General Description
Horsetail is a perennial, rush-like herb found in all parts of the
world except New Zealand and Australia. Common along stream banks
and in moist woods and meadows, the plant appears in two distinct
phases, one fertile, the other sterile. In the fertile first stage,
which occurs in early spring, the plant grows from 10 to 20 centimeters
in height, with brownish, tubular stalks that resemble asparagus.
Small flower spikes occur at the tops of the stalks. In the second,
sterile stage, horsetail grows whorls of slender, jointed branches,
up to a half meter in height. The stems from the second phase are
used for medicinal purposes.
Health Applications
- Water retention
- Wound healing
- Bone strength
- Joint health
- Skin and nails
History and Traditional Use
Horsetail's high silica content makes it an excellent abrasive,
and in the past the herb has been used to scour pots and pans
as well as to sand wood and polish metals. The plant has been
used medicinally for several centuries. The Roman physician Galen
prescribed horsetail for a variety of medicinal applications as
far back as the second century A.D. The 17th century British herbalist
Nicholas Culpeper recommended horsetail to aid wound healing,
as a diuretic, and as a remedy for "inward ulcers" and various
skin inflammations.1 More recently, enthusiasts
have promoted horsetail as a diuretic and as a remedy for kidney
and bladder ailments.2
Chemical Composition
Horsetail contains high concentrations of silica, along with a
saponin known as equisetonin and several flavone glycosides.2
Contemporary Uses
Germany's Commission E has approved horsetail as a mild diuretic
to be used for post-traumatic and static edema and for irrigation
therapy in kidney stones and diseases of the lower urinary tract.
It has been approved for external use in compresses for supportive
treatment of poorly healing wounds.3 Many
herbalists recommend horsetail as a good source of silica, a trace
mineral that plays an important role in the formation of bone
and cartilage4 and may also benefit hair,
skin, and nails.
Dosage/Toxicity
The daily dosage for horsetail approved by Commission E is 6 grams
of fresh or dried stems, or equivalent preparations. The herb
has no known side effects at this dosage range. |
