Shepherd's purse Capsela bursa-pastoris

Features

Capsella bursa-pastoris, known as shepherd's purse because of its triangular flat fruits, which are purse-like, is a small annual and ruderal flowering plant in the mustard family (Brassicaceae).

Species	Annual and biennial plant
Living space	Cultivated areas, Field, Meadow
Size	up to 40 cm

Description

It grows on meadows, pastures, fields and along roads all over Europe. On the fragile upright stems are strung tiny white flowers, from which the seed fruits develop, the scales of a characteristic heart shape. Useful parts of the common bald spot are the above-ground parts, and we harvest them from March to November. They are used for teas and tinctures, and they are also used to make pharmaceutical products. Otherwise, the plant contains very effective essential oil, choline, acetylcholine, tyramine and flavonoids. The active ingredients lose some of their strength during storage, so the use of freshly harvested plants is recommended.