Thlaspi bursa pastoris
van Edwin M. Hale — Materia Medica and Special Therapeutics of the New Remedies
Volume I — Special Symptomatology
{Shepherd's purse.)
Botanical Description— This plant belongs to the Cruciferse, ormustard family. It is now known as the Capsella Bursa Pastoris. It is an annual, growing in waste places, bearing small white flowers; is not indigenous, but naturalized from Europe, and is become one of our commonest weeds. The root-leaves are clustered and toothed; the stem leaves are arrow-shaped and sessile.
Officinal Preparations— Tincture of the plant.
Analogues— Trillium, Sabina, Crocus, Millefolium, Ledum, Hamamelis, Ipecac.
Head.
0 Frequent occurring epistaxis, of a passive nature.
Urinary Organs.
0 Passive hematuria.
Generative Organs.
Women: 0 Passive metrorrhagia with too copious and frequent menses
0 Delaying menses caused by inertia of the uterus.
0 Hemorrhages, with violent uterine colic; with cramps consequent upon abortion at the critical age, and even when* there was cancer of the cervix.
0 Menorrhagia of three years standing, every menstruation
with hemorrhage; the first day barely shows, the second, profuse flooding, severe colic, vomiting and expulsion of clots; the flow continues ten to fifteen days.
° Menses three days too soon, very profuse, uterine colic and discharge of clots.
° Hemorrhage, from cancer of the neck of the uterus.
° Hemorrhage after abortion.
Volume II — Special Therapeutics
The Shepherd’s-purse seems to possess specific powers over haemorrhages. When first introduced into notice it was highly praised and quite extensively prescribed; but of late I have heard but little about it. I once used it in a case of frequent and profuse menses, but got no decided results.
In the hands of other physicians it seems to have been found of value in epistaxis, haematuria, menorrhagia, delaying menses, frequent and profuse menses, uterine cramps, haemorrhage from cancer uteri, or miscarriage.
It appears to resemble Trillium, Hamamelis, and Crocus in its action on the bloodvessels.
The best effects have been gained from the lowest dilutions and tincture.