Similar to many other plants, shepherd’s purse has been utilized for a number of different applications in traditional medicine, especially as a diuretic and to treat dysentery. Parts of the hardy annual are also edible. The leaves are sometimes utilized as salad greens and are most palatable when young and tender. Both the leaves and flowers of the shepherd’s purse can be utilized as potherbs. In some areas the plant is cultivated for such uses, but in other regions shepherd’s purse is considered a weed.