Latin Name
Equisetum arvense

General Description
Horsetail has been valued since ancient times for its ability to stem the flow of blood, bind tissues and increase urine production. It is rich in silica, which helps mend broken bones and form collagen, an important constituent of bones and tissue. Herbalists today prescribe horsetail for urinary problems, wounds, benign prostate disorders and the pain of rheumatism or arthritis. More closely related to ferns than to flowering plants, horsetail is a perennial with hollow stems and shoots that resemble asparagus. All the aboveground parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes.

Target Ailments
Taken internally for:

• Bladder infections, cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, kidney stones and stomach ulcers; broken bones or sprained tendons; strengthening nails, skin and hair; pain of rheumatism or arthritis.
  

Applied externally for:

• Sores, wounds and inflammations.

Preparations
Over the counter:
Available as dried or fresh herb, capsules and tincture.

At home:
Tea: 2 tsp. dried herb or 1 tbsp. fresh herb steeped per cup of boiling water for 15 minutes. For bladder or kidney disorders, consumed cold, up to four cups a day. Tea applied externally to wounds, sores or mouth irritations.
Sitz bath: 3 to 4 oz. of herb soaked in 2 quarts of water for 5 minutes; steeped 30 minutes and added to bathwater.
Combinations: Used with hydrangea for prostate problems.

Special Information

• WARNING: Do not take internally for more than three consecutive days and do not exceed the recommended dosage; extended use may cause kidney or cardiac damage.
  
• Use only under a doctor's care. People with cardiac disease or high blood pressure should use horsetail with caution.
  
• Pregnant women should avoid horsetail. The herb's high selenium content can cause birth defects.
  
• The silica in horsetail, which aids in building cartilage, may help menopausal women offset the bone loss of osteoporosis, although this use has not been clinically tested in humans.
  
• Use low-strength doses for adults over 65 and children between 2 and 12 years old. Do not give horsetail to children under 2. Do not let children put the hollow stalks in their mouths; ingesting the juice can make children ill.