Posts Tagged ‘Sources’

What are some important things to know about Shepherd’s-Purse?

Shepherd’s purse commonly known as capsella bursa-pastoris, is a triangular, purse like pods. It is a small annual and ruderal species belonging to the family of mustard. The plant has slender, flexible, slightly hairy and white taproot arising from basal rosette similar to dandelion. The first leaves are usually stalked and rounded while; the later are deeply toothed or may be variable. Slightly toothed, alternate leaves clasp the flower stalk reaching the height of 6″ to 18”. It also has 4 petals forming a cross and 6 stamens. These flowers are self fertilizing and heart shaped having length of 5mm with tiny seeds. Shepherd’s purse is found only from early spring to early winter. People usually cultivate this plant in eastern countries for eating purposes. It is one of the earliest wild greens in the spring season. The seedpods of the plant are used for peppery seasoning.

Origin:
The plant of shepherd’s purse is native to Asia Minor and Eastern Europe and considered a common weed in many parts of the world. It is also regarded as an archaeophyte in China and North America but, in the regions of North America and Mediterranean it is used as a model organism. It flowers in all the seasons through out the year. Bursa pastoris reproduce itself entirely from the seed and has a soil seed bank with a short generation time. The plant grows best in moist to dry, sunny and disturbed soils. This plant generally grows in lawns, edges of sidewalk and paths and sometimes through sidewalk cracks.

Constituents:
The leaves of the plant are quite rich in choline, inosital, fumaric and thiamin acid. They are a good source of ascorbic acid, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin. The leaves contain beta carotene, niacin, vitamin K, rutin and iron.
The action of these constituents is given under –
- antiscorbutic
- anti-hemorrhagic
- astringent
- diuretic
- coagulant
- stimulant etc.

Usage:
-Cardiovascular Conditions
- High or low blood pressure.
- Regulates heart action
- Normalizes circulation in the body.
- Female Conditions
- excessive menstrual flow
- menopause
- facilitates childbirth
- painful menstruation, combined with Rue and Rosemary
- promotes uterine contraction during childbirth
- regulates menstruation during puberty
- uterine cramp
- stops post natal bleeding
- blood Conditions
- bleeding from the kidneys, combined with Horsetail
- bleeding hemorrhoids
- bleeding from the lungs
- hematuria
- intestinal bleeding
- passive hemorrhages from mucous membranes
- nosebleeds
- stomach hemorrhage
- wounds which will not stop bleeding
- Genitourinary Tract Conditions
- abscesses of the bladder
- catarrhal conditions of the bladder and ureters
- bed-wetting in children
- increases the flow of urine
- irritation of the urinary tract caused by uric acid or insoluble phosphates or carbonates
- kidney complaints
- ulcerated conditions of the bladder
- urine with white mucous discharge

Precautions:
Shepherd’s purse has not been well studied, and its action is not well understood.
Limit the use to one or two months, and then take a one-week break, resuming if necessary. If used for excessive menstrual bleeding, use for a few days to a week before your period and during the menstrual period – not during the entire month. Shepherd’s purse constricts blood vessels, and is not recommended for people with high blood pressure. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid shepherd’s purse.

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Vitamin K – Helps in Blood Clotting and prevents hemorrhages

Vitamin K is a group of vitamins that help in blood clotting and also in proper functioning of liver. It is a fat soluble vitamin. It helps to prevent hemorrhages. Vitamin K is made up in colon by intestinal bacteria. Vitamin K is also important for the production of protein called prothrombin. Hemorrhages occur because there is a fall in prothrombin which is helpful in blood clotting.
There are two forms in which Vitamin K exists. One is Vitamin K1 which occurs only in plants, yellow oil, slightly soluble in water and soluble in fat solvents. Another Vitamin K2 is also found to be produced by many bacteria.

CHARACTERISTICS OF VITAMIN K
- No effect of light.
- No effect of heat.
- No effect on exposure to air.
- Destroyed by strong acids, alkalis, oxidizing agents, x-rays, radiation.
- Absorbed with fat and passed through lymphatic system.

FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN K IN BODY
- Vitamin K helps in blood clotting.
- Vitamin K prevents hemorrhages.
- Vitamin K helps in the absorption of calcium.
- The hardening of arteries is prevented by vitamin K.
- Vitamin K prevents heart disease.
- Vitamin K prevents heart failure.
- Vitamin K is also important for proper functioning of liver.
- Vitamin K helps in the reduction of menstrual flow.
- Vitamin K helps in osteoporosis.

The best sources of Vitamin K are green leafy vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, spinach. It is also present in yogurt, soy beans. Cow’s milk is better source than human milk.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS OF VITAMIN K
- Damage to brain of new born.
- Bleeding of nose.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding.
- Takes lot of time in blood clotting.
- Anemia.
Avoid a great amount of vitamin K because it may lead to liver problems or jaundice in kids.

Boron which helps in tumor, cysts. Copper which converts iron into haemoglobin

Boron is considered to be an essential mineral that is used by the plants. Boron is not found alone, it is always found in combination with other chemicals. It is considered to be a non-metallic element. It is absorbed through intestine and excreted in urine. The functions of boron in body include:
- regulate the use of calcium.
- regulate the use of phosphorous.
- regulate the use of magnesium.
- it controls growth of the cells.
- Growth abnormalities are prevented.
The deficiency of boron can result in tumors, cysts and abnormal growth. The main sources of boron are fruits, vegetables like carrots, apples, pears.

Many enzymes constitute of copper and found in combination with many proteins. Copper is absorbed at the duodenum level of intestine. When copper is in excess, it is excreted in bile. The main functions of copper are:
- it converts iron into hemoglobin.
- the growth of red blood cells is stimulated.
- essential mineral for vitamin C.
- part of digestive enzyme.
The deficiency of copper can cause:
- weakness.
- problems in digestion.
- problems in respiration.
- chronic diarrhea which later develops into anemia in infants.
Failure of copper absorption leads to:
- mental retardation
- failure to change hair that has become brittle.
- low concentration in plasma and liver.
- prevent arthritis.
- strengthens muscular system.
Some good sources of copper are molluscs and shellfish, betel leaves arecanuts and other nuts. The content of copper is more in soft water than hard water. Similarly, tap water has a higher copper content than the water in the reservoir, which in turn, is a better source of copper than stream water.
If copper is taken into excess, it can be poisonous and can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea with some abdominal pain.