190. Bursa pastoris.—Shepherd's purse.

Botanical name: 

190. BURSA PASTO'RIS.—SHEPHERD'S PURSE. The herb of Capsel'la bursa-pastoris, Moench, a small plant very common along our roadsides. It derives its name from its inversely heart-shaped fruit in elongated racemes. The small white flowers are in corymbose racemes. Nearly inodorous; taste acrid, pungent, and bitter. Contains a little volatile oil of mustard. An active diuretic, also tonic and stimulant. Dose: 15 to 60 gr. (1 to 4 Gm.).


A Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 1917, was written by Lucius E. Sayre, B.S. Ph. M.