Shepherd’s purse, also known as Jicai (Capsella bursa-pastoris), is a medicinal and edible seasonal vegetable. In early spring, shepherd’s purse can already be seen sprouting along the edges of fields, grasslands, and streams.
In the vibrant month of March, the tender shepherd’s purse sprouts a touch of green. Nature’s bounty is always so generous; can you distinguish between shepherd’s purse, Malantou (Cardamine hirsuta), Ferns (Pteridium aquilinum), and Wild Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum indicum)? Many people love shepherd’s purse for its sweet and fresh flavor, and when prepared properly, it becomes a delicacy.“In the spring of March, shepherd’s purse is better than elixirs,” which clears the liver and brightens the eyes, harmonizes the spleen and stomach, living up to its reputation as a treasure of the earth.Shepherd’s purse is a wild vegetable loved by many, originally from China and now found worldwide. Historically, it has been consumed since as early as 300 BC.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that shepherd’s purse has a sweet and neutral nature, entering the liver, heart, and spleen.The Shennong Bencao Jing states: “It promotes liver qi and harmonizes the center.” The Rihuazi Bencao notes: “It cools the liver and brightens the eyes.”The Bencao Gangmu mentions: “It brightens the eyes and benefits the stomach.”It has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling blood and stopping bleeding, strengthening the stomach and aiding digestion, harmonizing the spleen and nourishing the liver, alleviating swelling and pain, and lowering blood pressure. It can treat symptoms like hematuria, hematemesis, gastric spasms, gastric ulcers, dysentery, and edema. Shepherd’s purse can adjust issues related to the heart, liver, and spleen.
Medicinal and Edible Value of Shepherd’s Purse
As a medicinal herb, shepherd’s purse was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing, stating that it can “promote liver qi and harmonize the center,” while the Bencao Gangmu states it can “brighten the eyes and benefit the stomach.”
TCM believes that shepherd’s purse is neutral and sweet, possessing the effects of clearing heat and draining dampness, calming the liver and brightening the eyes, cooling blood and stopping bleeding, and harmonizing the stomach to relieve stagnation. It can be used to treat dysentery, edema, gonorrhea, chyluria, hematemesis, melena, menorrhagia, and red, swollen eyes.
All parts of the shepherd’s purse (roots, flowers, seeds) can be used medicinally, with effects of brightening the eyes, cooling, relieving heat, promoting urination, and treating dysentery. The flowers and seeds can stop bleeding and treat hematuria, nephritis, hypertension, hematemesis, dysentery, measles, dizziness, and eye pain.
Research has found that shepherd’s purse is rich in vitamin C and carotene, which help enhance the body’s immune function, lower blood pressure, and aid digestion. Additionally, the abundant vitamin A in shepherd’s purse can treat night blindness and cataracts. The high fiber content promotes intestinal peristalsis, aiding in excretion and enhancing metabolism, which helps prevent hypertension, coronary heart disease, obesity, diabetes, colorectal cancer, and hemorrhoids.
Clearing damp-heat, calming the liver and brightening the eyes, benefiting the stomach
Especially for friends with liver damp-heat, it is highly recommended to eat some shepherd’s purse in spring.
Liver damp-heat typically presents with: chest tightness and abdominal distension, bitter mouth, dizziness; yellow and red urine, constipation; red tongue with thick, greasy yellow coating, etc. After damp-heat descends, there may also be symptoms like genital itching, scrotal dampness, and yellow, foul-smelling discharge.
Shepherd’s purse clears the liver and regulates the spleen, calms liver fire, lowers blood pressure, and specifically addresses liver damp-heat.
In spring, if liver qi rises too quickly, it can lead to excessive liver fire, causing discomfort in the eyes, as the liver opens to the eyes. Excessive eye discharge and swelling are manifestations of liver damp-heat and rebellious liver qi. Dry eyes are caused by rapid liver qi rise and insufficient liver blood nourishment.
The Bencao Congxin also states, “Shepherd’s purse benefits the liver and harmonizes the center; the roots benefit the stomach and brighten the eyes,” so it is best to eat the roots as well.
Searching for cold
In some places, there is a saying that in spring, one must eat shepherd’s purse because it can “search for cold.”
The accumulated cold in the body is referred to as “chenhan.” For example, the cold from winter accumulates in the body and becomes “chenhan.” In spring, as yang energy rises, people are prone to “empty fire,” leading to decreased immunity and susceptibility to colds and fevers. The term “search” vividly illustrates how shepherd’s purse can help expel the long-stored cold from the body.
What is special about shepherd’s purse is that it can expel both cold and heat, dispelling cold without causing fire and clearing heat without being cold. It also strengthens the spleen and drains dampness. Shepherd’s purse is like the “licorice of vegetables,” its medicinal properties are so mild that even infants can consume it.
