Horsetail Health Benefits

Herbal remedies, the use of plants and nature to cure our diseases and improve our health has been around throughout recorded history. The most natural way to feed our body for optimum nutrition and good health is through pure food sources. Food contains nutrients, enzymes, co- enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that work together harmoniously to provide your body all that it needs to function properly.

What if your body isn’t working as it should? There is often a natural fix for that as well. That is where you can look to herbs for the help you might need.

The Romans and Greeks used Horsetail to stop bleeding, heal ulcers and wounds and treat tuberculosis and kidney problems. Today in Parts of Europe horsetail is often added to salads.

Horsetail today has been used to:

Supports bone health – Osteoarthritis
A natural diuretic (increase in urine) – Weight Loss
Helps wounds heal / Stops bleeding / Prevents infection
Promotes nail health (may be used in some nail polish)
Promotes hair growth
Anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Antidiabetic (lower blood sugar levels)
Urinary tract infections / Incontinence/ Kidney Stones

Silica & Silicon

Horsetail is an abundant source of silica. Silica is comprised of silicon and oxygen. Horsetail also contain silicon. These 2 minerals help make healthy bond tissue and strengthen hair and nails. The best dietary source of silica is whole grains, unfortunately much of our dietary silica is lost in the refining process.

Osteoporosis, a weakening of bone tissue that often occurs at menopause can benefit from these minerals. Silicon is needed

Hair Growth

The amino acid cysteine and the mineral selenium are both found in horsetail and both are known to enhance hair growth.

How to take:

Horsetail can be taken as a tea, a pill supplement, ointment or tincture. When used as an ointment it is applied directly to a wound. Horsetail is generally very safe when properly used.

You may find horsetail in some nail polishes. Many skin, hair and nail products contain horsetail.

Warnings:

Horsetail contains nicotine. If you are trying to stop smoking or are allergic to nicotine. Do not take horsetail.

You may be allergic to horsetail if you have a carrot allergy.

Do not take if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Do not take if you have alcohol use disorder.

Long term use can lead to vitamin B1 deficiencies.

Herbal supplements are not approved by the FDA. There is little scientific study on herbal remedies to validate their effectiveness. Herbal supplements can interfere with prescription medication and should only be taken after approval from your health care provider.