Horsetail

Horsetail

Horsetail, or Equisetum arvense, is a bushy perennial that grows mostly in open fields, hence its name ‘arvense’ derived from the Latin ‘arvum’, which means ‘filed cultivated land, plowed land’.  The field horsetail plant does not flower, but instead has spores as ferns do.  It is thought to be related to a huge fernlike plant that was extremely common millions of years ago.

To the enterprising Romans, the horsetail plant was put to use for cleaning pots and pans, and making them non-stick through the silica content of the herb.  It was also used by medieval people as a finish for furniture, and other woodcrafts.

About the Herb

The horsetail plant is common throughout temperate climate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia.  The plant is recognizable by its lack of leaves and gangly stems.

One of the varieties of horsetail looks like asparagus, except for its brown color and spore-containing cones, and it typically grows in the spring.  The plant reaches maturity in summer, and branches out into thick green, sterile stems that resemble a feathery tail.

Health Uses

Horsetail became famous for its wound healing capabilities.  Long before Westerners settled in America, the natives used horsetail as a poultice to treat open wounds, and aid the healing process.  Ashes from the horsetail stems were utilized by the Thompson tribe in British Columbia to treat burns.  The Roman physician, Galen, who is famous in herbal lore, advocated the use of the plants as a kind of folk remedy for bladder and kidney troubles.

The substance in horsetail that is responsible for its wound healing quality is silica.  The herb contains silicic acid and silicates, that provide around 2 – 3% elemental silicon.  Because these substances are readily absorbed they can be used to facilitate calcium absorption.  Therefore, the horsetail plant may be used to assist bone growth, and collagen formation, that may provide anti-arthritic properties.

There are other useful substances in horsetail including, manganese, potassium, calcium,  and fifteen different sorts of bioflavonoids.  The diuretic qualities of the herb are due to the high concentration of these bioflavonoids.

Further studies on horsetail as a diuretic, led to the plant being mainly used as a mild diuretic, to increase urination and reduce swelling.  Additionally it is used as a herbal remedy for some kidney and bladder problems, including kidney stones.

Scientists have examined the herb in an endeavor to identify the substance, which is responsible for its diuretic action.  They discovered substances, known as equisetonin and flavone glycosides that seemed to promote fluid loss.  People came to believe that because horsetail could promote fluid loss, it would also assist with losing weight, but that proved to be unfounded.

Horsetail could assist with bed wetting problems and urinary incontinence.  The herb provides silica, which is known to strengthen connective tissue and reduce urinary tract irritation.  Silica may also help to repair tissue, and assist with healing for people suffering from emphysema, hemorrhoids, and bursitis.

Availability

Horsetail is marketed in various forms including, powder, fluid extracts, tincture, and tea. For urinary disorders be sure to obtain the fluid form, and also drink plenty of water so as to increase urination to assist with the problem.