Shepherd's Purse (blindweed, caseweed, cocowort, lady's purse, mothers heart, pepper and salt, pickpocket, poor man's parmacettie, St James weed, witches' pouches): Dosing and Uses

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