Horsetail: What is it, Use, Benefits and Medicinal Properties

Horsetail belongs to the Equisetaceae family. In fact, it is probably the last specimen that comes from this plants. It was named like this because it looks like the tail of a horse.

What is Horsetail?

Nowadays, Horsetail is one of the most complete and used medicinal herbs. It is a perennial plant that grows near aqueous areas like swamps, streams, or rivers. Horsetail grows in the warm areas of the Northern hemisphere of Asia, Europe, North American, and North Africa. It sprouts wherever it can get a grip, either in water, soil, or clay. Moreover, it has a lot of therapeutic properties, and it mainly stands out due to its cleansing effects and its use for skin care. Some of its remarkable properties are: Antiseptic, Anti-inflammatory, or Anti-aging effects.

This ancient plant grows in the northern hemisphere and it has two types of stem: one which is smaller and fertile, with a spike with spores in one end; the other is infertile, green, empty, and longer. This is the one used for its medicinal properties.

Where does Horsetail come from?

We could say that it is a prehistoric plant. In other words, we could be co-existing with a type of plant that already existed at the time of our ancestors. Horsetail is a perennial herb, which means that “it comes back year after year”. It does not have an annual growth system. The plants are have small tubers and an extensive system of crawling roots that can deeply grow in the ground.

Horsetail is an ancestral plant

Features of Horsetail

This type of herb does not have leaves or flowers. We can notice how it grows in its stems, mainly in two phases: first, the birth of the fertile stem happens during spring, until it withers. Then, the second phase follows with the growth of the infertile stems. This takes place during the summer when the stem is collected to take advantage of its properties.

Unlike other plants, horsetail reproduces through spores, not seeds, which is quite unique

Composition of Horsetail

We can find plenty of substances in this incredible plant. For example:

• Minerals: silicon, potassium, aluminium, manganese
• Phytonutrients: saponins, phytosterols, phenolic acid, caffeic acid, alkaloids, tanins and bioflavonoids.

What are the uses of Horsetail?

The medicinal use of Horsetail goes back to the Ancient Roman and Greek civilizations. Then, it was used to treat wounds, due to its wound-healing properties, which prevented the person from bleeding to death. Thanks to this, it was a remedy to avoid anemia. This disease basically happens due to low iron levels due to bleeding, which results in a overall state of weakness.

In addition, it could also treat cases of ulcers, kidney stones and inflammation.

Its high silicon content contributes to preserving the bone tissue, increasing the absorption and storage of calcium. Consequently, our body can use it later on to repair the bones, collagen and other tissues. Actually, it can even strengthen the nails and hair. In fact, horsetail can fight against osteoporosis because it is an excellent source of silicon.

Properties of Horsetail

Therapeutic properties

Horsetail has a wide range of therapeutic properties. Above all, this is due to the fact that the stems are rich in mineral salts such as selenium and potassium. Moreover, it also provides several flavonoids and alkaloids. All of these elements gather in horsetail to provide a natural cleansing and diuretic effect. Consequently, this increases the urine in a 30% in some cases. That is the reason why people tend to use it against fluid retention, urinary infections, kidney stones and also obesity.

Bone Health

Another benefit from this plant is that it helps to strengthen and remineralize the bones. This is due to its silicon content, a mineral that improves the absorption of calcium. Consequently, the body can store more calcium apart from regenerating and strengthening the bone system. Horsetail can actually help to heal fractures, osteoporosis, ligament fractures or muscle distensions.

Wound-healing

In addition, horsetail is a good remedy to stop hemorrhages and it has considerable wound-healing effects. It has pectic and gallic acid, which have hemostatic properties against nose bleeds/, metrorrhagia, uterine bleeding, bleeding hemorrhoids…

Benefits of Horsetail

The benefits of horsetail do not only have to do with its healing properties, but it is also used for several esthetic treatments.

Support for the Immune System

Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-septic properties, the extract of this plant can protect us from the invasion or the external attack of pathogens and other substances that could compromise the immune system. In fact, this is extremely useful, for example, when we are recovering from a disease or infection, which tends to weaken our defense mechanisms.

Relieve the Inflammation

Using horsetail as supplementation can be interesting if we suffer some kind of pathology that produces inflammation, like arthritis or gout, which cause swelling and pain. Thanks to the natural analgesic compounds that are present in this herb, it can quickly calm these symptoms.

Lose weight

As we previously mentioned, the diuretic properties of this plant support weight loss and combat cellulite. Drinking horsetail infusions contributes to weight loss diets, fights liquid retention, and it also helps to eliminate toxins.

Hair and nails

Consuming horsetail is also helpful when it comes to taking care of our hair and prevent the onset of both white hairs and baldness. It is a good formula to improve the strength of the hair, prevent hair loss and the onset of dandruff due to its silicon content. This mineral also helps to take care of fragile and brittle nails by strengthening them and preventing them from easily breaking. Moreover, it is a natural regenerating element, which is an excellent method to treat stretch marks.

Skin

It is also a very effective remedy to treat the skin symptoms, it tends to be used to combat acne, eczema, and dermatitis due to its astringent and soothing properties.

Respiratory Problems

Drinking natural horsetail infusions can be an useful way to relieve the symptoms of nasal congestion or colds in those who constantly have problems related to the respiratory system. It works as an expectorant, it cleans the mucosity and phlegm which is where the bacteria are settled. It can reduce and even eliminate coughing and the irritation of the throat.

How can we consume Horsetail?

There are different ways of using horsetail:

• Externally, by washing the hair, applying it on the affected areas.
• Internally, through decoctions, infusions and/or horsetail tea.
• Horsetail Supplements, always following the instructions of each product.

Contraindications of Horsetail

Even though its use does not seem to involve contraindications or side effects if we use it responsibly, it is important to consult a specialist or doctor in order to enjoy the benefits of horsetail without any worries.

Where can I buy Horsetail?

You can buy Horsetail Supplements at HSNstore and always at the best price.

Horsetail Infusion

In order to make a good horsetail infusion you will need:

• Heat the water until it boils
• Add two or three spoonfuls of the dry plant (or a horsetail teabag) to a cup. If you want to make a mixed infusion, you can elder or lime.
• Pour the boiling water on the plant and cover it immediately. Let it set for a few minutes so that the oils do not evaporate, since it is where the main properties of horsetail are.
• Strain and take little sips.