the grass contains a lot of potassium salts).
- Coumarins.
- Flavonoids.
- Beta-sitosterol.
- Glycosides.
- Alkaloids.
- Histamine.
- Sulfur-containing compounds.
Composition and beneficial properties of the plant
Shepherd's purse (purse) is used for diseases such as cholecystitis, gastritis, urolithiasis, is used as an astringent for dysentery, and as a diuretic to reduce blood pressure. The herb restores intestinal motor function. The high potassium content in the plant helps compensate for the lack of this trace element in the body.
Shepherd's purse is particularly used in the treatment of female diseases. Decoctions and infusions are used as a hemostatic agent for uterine bleeding that occurs after abortion, childbirth, and menopause. For uterine fibroids, inflammatory and dishormonal processes, the herb is used to reduce blood loss.
If you want to prepare raw materials yourself, remember that you need to collect grass in meadows (away from the roadway), since shepherd's purse is a plant that can accumulate heavy metals. Damaged leaves must be removed because they may be infected with a poisonous fungus.
The plant contains:
- vitamins C and K, thiamine, riboflavin, carotenoids;
- flavonoids, mainly glycosides;
- phytoncides;
- organic acids;
- amino acids;
- histamine;
- saponins;
- potassium;
- compounds containing sulfur.
The seeds contain fatty oil (20%) and a small amount of essential oil - allyl mustard.
The plant was a traveling medicine among Asian nomads; it was used to heal severe wounds and stop bleeding. Grass was collected along the way and stored for future use.
Flowering grass - period of raw material procurement
Indications for use
Shepherd's purse herb has pronounced hemostatic properties. Therefore, it has found application in many areas of medicine: traumatology, gynecology, gastroenterology, etc.
It is noteworthy that bagworm is included in almost all herbal preparations, the purpose of which is to stop bleeding. The herb copes well with inflammation and feverish conditions, and also helps restore mucous membranes and relieve swelling. On the recommendation of your doctor, infusions and decoctions of shepherd's purse can be used for:
- Treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract of various etiologies (dysentery, erosive gastritis, peptic ulcer with a tendency to bleed, inflammatory diseases of the stomach and duodenum).
- Improves appetite, eliminates digestive disorders such as diarrhea and flatulence.
- Normalization of the functioning of the digestive organs.
- Combating insomnia, stress and nervous tension.
- Improving the condition of the cardiovascular system, strengthening the heart muscle, normalizing blood pressure.
- Prevention of varicose veins, rosacea, hemorrhoids.
- Treatment of diseases of the genitourinary system (cystitis, pyelonephritis, enuresis, some STIs).
- Speedy healing of wounds, ulcers and bruises (external use in the form of compresses and lotions).
Application in gynecology
Menstrual irregularities
For some women, menstruation is an ordeal. Because during this period, severe pain and heavy bleeding occur. In addition, the process is complicated by a general deterioration in well-being.
To normalize the menstrual cycle and make it more “comfortable”, you should try the infusion. It is prepared from 2 tbsp. l. dry herbs and 0.2 liters of boiling water. The mixture must be infused for at least two hours. Afterwards, it should be filtered.
Directions for use: 4 times a day, 1 tbsp. l. after meal. Delayed menstruation is “treated” with a mixture of shepherd’s purse juice and honey. The ingredients are taken in a 1:1 ratio. Dosage amount – 1 tsp. 3-5 times a day after meals. The juice is prepared from fresh stems and leaves (they must first be finely chopped).
Endometritis
If the tissue of its mucous membrane grows into the muscular layers of the uterus, then this is very bad for women’s health. In this case, the doctor diagnoses endometriosis, the signs of which are:
- pain in the lower abdomen, intensifying during sexual intercourse and menstruation;
- infertility;
- weight gain in a short time;
- spotting outside the menstrual cycle;
- blood in stool and urine.
For endometritis, along with pharmacological drugs, herbs are prescribed to relieve pain, normalize hormonal levels and stop bleeding.
