Horsetail's therapeutic uses
Horsetail, a unique plant known for its high silicon content, has been associated with various therapeutic uses, including the treatment of brittle nails, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Traditionally, it has been utilized for a range of health conditions such as urinary disorders, wounds, and digestive issues. Its potential benefits may extend to diuretic effects, skin health, antioxidant properties, and anti-inflammatory capabilities, which could aid in mitigating chronic health conditions and promoting overall wellness.
While some studies suggest horsetail might help with bone density and kidney stone treatment, the scientific evidence supporting these claims remains limited. It's important to note that horsetail should be approached with caution, as it can have side effects and may interact with certain medications. This plant is not recommended for vulnerable populations, including young children and pregnant or nursing women. If considering horsetail for medicinal purposes, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to ensure safety and proper use.
Horsetail's therapeutic uses
DEFINITION: Natural plant product used to treat specific health conditions.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED USES: Brittle nails, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diuretic, skin health, wound healing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, high blood pressure, hair loss, heavy menstrual bleeding
Overview
Horsetail is a living fossil, the sole descendant of primitive plants eaten by dinosaurs one hundred million years ago. Horsetail contains unusually high levels of the element silicon, making the herb so abrasive that it can be used for polishing. In addition, the plant can incorporate dissolved gold and other minerals into its structure. Medicinally, horsetail has been used for treating urinary disorders, wounds, gonorrhea, nosebleeds, digestive disorders, gout, and many other conditions.
Therapeutic Dosages
The standard dosage of horsetail is one gram in capsule or tea form, up to three times daily, as needed. Medicinal horsetail should not be confused with its highly toxic relative, the marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre).
Therapeutic Uses
Silicon plays a role in bone health, so horsetail has been recommended to prevent and treat osteoporosis and strengthen brittle nails. The famous German herbalist Rudolf Weiss also suggested that horsetail could relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, there is limited scientific evidence for these proposed uses. One study published in 2007 showed improvements in bone density amongst study participants who supplemented with horsetail. However, the improvements were not statistically significant. Horsetail has shown some effectiveness in treating uric acid kidney stones through diuresis. It is also believed to have antioxidant effects, aiding cancer prevention. These antioxidant properties and horsetail’s anti-inflammatory powers can also protect against free radicals leading to chronic health conditions. Horsetail has also been suggested to help control heavy menstrual bleeding, reduce blood pressure, and help mitigate hair loss. Horsetail may also effectively treat kidney stones, urinary tract infections, brittle nails, and minor wounds and burns; however, more study is needed.
Safety Issues
Noticeable side effects from standard dosages of horsetail tea are rare. However, horsetail contains an enzyme that damages vitamin B1 (thiamin) and has caused severe illness and even livestock death that consumed too much of it. In Canada, horsetail products are required to undergo heating or other forms of processing to inactivate this harmful constituent.
In addition, perhaps because horsetail contains low levels of nicotine, children have been known to become seriously ill from using horsetail branches as blow guns. This plant can also concentrate toxic metals present in its environment. For these reasons, horsetail is not recommended for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe kidney or liver disease.
Persons taking the medication lithium should use herbal diuretics, such as horsetail, only under the supervision of a physician, as becoming dehydrated while taking this medication can be dangerous. Horsetail may also cause loss of potassium, which may be dangerous for people taking drugs in the digitalis family. Individuals taking drugs in the digitalis family or taking lithium should use horsetail only under medical supervision.
Bibliography
Brinker, F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oreg.: Eclectic Medical, 1998.
"Horsetail." Mount Sinai, www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/horsetail. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
"Horsetail - LiverTox." NCBI, 25 July 2022, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK583202. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Pyevich, D., and M. P. Bogenschutz. "Herbal Diuretics and Lithium Toxicity." American Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 158, 2001, pp. 1329.
Warwick, Kathy W. "Horsetail: Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects." Healthline, 14 June 2023, www.healthline.com/nutrition/horsetail. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.