what is horsetail(Equisetum arvense (L)) and it's super function?

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[Scientific Name]:Equisetum arvense (L) [Order]: Equisetaceae [Latin Name]: E
quisetum Arvense

[Botanical Source]:Equisetum arvense (L)

[Botanical Synonyms and Common names]:Shave-grass. Bottle-brush. Paddock-pipe
s. Dutch Rushes. Pewterwort. Shavegrass, pewterwort, bottlebrush, horsetail rush,
paddock-pipes, Dutch rushes, mare's tail

[Description]:Equisetum is a European herb which grows in moist waste places
throughout temperate regions of the world and is cultivated in Yugoslavia. It is
a member of a very primitive family of plants. In spring a spore-bearing stem, re
sembling a thin asparagus shoot, rises 15-20cm; once shed, this is replaced by a
pale green bush with erect hollow jointed stems with longitudinal furrows, and wi
th sharply-toothed sheaths covering each joint; from the sheaths of the central s
tem arise whorls of fine branches, each giving off finer whorls, the whole someti
mes extending up to 60cm in height, but usually less.

This perennial plant is common to moist loamy or sandy soil all over North Am
erica and Eurasia. Horsetail is a strange-looking sort of plant with creeping, st
ringlike rootstock and roots at the nodes that produce numerous hollow stems, whi
ch are of two types. A fertile, flesh-colored stem grows first, reaching a height
of 4-7 inches and bearing on top a conelike spike which contains spores; this st
em quickly dies. A green, sterile stem grows up to 18 inches high and features wh
orls of small branches. In the dinosaur era, horsetails reached incredible height
s of up to 40 feet or more and resembled skinny lodgepole pines, but lacking the
green boughs. During the Middle Ages clumps of the plant were often used as scour
ing pads to clean iron cookware and pewter dishes due to a high silicon content.

No other herb in the entire plant kingdom is so rich in silicon as is horseta
il. This trace element really helps to bind protein molecules together in the blo
od vessels and connective tissues. Silicon is the material of which collagen is m
ade. Collagen is the 'body glue' that holds our skin and muscle tissues together.
Silicon also promotes the growth and stability of the skeletal structure. A few
European clinical studies have determined that fractured bones heal much more qui
ckly when horsetail is taken. The incidence of osteoporosis is, likewise, more gr
eatly reduced when some horsetail is added to the diet. A few folk healers have r
ecommended this herb to athletes who've suffered sprains, dislocated joints, pull
ed hamstrings or torn ligaments. Generally three tablets or capsules daily has be
en the rule-of- thumb until total healing has resulted of the injuries sustained.

Horsetail is that kind of rare and unique cosmetic agent which beautifies fro
m the inside out rather than just externally. Horsetail improves the texture and
tone of hair, nails and skin, and greatly strengthens bones and teeth. Some even
ascribe to this herb a certain hidden 'youth factor.' A special type of horsetail
, grown, harvested and processed in Europe, has become the favorite of many Ameri
can consumers. This formula is marketed in local health food stores under the nam
e of Alta Sil-X Silica and was developed by a Pasadena, California naturopathic/h
omeopathic physician, Dr. Richard Barmakian. His formula contains an extract more
easily assimilated by the body without some of the harsh complications attending
other horsetail products and found in the whole herb itself. An average of 2 tab
lets each day has been prescribed by him to a number of his patients for revitali
zing externally and rejuvenating internally.

[Part Used]:the sterile stems (those appearing in summer; not the brownish fe
rtile stems that appear in early spring bearing terminal cones).

[Medicinal Action and Uses]---enuresis, prostatic disease, cystitis with haem
aturia, urethritis.

Medicinal Action and Uses---Diuretic and astringent. Horsetail has been found
beneficial in dropsy, gravel and kidney affections generally, and a drachm of th
e dried herb, powdered, taken three or four times a day, has proved very effectua
l in spitting of blood.

The ashes of the plant are considered very valuable in acidity of the stomach
, dyspepsia, etc., administered in doses of 3 to 10 grains.

Besides being useful in kidney and bladder trouble, a strong decoction acts a
s an emmenagogue; being cooling and astringent, it is of efficacy for haemorrhage
, cystic ulceration and ulcers in the urinary passages.

The decoction applied externally will stop the bleeding of wounds and quickly
heal them, and will also reduce the swelling of eyelids.

[Collection]: mid- to late summer

[HABITAT AND CULTIVATION]: Native to Europe, North Africa, northern Asia, and
the Americas, horsetail is a common plant, preferring damp soil. The sterile ste
ms are harvested in summer and carefully dried, all discolored parts being discar
ded.

[Constituents]: minerals (silicic acids and silicates - 5-8%; potassium, alum
inium, sulphur, manganese and magnesium), flavonoids (principally quercetin glyco
sides), phenolic acids, alkaloids (usually absent except for traces of nicotine,
palustrine and palustrinine), saponin (equisetonin), bitter principle, phytostero
ls (cholesterol, isofucosterol, campesterol and others), tannins

[Actions]: weak diuretic, genito-urinary astringent, antihaemorrhagic, haemos
tatic, prophylactic causing a mild leucocytosis, restorative to damaged pulmonary
tissue, possible detoxifier; Locally styptic and vulnerary

[Part Used Medicinally]:Aerial parts.The barren stems only are used medicinal
ly, appearing after the fruiting stems have died down, and are used in their enti
rety, cut off just above the root. The herb is used either fresh or dried, but is
said to be most efficacious when fresh. A fluid extract is prepared from it. The
ashes of the plant are also employed.

