Horsetail

Horsetail

Also called Mare’s tail, Shave grass, Bottlebrush and Pewterwort

Latin Name: Equisetum Arvense
Family: Equisetaceae

Part used: Aerial parts, fresh and dried
Energetics: Bland, Bitter, Salty, Cooling
Iris: All iris types
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

  • Avoid internal use in children.
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Not safe for heavy drinkers due to reduction in Thiamine, and for those with low potassium as these levels may also drop.
  • Long term use of Horsetail tea or tincture is not advisable. Take a break after a week of using horsetail.
  • Not for use with those on Nicotine patches, as it contains Nicotine.

ACTIONS

  • Nutritive
  • Alterative
  • Diaphoretic
  • Astringent
  • Hemostatic
  • Hepatic
  • Diuretic
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Lithotriptic
  • Vulnerary

Main Constituents

  • Silica
  • Flavonoids
  • Alkaloids (including nicotine)
  • Saponins
  • Phytosterols
  • Tannins
  • Manganese
  • Sulfur
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium, chromium, fluorine, iron.

Main Uses

Musculo-Skeletal: Treatment for osteoporosis and increasing bone density.|
Urinary System: Kidney tonic, Diuretic properties, Fluid retention
Skin: Reduces swelling, Oedema, Wound healing

More About Horsetail

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a primitive looking herb, a close relative of the fern, whose stem appears jointed like that of the bones of a horse’s tail.
The name Equisetum comes from the Latin equus, meaning "horse," and seta, meaning "bristle." It is a perennial plant with hollow stems and asparagus-like shoots when the stems first appear.
As the plant dries, silica crystals form in the stems, which give the plants a scratchy feel. It was used for this reason historically or polish metals like pewter, leading to the name Pewterwort.
Horsetail has mainly been used because it contains the mineral silica, which can help to strengthen bone, hair, nails and soft tissue. It was used traditionally to stop bleeding and heal ulcers and wounds.
It was also known as a herb for lungs and used to treat TB. However inhaling parts of the dried herb can irritate the lungs due to the high silica content which is abrasive.
It is normally taken as a tea, tincture or syrup. It can be juiced too, although it should not be used over a long time. It should be combined with marshmallow or other demulcent herb to balance the astringent effect of the herb. Horsetail was traditionally used as a diuretic for urinary infections.
Interestingly, homeopathic silica is used for patients who lack stamina, who have abcesses and other inflammatory and suppurating conditions, poor peripheral circulation and sensitivity to cold.

References

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