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Horsetail Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Horsetail comes from the tall, hollow stems of Equisetum arvense. Resembling wetland rushes, this plant has scale-like leaves and no flowers.

Horsetail is a descendent of huge, tree-like plants that thrived 400 million years ago during the Paleozoic era. A close relative of the fern, horsetail is a non-flowering weed found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America. The plant is a perennial (returns each year) with hollow stems and shoots that look like asparagus. As the plant dries, silica crystals that form in the stems and branches give the plant a scratching effect, thus accounting for its historic use in polishing metal, particularly pewter.

Horsetail contains high concentrations of silicic acid and other silicates. Additionally, horsetail contains potassium, aluminum, and manganese, along with variety of flavonoids. These flavonoids, as well as other substances found in horse tail, are what appear provide this herb with strong diuretic effects that promote the loss of water from the body; the silicates found in horsetail are believed responsible for the herb's ability to strengthen connective tisse and it anti-arthritic actions. A few herbal specialists also believe that the organic silicon concentrations found in horsetail may also promote bone and cartilage formation and may be useful for treating brittle nails and related conditions.

Common doses of horsetail

Horsetail comes as a liquid extract. Goldenrod-Horsetail Compound, a blend ofliquid extracts, contains 22.5% goldenrod flowering tips, 22.5% corn silk, 22.5% horsetail, 22.5% pipsissewa leaf, and 10% juniper berry. Some experts recommend the following doses:

• For short-term use, 20 to 40 drops in water taken orally three to five times daily.
• For extended use, 20 to 40 drops in water taken orally two or three times daily.

Uses of horsetail herb

Horsetail has not been extensively studied people, but professional herbalists recognize that the herb has diuretic (promotes the excretion of urine) properties that may be useful for the following health problems:

• As a styptic (to stop bleeding)
• Cancer
• Fever
• Fluid retention
• Gonorrhea
• Gout
• Indigestion
• Rheumatism
• To strengthen tissues in tuberculosis patients

Side effects of horsetail

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of horsetail:

• allergic reaction
• poor coordination
• fever
• seborrheic dermatitis (greasy skin scales)
• irregular heartbeats
• muscle weakness
• weight loss.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking, especially:

• diuretics (don't use horsetail when taking these)
• nervous system stimulants, such as nicotine replacement products used as an aid to smoking cessation.

Important paints to remember

• Don't use large amounts of horsetail because it can cause nicotine poisoning.
• Keep this herb out of reach of children and pets.
• Remember that horsetail contains nicotine.

What the research shows

Research shows that horsetail has a weak diuretic effect. But medical experts don't recommend it for this use because it can be toxic and because safer, more effective diuretics are available. Claims that horsetail products can aid urination and strengthen hair, bone, nails, and connective tissue haven't been explored.

Other names for horsetail: -

Other names for horsetail include bottle brush, dutch rush, paddock pipes, pewterwort, scouring rush, and shave grass.

A product containing horsetail is sold as Goldenrod-Horsetail Compound.