Horsetail Herb

Scientific Name(S): Equisetum arvense L. Family: Equisetaceae

Common Name(S): Horsetail, souring rush, bottle brush, scouring rush, shave grass

Horsetail ( Equisetum arvense ), an herbal remedy dating back to at least ancient Roman and Greek medicine, was used traditionally to stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounds, and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems. The name Equisetum is derived from the Latin roots equus , meaning "horse" and seta , meaning "bristle."

Botany: Horsetail is a pteridophyte more closely related to ferns than to flowering plants. This rush-like perennial grows to about 1 foot and has hollow jointed stems and scale-like leaves.

History: Horsetail had been used as a metal polisher owing to the abrasive nature of its high silica content. Traditionally, the plant has been used as a diuretic, as an antitubercular drug, and in the treatment of kidney and bladder disturbances. Externally, it has been used in cosmetics and as an astringent to stop bleeding and stimulate wound healing.

Uses of Horsetail

Horsetail has been used as a diuretic and treatment of kidney and bladder disturbances, as an astringent to stop bleeding and stimulate healing, as an antitubercular drug and as a cosmetic component.

Horsetail is a storehouse of minerals and vitamins. A tea can be taken to enrich the blood, hardens the fingernails and revitalizes lifeless hair. It also is good for those white spots that occur on the finger nails, which indicate a calcium imbalance in the body.

Side Effects of Horsetail

The diuretic effects of horsetail may enhance the toxic effects of digoxin, a medication used to treat irregular heart rhythms and, sometimes, congestive heart failure. For this reason, people taking digoxin should note take horsetail without first consulting a healthcare provider.

Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried plant and let infuse for l5-20 minutes.. This should be drunk three times a day. Bath: a useful bath can be made to help in rheumatic pain and chilblains. Allow l00 grams (3 l/2 ounces of the herb to steep in hot water for an hour. Add this to the bath. Tincture: take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Toxicology: Horsetail has been listed as an herb of undefined safety by the FDA. Ingestion of large amounts of the fern may be toxic. Children have been reported to have been poisoned by using the stems as blow guns or whistles. In animals, the ingestion of horsetail produces muscle weakness, ataxia, weight loss, abnormal pulse rate, cold extremities and fever; these symptoms are similar to those seen in nicotine intoxication. Hay composed of 20% or more E. arvense produced these symptoms in 2 to 5 weeks. Cattle appear to recognize the odor of horsetail and have been documented to have refused hay contaminated with about 12% horsetail.

Summary: Horsetail continues to find some use in OTC herbal preparations. It contains small amounts if nicotine and other physiologically active compounds and is a marginally effective diuretic.