Note: This article first appeared in The Future of Health Now in 2013
A shadow of prehistoric times, horsetail is
not like the other weeds you'll find out and about. With its hard, sectioned
body and long, leg-like appendages, horsetail resembles an insect more than its
namesake. Paleozoic-era horsetail grew as tall as trees, and there have even
been varieties of horsetail found in Australia as tall as houses! However, old
farmers and countrymen wisely collected this herb in the springtime, for its
rare mix of essential minerals and unique healing properties are a blessing to
have on hand.
Common Horsetail is best known for its high silica content, which creates the plant's hard, sectioned body as it ages. Silica is a vital component of calcium absorption and utilization, and horsetail is therefore invaluable for the repair of damaged lungs, broken bones, damaged teeth, and weak hair or nails. Silica is vital for tissue repair, so it is helpful after any injury, bronchitis, emphysema, or arthritic damage. Drinking an infusion of horsetail daily will reduce nail ridges and prevent white spots. Horsetail may also be applied directly to wounds in the form of a compress or poultice. For arthritic pain, add horsetail infusion (4 tbsp boiled in 1L water) to baths and soak for at least 30 minutes.
As horsetail is a diuretic with many trace minerals, it is also used in the treatment of various kidney and urinary issues, including damage caused by kidney and bladder stones, but only the young plants. Horsetail has also been used as a remedy for bedwetting in children, although due to its high selenium content, and possible trace amounts of alkaloids such as nicotine, care should be taken when used by children under twelve or in anyone with a heart condition. Horsetail should be avoided while pregnant, nursing, or in children under two. Horsetail also contains an enzyme which may deplete the body of thiamine (B1) which is neutralized by heat, so be sure to always bring large amounts horsetail to a boil, or else be sure to receive extra B vitamins via diet or supplementation.
Besides its medicinal uses, horsetail is also a valuable food source. In the spring, the young shoots resemble asparagus and may be prepared in dishes just like the popular vegetable. As it matures and the silica inside crystallizes, making the plant rather hard, horsetail is wonderful for cleaning pots, polishing metal, or even smoothing out wood, used much like sandpaper (think wooden spoons or bowls). Horsetail grows along ditches and in rich, wet soil, so this is a wonderful and readily available tool for campers washing pots and pans in creeks.
If you have any health conditions or are on any medication, be sure to consult a medical professional before taking horsetail, or starting any herbal regime.
Bone/Tooth Repair Tea
Fill a pot with 3 cups of water and add:
1 tsp horsetail
3 tsp nettle
4 pine needles
Allow the brew to come to a boil and sit for a few hours, preferably overnight. Sip during the day. May be sweetened as desired.
Common Horsetail is best known for its high silica content, which creates the plant's hard, sectioned body as it ages. Silica is a vital component of calcium absorption and utilization, and horsetail is therefore invaluable for the repair of damaged lungs, broken bones, damaged teeth, and weak hair or nails. Silica is vital for tissue repair, so it is helpful after any injury, bronchitis, emphysema, or arthritic damage. Drinking an infusion of horsetail daily will reduce nail ridges and prevent white spots. Horsetail may also be applied directly to wounds in the form of a compress or poultice. For arthritic pain, add horsetail infusion (4 tbsp boiled in 1L water) to baths and soak for at least 30 minutes.
As horsetail is a diuretic with many trace minerals, it is also used in the treatment of various kidney and urinary issues, including damage caused by kidney and bladder stones, but only the young plants. Horsetail has also been used as a remedy for bedwetting in children, although due to its high selenium content, and possible trace amounts of alkaloids such as nicotine, care should be taken when used by children under twelve or in anyone with a heart condition. Horsetail should be avoided while pregnant, nursing, or in children under two. Horsetail also contains an enzyme which may deplete the body of thiamine (B1) which is neutralized by heat, so be sure to always bring large amounts horsetail to a boil, or else be sure to receive extra B vitamins via diet or supplementation.
Besides its medicinal uses, horsetail is also a valuable food source. In the spring, the young shoots resemble asparagus and may be prepared in dishes just like the popular vegetable. As it matures and the silica inside crystallizes, making the plant rather hard, horsetail is wonderful for cleaning pots, polishing metal, or even smoothing out wood, used much like sandpaper (think wooden spoons or bowls). Horsetail grows along ditches and in rich, wet soil, so this is a wonderful and readily available tool for campers washing pots and pans in creeks.
If you have any health conditions or are on any medication, be sure to consult a medical professional before taking horsetail, or starting any herbal regime.
Bone/Tooth Repair Tea
Fill a pot with 3 cups of water and add:
1 tsp horsetail
3 tsp nettle
4 pine needles
Allow the brew to come to a boil and sit for a few hours, preferably overnight. Sip during the day. May be sweetened as desired.
*Please always consult a healthcare professional of your choosing if you are on medication or have a health condition before beginning any herbal regime*
Resources:
- Prescription for Herbal Healing: 2nd Edition - Phyllis A. Balch, CNC
- The New Age Herbalist - Richard Mabey
- Wise Woman Herbal: Healing Wise - Susan S. Weed
- http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/horsetail
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