Saflax - Sheperd’s purse - Capsella bursa-pastoris - 1000 seeds - Known and used in monastic medicine since the Middle Ages. With germ-free and air-permeable coconut fiber substrate for successful cultivation. Worth knowing: The annual or biennial herbaceous perennial plant grows between 10 to 50 cm in height and shows its pretty white blossoms from March to November. Sheperd’s purse was already valued as hemostatic by the monastic medicine in the Middle Ages. Unfortunately, it is only known to many as a weed and therefore almost forgotten as a medicinal herb. The Swedish natural scientist Carl von Linné gave the plant its botanical name because of the peculiar shape of the seed capsules, that reminded him of the typical shape of the shepherd’s bag: “Capsella” means capsule, “bursa” the bag or purse and “pastoris” is the shepherd.. Active agents: the common sheperd’s purse will lose most of its curative substances already within three months and should therefore be used soon after harvesting and drying. Tea: pour 250 ml of boiling water over two teaspoons of the dried herb and let it steep for 10 min before straining. The tea of the sheperd’s purse is often used in the form of a tea-soaked tampon for nosebleeds and when cooled, it is said to be well suited for mouthwashes in case of inflammation in the mouth and throat. In the kitchen: sheperd’s purse is a real power package in terms of minerals and vitamins, yet it is but of very little importance in the culinary field. It was, however, used in the past as a substitute for mustard seeds and because of its mustard oils it was also known as farmer’s mustard or sheperd’s cress. The leaf rosettes of the shepherd's purse mixed with about the same amount of lamb's lettuce and finely chopped, boiled eggs make for a delicious spicy summer salad. Generously cut shepherd's purse herb goes also excellently in vegetable casseroles. Natural Place: The exact origin of the shepherd's purse is still not known. It probably comes from the countries of western Asia and southern Europe. Today the plant is spread worldwide. Cultivation: It is best to sow shepherd's purse in spring. Since it is a light germinator you should only lightly press the small seeds onto the moist potting compost. Pay attention to an even water supply to the substrate during the germination phase. Place: Any sunny or not less than semi-shaded location is suitable for cultivation. Care: Sheperd’s purse requires no special care. Harvest: it is best to harvest the whole plant including the roots. Remove any adhering soil and either hang the bundle upside down in a well-ventilated place or dry the herb in the oven at not more than 35° Celsius with the oven door slightly open. During Winter: It’s best to sow new seeds the following year. Bonsai: No Picture credits: Because of technical limitations links are shown as text. 25229-capsella-bursa-pastoris-seed-package-front-german.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright 15229-capsella-bursa-pastoris-cultivation-instruction-german.jpg - Frank Laue - © Saflax - saflax.de/copyright 15229-32-capsella-bursa-pastoris.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright 15229-33-capsella-bursa-pastoris.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright 15229-34-capsella-bursa-pastoris.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright 15229-34-capsella-bursa-pastoris.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright 15229-35-capsella-bursa-pastoris.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright 15229-36-capsella-bursa-pastoris.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright 15229-37-capsella-bursa-pastoris.jpg - About © : Contact SAFLAX - - saflax.de/copyright