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| Equiseti
hiemalis |
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| Name |
| Horsetail |
| Biological
Name |
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Equisetum arvense, Equiseti hiemalis, Mu zei
Equisetaceae
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| Other
Names |
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Shave grass, scouring rush, equisetum, pewterwort, corncob
plant, bottle brush, Horsetail
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| Parts
Used |
| stems, leaves (grass). |
| Active
Compounds |
| Horsetail is very rich in silicic
acid and silicates, which provide approximately 2-3% elemental
silicon. Potassium, aluminum, and manganese along with fifteen
different types of bioflavonoids are also found in the herb.
The presence of these bioflavonoids are believed to cause the
diuretic action, while the silicon content is said to exert
a connective tissue-strengthening and anti-arthritic action.
Some experts have suggested that the element silicon is a
vital component for bone and cartilage formations This would
indicate that horsetail may be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis.
Anecdotal reports suggest that horsetail may be of some use
in the treatment of brittle nails.
The constituents are:
Alkaloids, including nicotine, palustrine and palustrinine
Flavonoids such as isoquercitrin and equicetrin
Sterols including cholesterol, isofucosterol, campesterol.
Silicic acid.
Misc: a saponin equisitonin, dimethylsulphone, thiaminase
& aconitic acid.
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| History |
| Since it was recommended by the Roman
physician Galen, several cultures have employed horsetail as
a folk remedy for kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding
ulcers, and tuberculosis.
Additionally, the topical use of horsetail is said to stop
the bleeding of wounds and promote rapid healing. The use
of this herb as an abrasive cleanser to scour pots or shave
wood illustrates the origin of horsetail's common names-scouring
rush and shave grass.
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| Remedies
For |
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Astringent, diuretic, vulnerary, diaphoretic
Horsetail is useful for:
Brittle nails
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Water retention
Arthritis:
Horsetail absorbs gold dissolved in water better than most
plants, as much as 4 ounces per ton of fresh stalks. Small
amounts of gold is found useful for the treatment of rheumatoid
arthritis, and the Chinese used horsetail for this disease.
Diuretic:
Horsetail contains a weak diuretic chemical lending support
to its traditional use as a urinary stimulant.
Horsetail is also useful for water retention.
Horsetail is an excellent astringent for the genito-urinary
system, reducing hemorrhage and healing wounds thanks to the
high silica content. It acts as a mild diuretic. It is also
invaluable in the treatment of incontinence and bed wetting
in children. It is considered a specific in cases of inflammation
or benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Externally it
is a vulnerary. In some cases it has been found to ease the
pain of rheumatism and stimulate the healing of chilblains.
Combinations :
Horsetail is often combined with Hydrangea in the treatment
of prostate troubles.
Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine uses horsetail for such ailments as bloodshot
eyes and conjunctivitis. Because it is rich in trace minerals,
it is excellent as a semi-regular tonic.
DO NOT USE THIS HERB FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.
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| Description |
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Horsetail is widely distributed throughout the temperate
climate zones of the northern hemi-sphere, including Asia,
North America, and Europe.
Horsetail is a unique plant with two distinctive types of
stems. One variety of stem grows early in spring and looks
like asparagus, except for its brown color and the spore-containing
cones on top. The mature form of the herb, appearing in summer,
has branched, thin, green, sterile stems and looks very much
like a feathery tail.
Horsetail is the sole descendant of the giant fernlike plants
that covered the earth some 200 million years ago. The herb's
creeping rhizome sends up hollow, jointed, virtually leafless,
bamboo-like stalks that reach 6 feet. At the ends of the stacks,
spore-bearing structures develop which resemble horsetails,
corncobs, or bottle brushes.
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| Dosage |
Horsetail can be taken daily as a
tea at 1-4 grams per day.
Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of
the dried plant and let infuse for l5-20minutes.. 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 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day.
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| Safety |
| This herb should not be used by pregnant
women, those who are weak, or those with excessive dryness or
frequent urination.
Horsetail is generally considered safe for non-pregnant adults
at the recommended dose. The only concern would be that the
correct species of horse-tail is used; Equisetum palustre
is another species of horsetail, which contains toxic alkaloids
and is a well-known livestock poison. FDA rates horsetail
as a herb of undefined safety.
The Canadian Health Protection Branch requires supplement
manufacturers to document that their products do not contain
the enzyme thiaminase, found in crude horsetail, which destroys
the B vitamin thiamin. Since alcohol, temperature, and alkalinity
neutralize this potentially harmful enzyme, tinctures, fluid
extracts, or preparations of the herb subjected to 100 degreeC
temperatures during manufacturing should be the preferable
form of the plant utilized for medicinal use.
Horsetail is relatively high in selenium. Too much selenium
may cause birth defects. In marshes downstream from heavily
fertilized agricultural areas, horsetail may be hazardously
high in selenium. Pregnant women should avoid this herb.
Equisetine, a chemical contained in horsetail, in large amounts
is a nerve poison. Don't let children play with the stems.
Ingesting the juice has reportedly caused reactions in children.
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