Shepherd's Purse (blindweed, caseweed, cocowort, lady's purse, mothers heart, pepper and salt, pickpocket, poor man's parmacettie, St James weed, witches' pouches)
Classes: Cardiovascular, Herbals
Suggested dosing of Blindweed, caseweed (shepherd's purse)
Insufficent reliable evidence on effectiveness
Oral: 1-4 g PO TId
Crushed herb: 10-15 g/d PO (may div TID)
Liquid extract: 5-8 g/d PO (may div TID)
Topical: 3-5 g applied topically
Suggested uses of Blindweed, caseweed (shepherd's purse)
Blood pressure problems, arrhythmias, weak heart, epistaxis, PMs
Warnings
Contraindications
Pregnancy
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: do not use
Lactation: N/A
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Blindweed, caseweed (shepherd's purse)
Mechanism of action
Influences blood pressure, boosts cardiac output/heart rate, promotes uterine contractions; contains saponins, bursinic acid, flavonoids, choline, beta carotene, and Vitamins B, C, and K