1. Shepherd’s purse is not a weed; it is a “cleaner” hidden in the soil.Shepherd’s purse grows discreetly but has significant benefits. The Bencao Gangmu praises it for “benefiting the liver, harmonizing the center, brightening the eyes, and benefiting the stomach,” and TCM regards it as a “natural expectorant.”
In winter, the accumulated hot pot, barbecued meat, and rich foods can turn into phlegm and dampness in the body, leading to a bitter mouth, sticky throat, and dizziness in spring. At this time, digging up some shepherd’s purse to boil or use in dumplings can provide a refreshing aroma that “clears” the body. Village elders often say, “Shepherd’s purse cleans the intestines, preventing all diseases,” referring to its ability to smooth the liver and gallbladder and cleanse the stomach and intestines.
2. Don’t randomly dig wild vegetables! Three tips to identify “real shepherd’s purse.” There are many wild vegetables by the roadside, but misidentification can be fatal! Real shepherd’s purse has three main characteristics:
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Leaves like a small comb: In the seedling stage, the leaves are close to the ground, with fine serrated edges, but they do not prick the skin.
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White flowers: As it matures, it will sprout thin stems with star-like white four-petal flowers (however, once it flowers, it is too old; the tender leaves are best).
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Roots with a muddy fragrance: When pulled out, it has a fresh earthy smell mixed with the scent of grass, distinctly different from the pungent smell of poisonous plants.
If you are still unsure, here’s a simple method: go to the market and find a vendor selling wild vegetables; their basket will contain shepherd’s purse with gray-green leaves and slightly purplish-red roots!
3. How to eat shepherd’s purse for maximum phlegm-clearing and liver-soothing benefits! Shepherd’s purse is sensitive to high temperatures and prolonged cooking, which can cause nutrient loss. Here are three common cooking methods to maximize its benefits:
4. While shepherd’s purse is great, not everyone can eat it freely.
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Those with spleen and stomach deficiency and cold: People who are prone to diarrhea and have cold hands and feet should pair shepherd’s purse with ginger or pepper to balance its cold nature.
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Pregnant women: Shepherd’s purse has a slight uterine contraction effect, so it should be avoided, especially in early pregnancy.
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Those taking antihypertensive medication: Shepherd’s purse itself lowers blood pressure, and combining it with medication may lead to hypotension and dizziness.
Precautions for Consuming Shepherd’s Purse
Shepherd’s purse is suitable for consumption in spring, but the following points should be noted:
● Choose shepherd’s purse without flowers, as this is more tender and delicious.
● The roots of shepherd’s purse have high medicinal value and should not be removed when consumed.
● Shepherd’s purse should not be boiled for too long, as excessive cooking can destroy its nutrients and cause discoloration.
● Shepherd’s purse can promote bowel movements, so those with loose stools should be cautious; individuals with a cold constitution should avoid it.
● When cooking shepherd’s purse, avoid adding garlic, ginger, or cooking wine to prevent masking its natural aroma.
Common Shepherd’s Purse RecipesIt is believed that spring is an excellent season to eat shepherd’s purse, as it can dispel evil and brighten the eyes, bringing good fortune and health.The Book of Songs mentions “sweet as shepherd’s purse.” The famous poet Lu You from the Song Dynasty wrote: “Hand-cooked shepherd’s purse is as delicious as suckling pig,” describing how tasty shepherd’s purse can be.Shepherd’s purse can be eaten raw, cooked, steamed, or boiled, and it pairs well with various ingredients. Today, I will introduce several delicious medicinal dishes made with shepherd’s purse, and you can choose according to your needs.Shepherd’s Purse and Pomegranate Peel Congee【Ingredients】Pomegranate peel (dried) 15g, fresh shepherd’s purse 50g, rice 100g, honey 30g.
【Method】 Wrap the pomegranate peel in clean gauze; add an appropriate amount of water to a pot, place the pomegranate peel bag and rice to cook congee. When it is about 80% cooked, add minced fresh shepherd’s purse, and continue cooking until the congee is done. Remove the pomegranate peel bag and add honey to serve. Take twice daily for 3-5 days.【Benefits】 Treats acute and chronic gastroenteritis and acute diarrhea.
Pomegranate peel is warm in nature, sweet and astringent, with effects of astringing the intestines and stopping diarrhea. Shepherd’s purse is neutral and sweet, with effects of clearing heat, stopping bleeding, brightening the eyes, and harmonizing the spleen and promoting urination.
Shepherd’s Purse, Bitter Melon, and Lean Meat Congee【Ingredients】 Fresh shepherd’s purse 50g, fresh bitter melon 100g, lean pork 100g, glutinous rice 100g, cooking wine, and salt to taste.
【Method】 Clean the shepherd’s purse and cut it into sections. Clean the bitter melon and slice it. Clean the lean pork, slice it, and marinate with cooking wine and salt for 10 minutes. In a pot, add water and cook the glutinous rice for about 30 minutes, then add the bitter melon, shepherd’s purse, and the blanched lean pork slices. Cook for another 10 minutes, and season to taste.
