Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Europe and Asia. Historically, it has been employed to support urinary tract health, primarily for its purported diuretic and astringent properties. Folk medicine sources describe its use in treating mild urinary tract infections (UTIs), hematuria (blood in urine), and other urinary disturbances. The plant contains flavonoids, glucosinolates, and other phytochemicals thought to contribute to these effects.

However, scientific validation for these traditional uses is limited. There is a lack of robust clinical trials or pharmacological studies specifically investigating shepherd’s purse for UTIs. Most modern herbal references cite its historical use for genitourinary conditions, but do not provide evidence from randomized controlled trials or large-scale observational studies. Some laboratory studies suggest mild antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, but these are not specific to urinary pathogens or directly applicable to human UTIs.

Overall, while shepherd’s purse is traditionally used to support urinary tract health, especially for mild symptoms, there is insufficient scientific evidence to confirm its effectiveness for treating UTIs. As such, it should not be relied upon as a primary treatment for urinary tract infections, especially in place of evidence-based medical therapies.

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