Among them is the shepherd's purse, from the dry leaves of which an infusion is prepared: 1 tbsp. l. dry raw materials + a glass of boiling water. Leave for 1 hour, squeeze out, take half an hour before each meal in the amount of 1 tbsp. l.
Uterine fibroids
A benign tumor in the uterus can appear for various reasons - due to frequent abortions or one unsuccessfully performed one; due to taking contraceptive hormonal drugs that were incorrectly prescribed; due to hormonal imbalances, etc.
You can also suppress uterine fibroids using folk remedies, including bagworm infusion. It is prepared from 1 tbsp. l. dry raw materials and 0.25 liters of boiling water. It is better to infuse the mixture in a thermos for three hours. The finished infusion is filtered and consumed three times a day, 1 tbsp. l. 40 minutes before meals.
Postpartum hemorrhage
Decoction. Prepared in a water bath from 5 g of dry bagwort leaves and 0.2 liters of hot water. Thermal exposure time is 15 minutes. After this, the decoction is filtered and taken up to five times a day before meals in the amount of 35 drops.
Tea. Before breakfast 1 tsp. dry herbs pour a glass of boiling water. After 10 minutes, drink half a glass. The remaining tea is for dinner. Before use, you need to add boiling water to your morning brew.
Climax
During menopause, heavy bleeding with clots may occur. This phenomenon can be eliminated using a bag holder. To prepare the drug, it is advisable to use fresh grass, but if it cannot be obtained, then dry raw materials should be used.
The infusion is prepared from 1 tbsp. l. finely chopped shepherd's purse leaves and 1 cup boiling water. After a short infusion, the drink, strained through cheesecloth, is drunk in full.
Inflammation of the appendages
Adnexitis (inflammation of the appendages) is another gynecological disease that can be eliminated using traditional medicine recipes. To treat this disease, herbal preparations are used, which include: boron uterus grass, shepherd's purse and linden flowers.
To prepare the decoction, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. each type of plant material, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and simmer over moderate heat for 5 minutes. The decoction should be drunk throughout the day, adding a teaspoon of honey to each serving. The composition of the herbal mixture can be expanded by adding stinging nettle, yarrow and calendula flowers. The herbal mixture is thoroughly mixed, and to prepare a decoction it must be taken in the amount of 3 tbsp. l.
If it is not possible to independently collect raw materials, you can buy it at a pharmacy - in its pure form or as part of herbal preparations. Filter bags and alcohol tincture, which are used to treat diseases of the digestive tract, are especially easy to use.
Alcohol tincture (extract)
In gynecology, bagworm extract is rarely used, but sometimes it can be an alternative to infusions and decoctions. To prepare an alcohol tincture, you will need dry raw materials and 70% alcohol. The ingredients should be taken in a ratio of 1:10. Infusion time is at least two weeks, in a glass container, which must be shaken periodically. It is recommended to store the strained tincture in the refrigerator. For therapeutic purposes, the drug is used in diluted form - 25 drops per 1 tsp. water, three times a day before meals.
Using a plant tincture with alcohol
This remedy helps solve many health problems, and to prepare it, put it in a container:
- 1 part herb;
- 10 parts 70% alcohol.
Seal the container tightly and place it for 14 days in a place protected from sunlight.
For prolonged bleeding and after abortion
Drink 20-30 drops of the substance, diluting them in 5 ml of water. Repeat this three times a day before meals.
Wine tincture
It is effective in the treatment of diseases in the field of gynecology. To prepare, take:
- 100 g of dry grass;
- 100 ml dry white wine.
Leave in a dark place for at least 10 days. Women are advised to drink a tablespoon about 6 times until it runs out. After this, take a break for a month and repeat the course again. It will help cope with women's diseases, including endometriosis.
Use for pregnant and lactating women
The plant contains substances - acetylcholine and tyramine, the entry of which into the body of pregnant women is extremely undesirable. Therefore, doctors do not recommend using drugs containing shepherd's purse as a means to stop bleeding. Against severe toxicosis in the first trimester of pregnancy, with the consent of the doctor, you can use the following recipe:
- Mix 40 g of dried peppermint leaves and 60 g of shepherd's purse leaves.