[Indications]: enuresis, prostatic disease, cystitis with haematuria, urethri
tis

[Therapeutics and Pharmacology]: Equisetum is an excellent genito-urinary sys
tem astringent. It may be applied to such conditions as urethritis or cystitis wi
th haematuria, reducing haemorrhage and healing wounds thanks to the high silica
content. Whilst it acts as a mild diuretic, its toning and astringent action make
it of value in the treatment of incontinence and bed-wetting in children. As a d
iuretic it is particularly suited to metabolic or hormonal oedema during the meno
pause. The diuretic action is thought to be due partly to the flavonoids and sapo
nins. It is generally accepted that water diuresis takes place without increase i
n the excretion of electrolytes. Sitz baths with equisetum extract are indicated
for functional pelvic disease in women where there is no inflammation, but primar
ily muscular tensions and changes in muscle tone in the small pelvis that are aut
onomous in origin. It is considered a specific remedy in cases of inflammation or
benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Equisetum is restorative to damaged pu
lmonary tissue after pulmonary tuberculosis and other lung disease, as the silici
c acid is said to stabilise the scar tissue.

Enthusiasts call horsetail a valuable diuretic and astringent for treating va
rious kidney and bladder ailments, ranging from kidney stones to cystic ulceratio
n, and also recommend it as a rapid-acting remedy for dropsy. Horsetail is also c
alled effective in treating tuberculosis, especially when accompanied by the 'spi
tting of blood.' External application is supposed to stop the bleeding of wounds
and promote rapid healing. In addition to the silica compounds, horsetail contain
s about 5 percent of a saponin, designated equisetonin, and several flavone glyco
sides including isoquercitrin, galuteolin, and equisetrin. A very small amount of
nicotine (0.00004 percent) is also present. The flavone glycosides and the sapon
in probably combine to account for the diuretic action of horsetail, which has be
en demonstrated experimentally but which is very slight. There is no valid experi
mental evidence to support the hypothesis that the silica and silicic acid deriva
tives in the drug promote the healing of bleeding tubercular lesions in the lung.

A caveat regarding safety is that several species of Equisetum have been impl
icated in livestock poisoning, particularly of horses. Known as equisetosis, a th
iaminase (thiamine-destroying) activity has been confirmed in horses. Treatment i
nvolves massive doses of thiamine and, of course, removing the horsetail-containi
ng hay from the diet. Health and Welfare Canada has required manufacturers to pro
ve that E. arvense is free from thiaminase-like activity. A European species, Equ
isetum palustre L., is known to contain a toxic alkaloid, palustrine. The German
Pharmacopoeia suggests that commercial supplies of E. arvense be examined for adu
lteration with other Equisetum species, notably, E. palustre. Even vigorous plead
ing does not produce much scientific support for the healing virtues of horsetail
. Horsetail is a weak diuretic and little else.

Horsetail is a descendant of prehistoric plants which grew as high as trees,
and is a rich source of silica and other minerals, making it a valuable remedy fo
r healing and a nutritious tonic. It has an affinity for the urinary system where
it acts as a mild diuretic, soothing and healing irritation and infection of the
urinary tract. Its tolling and astringent properties make it a very useful herb
for frequency of urination, incontinence and bed-wetting in children. Horsetail i
s frequently used to treat inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate gla
nd. Horsetail acts as a tonic to the kidneys and urinary system. Horsetail also a
cts on the reproductive system, reducing hemorrhage and heavy bleeding, which it
also does in the digestive tract, healing inflammation and ulcers, and in the res
piratory tract where it was a traditional remedy for TB and coughing of blood. Ho
rsetail can be used for brittle nails and lustreless hair, for debility and anemi
a. The silica helps absorption of calcium so it may help guard against osteoporos
is and cramp, and has been shown to help prevent atherosclerosis. A lotion of hor
setail can be used for irritated skin conditions such as eczema, to heal cuts and
wounds, sores and ulcers, and to apply to chilblains. A mouthwash and gargle can
be used for mouth ulcers, bleeding gums and sore throats.

The juice of the plant is good for anaemia resulting from internal bleeding s
uch as stomach ulcers, since it promotes the coagulation of blood. Externally it
is a vulnerary and may also be applied as a compress to fractures and sprains. Th
e effect of strengthening and regenerating connective tissues has been ascribed t
o the silicic acid content. The local astringent and antihaemorrhagic effect expl
ains the application of horsetail to such conditions as bleeding from the mouth,
nose and vagina, its use to check diarrhoea, dysentery and bleeding from the bowe
l, and for slow-healing wounds, chilblains and conjunctivitis. The fresh, crushed
stems may be used to alleviate nosebleeds. The juice increases blood clotting, i
n spite of it containing haemolytic saponins.The tea makes a good wash for wounds
, sores, skin problems and a gargle for mouth and gum inflammations.

