Shepherd’s purse is an annual herb in the Brassicaceae family, which includes broccoli, cabbage and mustard. Its common name refers to the seedpods, which resemble tiny pouches. Other common names for this herb that compliment this feature include shepherd's bag and lady's purse.
Shepherd’s purse is a cosmopolitan plant, meaning that even though it may be native to a specific region it is now distributed throughout the world. The fresh leaves are still used in some parts of Europe as an alternative to cabbage or watercress. The dried herb is brewed into tea.
The herb also has a long history of use in topical formulations for various skin disorders. Shepherd’s purse contains fumaric acid, a food additive found in baked goods and dairy products that has also been used as an aid for psoriasis for many years.
