Synonyms: Bottlebrush, Common Horsetail, Common Scouring Rush, Dutch Rush, Field Horsetail, Giant Horsetail, Horse Tail, Horsetails, Mare's Tail, Mu Zei, Pewterwort, Polishing Rush, Rough Horsetail, Running Clubmoss, Scouring Rush, Shave Grass, Shavetail Grass
Family: Equisetaceae
Genus species: Equisetum arvense (Common Horsetail, Field Horsetail, Shavetail Grass), Equisetum telmateia (Giant Horsetail), Homeopathy: Equisetum hyemale (Common Scouring Rush, Mu Zei, Rough Horsetail, Scouring Rush)
Type: Evergreen herb
Part Used: Sterile stems
Homeopathy: Tincture of whole fresh plant
Location: Albania, former U.S.S.R., former Yugoslavia, Hungary, Poland, North Temperate Zones
Actions: Anodyne, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, antihemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory, antisecretory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, genitourinary astringent, hematogenic, hemostyptic, immunostimulant causing a mild leukocytosis, increases calcium absorption, nutritive, skin alterative, strengthens (bones, hair, nails, skin and teeth), tonic, vulnerary, weak diuretic (brings about water diuresis without altering electrolyte balance), weight loss aid
Indications: Albuminuria, anal fissures (external), anemia, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, bed-wetting, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), boil, broken bone, cancer (bone), circulatory disorders, cirrhosis, conjunctivitis, cystitis with hematuria, dacryocystitis, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, dropsy, dyspepsia, edema, emphysema, enuresis, gallbladder disorders, gastric ulcer, glandular disorders, gleet, gonorrhea, gout, hair loss, hematuria, hemoptysis, hemorrhoids (external), incontinence, kidney stone, lithemia, lumbago, mastitis, menorrhagia, menstrual clots, muscle spasms, nosebleed, osteoporosis, poorly healing wounds, prostate gland disorders, prostatitis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, sprain, urethritis, urinary calculi
Homeopathic Indications: Calculi, cystitis, dropsy, dysuria, enuresis, gleet, gonorrhea, hematuria, oliguria, paralysis
Chemicals & Nutrients: Aluminum, Bioflavonoids, Calcium, Carbohydrates, Chromium, Fats, Fiber, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Silica, Silicon, Sodium, Vitamin C
Preparation & Dosages: (3x/day)
Dried Herb: dose 1-4 g or by infusion or decoction
Liquid Extract: 1:1 in 25% alcohol, dose 1-4 ml
Powder Extract: Do not exceed 2 g per day.
Contraindications: Cardiac dysfunction, edema due to reduced heart or kidney function, heart disease, lactation, pregnancy, renal dysfunction.
Drug Interactions: Due to the diuretic action of this herb the following drug interactions are possible: increased risk of toxicity with anti-inflammatory analgesics; if hypokalemia occurs possible antagonism with antiarrhythmics and potentiation of muscle relaxants; antagonizes antidiabetic (hypoglycemic) drugs; may potentiate and/or interfere with antihypertensives; may potentiate lithium therapy; when taken with corticosteroids there is a risk for hypokalemia; may potentiate other diuretics and increase the risk of hypokalemia.
Side Effects: (Possible adverse effects and/or overdose effects) Cold extremities, fever, loss of balance, arrythmias, muscle weakness, weight loss.
Warning: Toxic in large doses. Horsetail possesses an antithiamine action, destroying thiamine (vitamin B1) in the stomach of monogastric animals, including humans.
Note: Poultice depresses bleeding and accelerates the healing of wounds.