March 14, 2002

HORSETAIL

Alternate Names: Shavegrass, Scouring Rush, Shave Brush, Bottlebrush, Pewterwort

Parts Used: Above ground portion.

Properties: Alterative, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Hemostatic, Nutritive, Vulnerary.

Internal Uses: Acne, Arthritis, Bedwetting, Blood Loss, Catarrh, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Dysmenorrhea, Eczema, Edema, Fingernail Weakness, Fractures, Hemorrhage, Incontinence, Injury, Kidney Stones, Ligament Tear, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcers

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.

Horsetail is very rich in minerals and can be taken interally to speed the mending of bones, flesh and cartilage, as well as to improve blood coagulation time. Its high silica content strengthens the body's connective tissues and it contains trace amounts of gold, which benefits rheumatoid arthritis. Horsetail is made into a tea to spray on garden plants to prevent fungal attack.

Topical Uses: Conjunctivitis, Gingivitis, Leukorrhea, Wounds

Topical Applications: Use as a poultice for wounds, douche for leukorrhea, eyewash for conjunctivitis, foot soak for malodorous feet, hairwash to strengthen hair, and mouthwash for gingivitis.

Culinary uses: When young, the outer part can be peeled and the inner pulp eaten. Young heads can be boiled 20 minutes, the water changed and reboiled to eliminate bitter principles, after which the shoots are eaten like asparagus. The roots are tuberous and can be eaten raw in the early spring or boiled as a vegetable later in the year.

Energetics: Sweet, Bitter, Cool, Dry.

Chemical Constituents: Flavonoids, bitter principle, alkaloids (equisetin, nicotine, palustrine, palustrinine), silica, calcium, manganese, magnesium, sulphur, phytosterols, tannin.

Contraindications: Large amounts can be toxic due to the presence of the alkaloid equisetin. If eaten over a long period of time, it can cause a deficiency in vitamin B-1, as the plant contains an enzyme that destroys B-1. However, cooking and tincturing Horsetail destroys that enzyme, making the Horsetail safe. Horsetail should only be collected in the spring so as to minimize excessive selenium content. Long term use can have irritating effects on the kidneys.

Comments: The Latin name, Equiseteum arvense, translates to 'horse tail of the fields'. During the Carboniferous Period, Horsetail was a predominant plant, growing up to 40 feet tall or more. It reproduces by spores, rather than pollen.

The folk name scouring rush alludes to this plant's utility as a very fine grade of sandpaper, and it has been used to file stone projectile points and polish wood and even cookware.

-- Phil in KS (pemccoy@yahoo.com), March 14, 2002

Answers

I use this herb for my arthritis. My horse also eats it for her arthritis. It is the only thing that works. It also helps to balance hormones, which is also a component of degenerative joint disease. I first discovered this herb while treating a puppy with a shatterd spine. He had a complete recovery.

-- Laura (LadybugWrangler@somewhere.com), March 15, 2002.