Food · Fermented foods
Nazuna (Shepherd's Purse)
なずな (Nazuna)
Also known as: Nazuna, Shepherd's purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris, 薺, ぺんぺん草
Looking for a Japanese supplier of Nazuna (Shepherd's Purse)? Tell usAt a glance
| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | なずな |
| Common Japanese notations | なずな, 薺, ナズナ, ぺんぺん草 |
| Origin | Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris); wild-foraged spring sansai; one of the seven spring herbs (haru-no-nanakusa) for the traditional Nanakusa-gayu rice porridge eaten on January 7 |
| Typical functions | Nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb rice porridge) — January 7 ceremonial cuisine, Spring sansai foraging tradition |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard agricultural product labeling. Spring/January ceremonial positioning. Not a designated allergen. |
Nazuna (なずな / 薺) — shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) — is one of Japan's seven spring herbs (haru-no-nanakusa) used in the traditional Nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb rice porridge) eaten on January 7 for health and longevity. The OEM positioning is January seasonal Nanakusa-gayu kit retail (a substantial seasonal category produced by Otsuka Foods, Hakubaku, and others).
Find OEM manufacturers
Browse Japanese OEM manufacturers that build products in this category. Filter by small lot, certifications, prefecture.
Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Nanakusa-gayu kit retail (December-January seasonal)
- Fresh nazuna (spring foraged, very limited)
Ingredient profile
Nazuna is Capsella bursa-pastoris, a wild Brassicaceae herb. One of the seven spring herbs.
OEM applications
Nanakusa-gayu — January 7 seven-herb porridge.
For OEM: Nanakusa-gayu kit retail (seasonal December-January).
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Seasonal January positioning. Not a designated allergen.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Niche specialty positioning. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty positioning. |
| China | Niche specialty positioning. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification of seasonal sourcing.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Nazuna (Shepherd's Purse)?
- Nazuna (なずな / 薺) — shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris) — is one of Japan's seven spring herbs (haru-no-nanakusa) used in the traditional Nanakusa-gayu (seven-herb rice porridge) eaten on January 7 for health and longevity. The OEM positioning is January seasonal Nanakusa-gayu kit retail (a substantial seasonal category produced by Otsuka Foods, Hakubaku, and others).
- What is the regulatory status of Nazuna (Shepherd's Purse) in Japan?
- Standard agricultural product labeling. Spring/January ceremonial positioning. Not a designated allergen.
- What products typically use Nazuna (Shepherd's Purse)?
- Nanakusa-gayu kit retail (December-January seasonal) / Fresh nazuna (spring foraged, very limited)
- Where does Nazuna (Shepherd's Purse) come from?
- Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris); wild-foraged spring sansai; one of the seven spring herbs (haru-no-nanakusa) for the traditional Nanakusa-gayu rice porridge eaten on January 7
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Nazuna (Shepherd's Purse)?
- JSCI: なずな
Related ingredients — substitutes, pairings, processing chain
Often used with
Ingredients frequently paired in the same recipe or formulation.
Same category
Other ingredients in the same sub-category.
Explore related ingredients
Used in similar product applications
Other ingredients commonly used in the same finished-product families.
Abura-age (Fried Thin Tofu)
油揚げ
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Agemaki (Jackknife Clam)
あげまき
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Ago Dashi (Flying Fish Stock)
あごだし
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Ahiru-niku (Domestic Duck)
あひる 肉
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Aigamo-niku (Hybrid Duck)
かも あいがも 肉
Seasonings & saucesFermented foods
Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Related guides & how-to
Related case studies
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
Search the academic literature
Pre-filled queries for the major research databases. Opens in a new tab.
Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- 文部科学省 (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) Standard Tables of Food Composition — なずな
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.