Horsetail is one of the oldest medicinal herbs that even precedes dinosaurs on earth. People used it to heal ulcers, stop bleeding, remedy kidney problems, and fight infections back in ancient Greek and Roman times. As a source of silica, horsetail is also claimed to strengthen bones, hair, and nails. Horsetail is known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, coagulant, demulcent, diuretic and astringent activity. Used to treat:
- Brittle bones, hair, teeth and nails
- Gingivitis, tonsillitis
- Rheumatic disorders, osteoarthritis
- Edema, diabetes, acne, wounds, rashes, burns and athlete’s foot
- Ulcers, gastrointestinal conditions, cardiovascular disease
- Respiratory tract infections, bronchitis
- Bladder problems, UTIs, and bed wetting in children
Horsetail is one of the oldest medicinal herbs that even precedes dinosaurs on earth. People used it to heal ulcers, stop bleeding, remedy kidney problems, edema, rashes, itchiness, burns, frostbite, UTIs, bladder problems like incontinence, gingivitis and fight infections back in ancient Greek and Roman times. As a source of silica, horsetail is also used to strengthen bones, hair, and nails. It is related to ferns. Equisetum is a “living fossil”, the only living genus of the entire subclass that propagates with spores rather than seeds.
Horsetail is also known to strengthen the body’s immune system.
Horsetail Herb is a natural source of silica. Because of its content of silica, this plant is recommended when it is necessary for the body to repair bony tissues that are in not well condition, as a result of some trauma or because of their own corporal decalcification. Silica helps to fix calcium, so that the body can store more quantity of this mineral and it is able to form stronger bones or tendons. Research shows that silica in Horsetail may help promote hair growth and strength and may also be beneficial for hair loss, dandruff, and split ends.
Therefore, massaging its herbal tincture and washing the hair with Horsetail extract mixed shampoo may be effective to achieve dandruff free nourished, strong, lustrous, and rejuvenated hair. It can also improve the circulation in the scalp and strengthen hair follicles; this is the reason that we use Horsetail extract in all of our Sacred Plants Farmacy shampoos bars!
Side effects:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if horsetail is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Alcoholism: People who are alcoholics are generally also thiamine deficient. Taking horsetail might make thiamine deficiency worse.
Allergies to carrots and nicotine: Some people with allergy to carrot might also have allergy to horsetail. Horsetail also contains small amounts of nicotine. People with nicotine allergy might have an allergic reaction to horsetail.
Diabetes: Horsetail might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use horsetail.
Low potassium levels (hypokalemia): There is some concern that horsetail might flush potassium out of the body, possibly leading to potassium levels that are too low. Until more is known, use horsetail with caution if you are at risk for potassium deficiency.
Low thiamine levels (thiamine deficiency): Taking horsetail might make thiamine deficiency worse.
Interactions:
Lithium interacts with Horsetail
Horsetail might have an effect like a water pill or “diuretic.” Taking horsetail might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
