Benefits Of “Horsetail” Supplements
Equisetum arvense / Bottle Brush Plant
Species: E. arvense
Also known as: Common mare’s tail,
shave grass, scouringbrush, equisetum,
pewterwort, corncob plant, bottle brush
Parts used: Stems
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Horsetail is high in silicon, which is vital to the health of hair, skin, and nails. It strengthens hair, nails, bone, teeth, promotes healthy skin, and increases calcium absorption.
It is also used in the treatment of cystitis (bladder infection), intestinal disorders, rheumatism and gout. It promotes the healing of broken bones and connective tissue. Can be used as a poultice to reduce bleeding and accelerate healing of wounds.
The Roman physician Galen, claimed horsetail healed severed tendons and ligaments and helped stop nosebleeds. Over the centuries, the herb gained a reputation as a wound healer.
As time passed, horsetail shed its reputation as a wound healer and gained another as a diuretic for treatment of excess water retention to reduce edema and a urinary remedy.
Horsetail is a mild diuretic with toning and astringent properties making it an effective treatment for incontinence and bed wetting in children.
Horsetail absorbs gold dissolved in water better than other plants. The amount of gold in a cup of horsetail grass tea is quite small, however, small amounts of gold are used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, which is what the Chinese use it for.
Horsetail is relatively high in selenium as well as silicon. Too much selenium may cause birth defects. Pregnant women should not use this herb. It also contains the chemical equisetine that in large amounts is a nerve poison. Children have reportedly suffered non-fatal reactions after using the hollow stem as a toy blowgun and ingesting the juices. For this reason, do not let children play with this herb.
The FDA lists horsetail as an herb of undefined safety. As with all herbal nutrition supplements, horsetail supplements should only be used in amounts typically recommended for medicinal purposes and you should always consult with a health professional first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.
CHEMICAL & NUTRIENT CONTENT:
Aconitic acid, calcium, copper, equisitine, fatty acids, fluorine, nicotine, PABA, selenium, silica, sodium, starch, vitamin B6 and zinc.
Horsetail typically grows in shallow waters and mud flats. It has bamboo like stalks with needle like leaves radiating at regular intervals and reaches the height of six feet. The end of the stalks structure resemble horse tails, corncobs, or bottle brushes.
Horsetail may be purchased from specialty nurseries or root cuttings from wild plants in the spring. Set plants or cuttings just under the surface of marshy soil. Keep it wet. To contain it; embed sheet metal in the soil to a depth of at least 18 inches. Harvest stalks in the fall.
Other herbs containing diuretic action include alfalfa, angelica, astragalus, burdock, dandelion, dong quai, fennel, garlic, gotu kola, hawthorn, mint, psyllium, rhubarb, saw palmetto, stinging nettle, and white willow.
NATURAL REMEDIES FOR PETS:
The tincture aids calcium assimilation and is useful for hair loss and keeps joints flexible.
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