In some cases Equisetum has been found to ease the pain of rheumatism and sti
mulate the healing of chilblains. Horsetail tea is good for splitting nails and l
ifeless hair. It is also useful when white spotting occurs on the nails (a sympto
m said to indicate calcium imbalance in the body).

It has been established that administration of silicic acid causes leucocytos
is (a temporary increase in white blood cells). Equisetum's silica content encour
ages the absorption and use of calcium by the body and also helps to guard agains
t fatty deposits in the arteries. Its influence on lipid metabolism leads to pote
ntial benefit for cardiovascular problems.

[COMMENTS]:This ancient, primitive, herb has been around since the dinosaurs.
Brown fertile stems ending in upright cones, containing spores, and sterile gree
n stems.

[Uses]: The heads are eaten boiled or pickled. The hemeostatic, astringent st
ems staunch bleeding and are given for genitourinary disorders and bedwetting. Ho
rsetail's minerals and salts enrich the blood and strengthen hair and nails. The
silica content promotes the re-growth, strength, and elasticity of connective tis
sues and treats arthritis, ulcers, and eczema. Many North American tribes used ho
rsetail to treat bladder and kidney ailments. Horsetail produces a yellow dye. Ho
rsetail was once used to scrub and clean pots. When making tea this herb needs se
veral strainings through fine cheesecloth to get all the fine hairs out. If not s
trained well it will act like a pot scrubber on your stomach.

As its traditional usage indicates, horsetail is an excellent clotting agent.
Horsetail staunches wounds, stops nosebleeds, and reduces the coughing up of blo
od. In addition, horsetail has an astringent effect on the genitourinary system,
proving especially valuable where there is bleeding within the urinary tract, and
in cases of cystitis, urethritis, and prostate disease. Horsetail speeds the rep
air of damaged connective tissue, improving its strength and elasticity. Horsetai
l is also prescribed to treat rheumatic and arthritic problems, for chest ailment
s such as emphysema, for chronic swelling of the legs, and for various other cond
itions. A decoction of the herb added to a bath benefits slow-healing sprains and
fractures, as well as certain skin conditions such as eczema.

[Additional Comments]: The Ancient Greeks used horsetail in the treatment of
wounds and the Romans used it as a vegetable, an animal feed and a medicine. Culp
eper said it was 'very powerful to stop bleeding, either inward or outward, and e
ases the swelling, heat, and inflammation of the fundamental, or privy parts, in
men and women.' The Chinese use E.hiemale, or mu zei, to cool fevers and as a rem
edy for eye inflammations such as conjunctivitis and corneal disorders, dysentery
, flu, swellings and haemorrhoids. Recent research in Russia has apparently demon
strated that horsetail is effective in removing lead accumulations in the body. T
he dried stems may be used as a metal polish, hence the common name pewterwort.

[Applications]:AERIAL PARTS

DECOCTION - Use for heavy menstruation, and skin conditions such as acne and
eczema: simmer for at least three hours to extract the main constituents. Prescri
bed for stomach ulcers, urinary tract inflammations, and prostate and lung disord
ers.

POULTICE - Make the powder into a paste and use on leg ulcers, wounds, sores,
and chilblains.

MOUTHWASH/GARGLE - Dilute the decoction and use for mouth and gum infections
or throat inflammations.

JUICE - The liquidized stems are the best form of horsetail: take 5 -10 ml, t
hree times a day, for urinary disorders. For nosebleeds, dip a cotton wool swab i
n a little juice and insert in the nostril. Also prescribed for long-standing lun
g damage.

CAPSULES - Taking powdered horsetail in capsule form can be more convenient t
han juices or decoctions; use for the same ailments (excepting nosebleeds).

HORSETAIL POWDER:

Heat the previously dried horsetail in a cast-iron frying pan at fairly high
heat. Stir vigorously with a thick, wooden spoon (boxwood, olive) until a fine po
wder is obtained. Preserve in a glass jar.

This powder is very useful for stopping bleeding and skin suppurations. Dilut
ed in a little water and taken internally, it soothes heartburn and even digestiv
e hemorrhaging. Combined with flower pollen, it combats tumors.

functions and usages of horsetail:

***as functional cosmetic and hair remedy:

Horsetail (herb): is considered to be the best possible tonic to cure acne an
d eczema, known to provide excellent healing effect for most skin conditions. Als
o is known to have healing and calming properties and strengthens the hair whilst
giving a healthier glow to the skin.

Sensation:

Gentle care for your dry skin. Feels tight and dehydrated over the entire fa
ce, with no oily sheen, a lackluster appearance and a tendency towards flaking an
d fine lines.

Basic Function:

Mature skin or skin that shows signs of premature aging may fall into this ca
tegory.
Removes soap residue and cellular debris without drying out the complexion. To
nes and soothes with more than two dozen herbals.
Prepares skin for better absorption of a moisturizer. Refreshes and smooths th
e complexion with witch cucumber and other cooling herbals.

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