【Benefits】 Has effects of clearing heat and moistening dryness, clearing the liver and brightening the eyes. Can alleviate dizziness and headaches caused by hypertension, thirst and dry throat, or red, swollen eyes.Shepherd’s Purse Chicken and Yam Soup【Ingredients】 Shepherd’s purse 150g, yam 300g, chicken breast 300g, chicken broth 500cc, goji berries 30g, shrimp 150g, corn starch 2 tablespoons, oil 10cc, minced garlic, turmeric, minced green onion, and a little oil and salt.
【Method】 Clean and blanch the shepherd’s purse, then chop it. Cut the chicken breast into small cubes and season with egg white and corn starch. In a pot, heat oil and sauté the minced green onion until fragrant, then add the chicken cubes and stir-fry until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, then add the shrimp, yam cubes, and goji berries, and finally add the shepherd’s purse to cook until done.
【Benefits】 A great dish for liver protection, rich in various nutrients, helps prevent liver disease and fatty liver.
Shepherd’s Purse and Bai Mao Gen Drink【Ingredients】 Fresh shepherd’s purse 30g, Bai Mao Gen (Imperata cylindrica) 50g. Boil in water, drink once a day as a tea substitute.【Benefits】 Prevents and treats springtime measles in children.
Shepherd’s Purse Flower and Angelica TeaFresh shepherd’s purse flowers 15g-30g, Angelica 10g, Salvia miltiorrhiza 5g, boil in water, drink once a day. According to the Lü Chanyan Bencao, shepherd’s purse flowers “are warm and non-toxic,” and can treat dysentery and metrorrhagia.Shepherd’s purse flower tea can help regulate uterine bleeding in women during menopause.
The taste of shepherd’s purse is unique; when chopped and mixed with fatty meat, it enhances the freshness of the pork instead of being masked.
Shepherd’s Purse Meat Congee
Ingredients:100g of shepherd’s purse and fresh bitter melon, 100g of glutinous rice, 50g of minced lean pork.
Method:Clean the shepherd’s purse and bitter melon, blanch them in boiling water, then chop finely. Wash the glutinous rice, add the minced pork, and cook the congee. When the congee is almost done, add the shepherd’s purse, bitter melon, salt, and sesame oil to taste, and simmer briefly before serving.
Benefits:Clears heat and detoxifies, lowers blood pressure and fat.
Stir-fried Shepherd’s Purse
Ingredients:200g of shepherd’s purse, 100g each of water chestnuts and celery.
Method:Clean the shepherd’s purse, blanch it, and cut it into sections. Peel and slice the water chestnuts, and cut the celery into small pieces. Heat oil in a pan, first stir-fry the celery for 3 minutes, then add the water chestnut slices and shepherd’s purse, stir-fry briefly, season with salt, and serve.
Benefits:Calms the liver, clears heat, lowers blood pressure, and reduces fat.
Cold Dressed Shepherd’s Purse Tofu
Ingredients:150g of shepherd’s purse, 50g each of celery and bok choy, and 1 block of water tofu.
Method:Clean the shepherd’s purse, celery, and bok choy, blanch them, and cut them into small sections. Blanch the tofu and cut it into small pieces, then mix with oil, salt, and olive oil to taste.
Benefits:Calms the liver, clears heat, and harmonizes the spleen and stomach.
Shepherd’s Purse Egg Soup
Ingredients:240g of fresh shepherd’s purse, 4 eggs, salt, monosodium glutamate, and vegetable oil to taste.
Method:Remove impurities from the shepherd’s purse, wash it, and cut it into sections. Beat the eggs in a bowl. In a hot pot, add water and cover to boil, then add vegetable oil, followed by the shepherd’s purse. Once boiling, pour in the eggs and cook briefly, then add salt and monosodium glutamate, and serve in a large soup bowl.
Benefits:Benefits the heart, calms the mind, nourishes blood, stops bleeding, clears heat, and lowers blood pressure.
Shepherd’s Purse Wontons
Ingredients:Wonton wrappers, pork, shepherd’s purse, chicken broth, green onions, ginger, salt, soy sauce, pepper, and sesame oil.
Method:Minced pork is mixed with soy sauce and stirred vigorously in one direction. Add chopped green onions and ginger and mix well. Clean the shepherd’s purse, blanch it, squeeze out excess water, and chop finely. Mix the shepherd’s purse with the meat filling. Add salt and pepper to taste. Take a wonton wrapper, place the filling inside, fold it, and pinch the edges to form a shape. Repeat until all are filled. In a pot, add water, bring to a boil, and add the chicken broth. Cook the wontons in boiling water for about 8 minutes. Serve in a bowl, adding seasonings as desired.
Source: China Traditional Chinese Medicine News
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