- 2 tbsp. l. pour 0.5 liters of boiling water over the herbal mixture.
- Let it brew for 30 minutes (in a container with a lid).
- Filter the infusion and add 1 tbsp to it. l. honey.
- Take 50 ml after each meal until unpleasant symptoms disappear.
As for nursing mothers, they are allowed to use decoctions and infusions of shepherd’s purse, but under the supervision of a doctor. To strengthen the muscles of the uterus, restore its size and stop bleeding, you can use a decoction. It is prepared from 1 tsp. dry raw materials and 0.2 liters of hot water. The shepherd's purse is first brewed and then boiled for two minutes. The decoction should sit for half an hour, and take it 1 tbsp. l. three times a day.
For uterine bleeding
There are many reasons why uterine bleeding may occur:
- hormonal imbalance;
- stress;
- fatigue;
- climate change;
- infectious diseases;
- intoxication of the body.
A tincture of shepherd's purse in 70% alcohol will help quickly eliminate and relieve pain. It can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared at home:
- pour the crushed raw materials with 70% alcohol, in proportions 1:1;
- put in a dark place, but not cold, for 2 weeks;
- After 14 days, strain;
- take before meals, 1 tsp. 20–30 drops of tincture.
Preparation "Shepherd's purse herb" (Bursae pastoris herba)
Description of characteristics
A package weighing 50 or 100 g contains all parts of the shepherd's purse plant in dry and crushed form (inflorescences, green seeds, leaves, stems). The color of the mixture is gray-green, the smell is weak. Ready-made water-based medicines (infusions, teas and decoctions) have a bitter taste.
The drug can be presented in packaged form, which simplifies its use. The composition of plant raw materials contains substances that enhance the contractility of smooth muscles and have a hemostatic effect: vitamin K (phylloquinone), vitamin C, tannins, tyramine, acetylcholine, saponins.
Indications for use
The drug "Shepherd's purse herb" can be used to treat gynecological diseases and eliminate various pathologies, from heavy menstruation to adnexitis, fibroids, cervical erosion and endometritis.
Dosage and rules for preparing the infusion
Place three grams of the drug or 2 filter bags in glass, enamel or porcelain containers. Pour boiling water over the glasses, cover with a lid and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Squeeze out the filter bags or herbal mixture by placing it in cheesecloth. Bring the volume of the resulting liquid to 200 ml (boiled water). Dosage rate: 1/3 glass before meals, 3 times a day. The finished infusion cannot be stored for more than two days, even in the refrigerator!
Contraindications
Preparations containing shepherd's purse are prohibited for use by people suffering from individual intolerance to this herb. If a person has experienced several heart attacks, suffers from thrombophlebitis and some cardiovascular or autoimmune diseases, then he should also stop taking medications containing bagworm.
Consultation with a gynecologist is mandatory if a pregnant woman or nursing mother plans to take medications containing this herb. It should be taken into account that shepherd's purse tends to thicken the blood. This means that it cannot be used simultaneously with medications that “work” in the opposite direction. That is, blood thinners.
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Main contraindications
The bagman also has a number of contraindications. That is why, before treatment, it is necessary to find out for whom the use of medicines made on its basis is highly recommended. It is best to seek advice from your doctor.
You can't use a handbag:
- during pregnancy (with the exception of drugs that are prescribed by a doctor and taken under his supervision);
- in the presence of hemorrhoids or hemorrhoidal nodules;
- people with increased blood clotting;
- with thrombosis or thrombophlebitis.
Another factor in which it is extremely undesirable to use medicines prepared from bagworm is individual intolerance to the plant. You should carefully study all the risk factors that can be caused by self-administration of medicinal tinctures.
In addition, tinctures from bagwort are taken during heavy menstruation and lactation. It also has a therapeutic effect on endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
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