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Botanical Name: Equisetum arvense
Plant Family: Equisitaceae
Common names: Dutch Rushes, Horsetail Grass, Horsetail Rush, Paddock pipes, Pewterwort, Schachtelhalm, Scouring Rush, Shave Grass
Origin: Britain and Europe. Horsetail needs swamps and damp places to thrive and grows in fields, on hedge banks and railway embankments.
History: The name Equisetum is derived from the Latin words equus , 'a horse' and seta, 'a bristle'.
The Nevada Indians used it:
- to make whistles
- for urinary tract infections
The young shoots were eaten by Romans of the 17th century and American Indians of the 19th and 20th centuries
The Swiss Abbe Kuenzle stated 'all pain caused by rheumatism, gout and nerves would disappear....' if everyone drank a cup of Horsetail tea every day.
Tradition:
- Whistles made from the stalks of Horsetail were used to call the spirits
Plant Constituents
Contains:
- Aconitic Acid
- alkaloids
- bitters
- flavonoids
- saponins
- Silicic acid (between 3-16%) which encourages the absorption and use of calcium by the body
Usage
Medicinal Parts Used: Herb
Horsetail is used for:
Blood Conditions
- anemia
- bleeding of the lungs, uterus and stomach
- blood staunching (to stop bleeding)
- decreases bleeding
- helps in coagulation
- hemorrhages (internal and external)
- hemorrhoids
- spitting of blood
- vomiting of blood
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
- depression, delusion and fits of rage, with Yarrow and Nettle
- nerves
Cardiovascular Conditions
- prevents fatty deposits in the arteries
Female Conditions
- excessive menstrual flow
- leucorrhea
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- cleanses the stomach
- polyps in the abdomen or anus
- stomach ulcers
- stomatitis (gargle)
Genitourinary Conditions
- bedwetting in children
- bladder catarrh
- cystitis
- difficulty in urinating
- dropsy
- gout
- incontinence
- kidney and bladder trouble including gravel and stones
- painful urination
- promotes the expulsion of fluid through the urinary system
- prostate problems
- tones and heals further damage to the urinary system
- urinary tract infections
- water retention associated with kidney disorders
Inflammatory Conditions
- rheumatism
- rheumatoid arthritis
Respiratory Tract Conditions
- accumulation of water in the pericardium or pleura
- chronic bronchitis
- fistulas and adenoids in palate or throat
- inflammation or bleeding of the gums
- inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth
- tonsillitis
- tuberculosis of the lungs
Other
- cramp-like pains
- encourages the absorption and use of calcium by the body
- general debility
- helps brittle nails and hair (due to its high silica content)
- helps broken bones heal faster
- inhibits tumors
- vomiting
- white spots on nails
Externally Horsetail is used for:
- barber's itch
- bony projections on the heel
- broken nails
- caries
- cancer-like growths
- cracked feet
- external bleeding
- fistulas
- hemorrhoids
- herpes
- itching rashes, even if they are festering or scabby
- inflammation of the nail bed
- old festering wounds
Horsetail Compress
Horsetail Poultices
- bursitis
- drawing out foul smelling pus from wounds and sores
- healing of wounds
- liver and gallbladder attacks
- painful congestions which press upon the heart
- skin eruptions
- stomach pains
- ulcers
Horsetail Sitz bath
- disc lesions not caused by a pinched nerve
- leucorrhoea (white discharge in women)
- lifeless hair
Horsetail Steam bath
- relieves kidney and bladder problems, especially stones in the bladder
The plant alone, boiled in water, makes an excellent foot soak for:
- the treatment of athlete's foot
- tired feet
Other Uses:
- Used to clean metal and pewter
Action:
- astringent [an agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges] especially for the genital and urinary system
- coagulant [an agent that induces clotting in a liquid, as in blood]
- diuretic [an agent that increases the secretion and expulsion of urine]
- healing
- hemostatic [an agent that stops bleeding]
- soothing
- vulnerary [a healing application for wounds]
Precautions
Caution:
- Do not use if pregnant or nursing
- Excessive dosage can lead to symptoms of poisoning
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