shepherd's purse
Brassicaceae

shepherd's purse

Thlaspi bursa-pastoris L.

Indigenous Names: Ho tat wi se e yo, He’ ha’ essotse, Ota?tave-heseeo?otse
Habitat: Introduced from Europe. Found across the United States; grows in waste ground, pastures, gardens, and other disturbed areas.; Introduced plant from Europe found in disturbed, waste or cultivated ground; plains to sub-alpine; Alaska to New Mexico
Seasonality: Not specified
Status: Native

Medicinal Documentation

Cheyenne

The powdered leaves and stems put in a little cold water are allowed to stand for a while and the infusion is then drunk. This speedily relieves a pain in the head. The powder may be taken in small quantities without the water; but used in this way, it burns the tongue

Cheyenne

Infusion of powdered leaves and stems taken or small quantities of powder eaten for head pains Additional commentary: A cold water infusion of the stems and leaves was drunk for a headache. If taken without water, only a small amount is tolerable, as it burns the tongue.189 Grinnell mentions this plant as well for the same maladies under the name Bursa bursa-pastoris.190 The plant also was called the headache medicine.191

Botanical Reference

Parts Documented: leaves, stems

Distribution: Introduced plant from Europe found in disturbed, waste or cultivated ground; plains to sub-alpine; Alaska to New Mexico