Shepherd's Purse
A traditional bleeding herb with two small Iranian randomized trials behind it. The direction is encouraging but the evidence base is far too thin to call it established.
Evidence last reviewed: August 2026
What the science says
- Heavy menstrual bleeding Limited evidence
A single randomized clinical trial in women with heavy menstrual bleeding reported that a hydroalcoholic Capsella bursa-pastoris extract reduced menstrual blood loss compared with control. One trial in one country is not enough to establish an effect.
- Early postpartum blood loss Limited evidence
A separate small clinical trial tested the same extract for early postpartum hemorrhage and reported reduced bleeding. It has not been replicated outside this research group.
Dosage & safety
Studied doseTrials used a hydroalcoholic extract roughly equivalent to 1 g of dried herb every 8 hours during bleeding days. Commercial tinctures and teas vary widely and are not standardized to the trial material.
SafetyContains compounds with uterine-stimulating activity; avoid in pregnancy. May interact with anticoagulants and with thyroid medication, and its vitamin K content can oppose warfarin. Not studied in people with bleeding disorders.
Scientific references
Where to buy
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