Properties
Horsetail controls internal and external bleeding and is an astringent, healing herb, but its main effect is on the genito-urinary system. It helps to rejuvenate the hair, nails and skin, increasing calcium absorption and helping to rebuild connective tissue.
It is the plant that absorbs the most gold from the soil than any other plant (minute amounts), making it useful in treating arthritis.
It contains silicic acid, potassium, aluminum salts, flavonoids, equisetolic acid and alkaloids.
Therapeutic uses connective tissue
* Internal use o It is used internally for the treatment of prostate problems, urinary tract infection, kidney stones, incontinence, cystitis and urethritis, as well as arthritis and hemorrhage.
o It is high in silica, which is helpful for repairing connective tissue and cartilage, as well as healing wounds.
* External use o Horsetail is used externally to boost the skin and nails and also helps with hemorrhage.
o A compress made from this herb is also useful in treating wounds.
o Horsetail has traditionally been used as a diuretic, haemostatic and remineralizer.
o At first it was believed that the diuretic activity was caused by the inorganic elements of the plant (silicon), but today it seems to have been demonstrated that the action is caused by the flavonoids and saponins.
o It has a considerable haemostatic and cicatrizing action and has therefore been used traditionally to treat certain hemorrhages.
o Its rematerializing action must also be stressed, this is caused by the silicon content.
o In cosmetics, Horsetail is used as an epithelial regenerator, due to the presence of saponins and flavonoids in its composition.
o These components act to cicatrize and epithelize the skin, and silicon has also been attributed with a stabilizing action on the conjunctive tissue working through epithelial regeneration to strengthen this tissue.
* Aromatherapy and essential oil use
o None noted.
Safety precautions and warnings healing woundsHorsetail can be an irritant and internal use should be for a short limited period only. It should not be used on children.
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