Horsetail, Equisetum arvense

Goldenseal Extract: 1/2 cup Goldenseal root, ground into a powder, 2 cups of distilled water. Nonreactive pot: stainless steel or enamel. Bring the water to a boil and add the goldenseal powder. Reduce the heat to a low simmer. Simmer the mixture until the water is reduced by one quarter, leaving 1 1/2 cups of liquid in the pot. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then strain out the root. Store the mixture in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or divide into small portions and store in the freezer for longer periods.

Horsetail is often considered a weed, one that is particularly hard to exterminate. I rejoice at the sight of this herb. It grows easily and spreads in almost any soil. It spreads by spores rather than seeds. Its high silica content makes its scouring ability useful to gently clean your teeth or wash your dishes. I have used it for both.

Identification: Also known as snake grass, puzzle grass, bottlebrush, and mare’s tale, common horsetail is an unusual looking plant. The leaves are not true leaves and do not conduct photosynthesis. They are arranged in whorls fused into nodal sheaths. Photosynthesis happens in the hollow green stems. The stems are jointed and have 3 to 40 ridges. There may be whorls of branches at the nodes. This perennial plant has no flowers and produces no seeds. It reproduces entirely by spores. Edible Use: The early spring fertile shoots (tan in color) of both Giant Horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) and Common Horsetail can be peeled and eaten raw. The green infertile shoots are cooked and eaten like asparagus. They are bitter, especially as they age. Do not eat them raw. Changing the water three to four times during cooking helps relieve the bitter flavor. The roots can be eaten raw, but they are difficult to collect in quantity, so they usually are eaten only in a starvation situation. Medicinal Use: The green vegetative stalks of Horsetail are extremely high in silica, which benefits joints and connective tissue. It is a gentle diuretic, astringent, and styptic. Bleeding and Healing Wounds: The plant’s styptic properties make it useful in healing wounds and stopping bleeding. Collect the barren stems or tops and apply directly to the wound. It is also useful to treat excessive menstruation when taken as a supplement.

Promotes Healthy Bones, Hair, and Teeth:

Because it contains high amounts of silica, it promotes strong hair, teeth, and bones and increases bone density in people with osteoporosis when used consistently. It can also be made into a strengthening conditioning wash for the hair. A tooth powder of Horsetail helps with cavities and enamel repair. Kidney Problems and Edema: Horsetail is a diuretic, helping to rid the body of excess fluids and salts. It is useful for treating related kidney problems and edemas but it is not for long-term use. It promotes the elimination of uric acid, preventing or reducing the formation of kidney stones. Alleviates Signs of Aging: The silica in horsetail stimulates the production of collagen, which is important in the skin aging process. It helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles and promotes healthy hair. It can be used internally, externally as a toner, or added to a topical cream or salve.

Treats Infections: Horsetail has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial properties that help to prevent and treat infections. Treat skin infections with a warm compress or poultice made of the crushed, dried herb. Use two to three times daily. Foot Fungus and Infections: Soak the feet in water infused with a generous portion of horsetail powder. Soak the feet for 15 minutes daily to treat an infection and every other day to prevent infections.

Nasal Congestion, Bronchitis, and Respir-

atory Ailments: Boil horsetail tea and inhale the vapors or use horsetail tea in your steam humidifier. Inhaling the herb vapors can help alleviate nasal and bronchial congestion. It acts as an expectorant and strengthens the immune system while relieving the inflammation. Sore Throat: Make a gargle with salt water, horsetail powder, and lemon juice for a sore throat. Gargle several times a day until symptoms disappear.

Bladder Problems, Urinary Tract Infec-

tions, and Frequent Urination: Take a capsule of horsetail powder, up to 2 grams, three times daily to relieve bladder problems and frequent urination caused by urinary tract infections. It is also helpful to soak in a bath containing horsetail powder. Soak for at least 15 minutes, several times weekly.

Boosts Immunity and Relieves Inflamma-

tion: The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of horsetail products boost the body’s immunity and protects against invasion by pathogens that can infect the body. It also relieves inflammation throughout the body. Take horsetail tea or horsetail powder in capsule form regularly for best effects.

Increases Brain Function and Cognition:

The antioxidants in horsetail increase cognitive abilities by increasing the neural pathways. It is said to increase cognitive abilities and is used for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Try horsetail powder in capsule form. Treats Diabetes: Horsetail supplements and Horsetail Tea act to balance insulin levels in the body, lowering blood sugar and preventing the peaks and valleys common in diabetes. Use horsetail as a temporary diabetes management when necessary. Not for long term use. Harvesting: For medicine, harvest the green vegetative stalks spring through early summer when the leaves are still “up” and bright green. You can also snip the tops off in summer. Warning: Use horsetail moderately and for a limited time only. Overuse can have side effects, which tend to occur after two or more months of use. Long-term use can cause side effects including: thiamine deficiency, potassium deficiency, lowered blood sugar levels, nicotine toxicity, and kidney irritation. Do not consume horsetail if you are pregnant or lactating. Avoid using Equisetum palustre (Marsh Horsetail), as it has slight toxicity. Be careful where you collect Horsetail as it collects toxins, especially in agricultural areas.

Recipes: Horsetail Tea: Ingredients: 2 to 3 teaspoons of horsetail, 1 cup spring water, raw honey (optional). Pour water over the herb bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, then allow it to infuse for another 15 minutes. For treating bone health problems, allow the tea to boil longer to extract more silica. Strain and sweeten to taste with raw honey.