What does horsetail look like
Horsetail of the horsetail family (lat. Equisetaceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant. The species is distributed in Europe (excluding Mediterranean countries), America and in northern and southern Africa. Horsetail grows well on acidic soils, in lowlands, especially on the outskirts of forests and along the banks of rivers and lakes.
Appearance of horsetail. It has a very distinctive appearance.
In early spring, it forms spore-bearing, unbranched, reddish stems up to 25 centimeters high. Then they die off, and instead of them green, hollow, ribbed stems appear, on which branches are located in whorls, directed upwards at an acute angle. Depending on the season, horsetail develops two types of shoots – green sterile shoots, reaching from 30 cm to 40 cm in height, and spore shoots, which are usually about 25 cm high.
Spore-bearing shoots appear in early spring, and then, after the release of spores, the plant develops sterile shoots. Its barren shoots are stellate in cross section, and the stems are arranged in whorls. Sterile shoots are divided into distinct internodes. Lateral branches are thinner and have only a few internodes. A blackish long root (up to 1 meter) goes deep into the ground.
In nature, there are many types of horsetail: field, meadow, marsh, forest, etc. Other types may contain more harmful alkaloids, such as palustrin or nicotine.
Field horsetail: composition
A significant part of the substances contained in horsetail herb extracts are mineral compounds, especially silicon compounds. The pharmacological effect of raw materials is also affected by organic acids: equicetolic, ascorbic and phenolic acids.
Horsetail contains a lot of silicon, which is necessary for building connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, skin, hair and bones, as well as teeth and nails. In addition, the extracts of the summer shoots of the plant contain not only silica, but also ingredients such as saponins and flavonoids. These substances have immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal action. Flavonoids were found in the composition of raw materials.
Horsetail field application
Pharmaceutical raw materials consist only of properly harvested sterile shoots. It should be collected from June to September.
It is famous for its beneficial properties and high silicon content. Horsetail is used to treat many diseases. It is also ideal for beauty care.
The spectrum of action of horsetail, like most drugs of natural origin, is very wide. It is also effective for:
- excessive sweating;
- psoriasis;
- ulcers of the stomach and duodenum;
- abdominal polyps;
- caries.
The positive effect of silicon on the kidneys, adrenal glands, heart, blood, skin, hair and nails has been proven. Horsetail, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of diseases such as arthritis and rheumatism.
In medicine, the diuretic properties of the herb are now mainly used. Preparations containing horsetail herb should not be used in the presence of edema associated with impaired functioning of the heart muscle or kidneys.
Horsetail extracts can be used as an adjunct in patients suffering from urinary tract disorders such as gout and kidney stones. Horsetail can also be used as an aid in rheumatoid arthritis.
Phenolic acids and flavonoids found in horsetail herb extracts determine the diuretic and antispasmodic effect of the raw material. Horsetail herb increases the amount of urine produced without affecting the electrolyte balance of the body.
The flavonoids found in horsetail increase urine output, making excess urate excreted from the body more efficiently. However, the diuretic effect of this plant is not strong, so valuable vitamins and macro- and microelements are not washed out of the body.
Medicines containing horsetail extract are successfully used as an aid in wound healing after surgery and as an antihemorrhagic agent.
What else helps horsetail? First of all, horsetail tea is recommended for people who have the problem of excessive sweating. The mild diuretic effect of horsetail herb reduces sweating. Horsetail extracts can be found in preparations for excessive skin sweating. Thanks to him, excess sweat will be excreted in the urine, and not through the surface of the skin.
Horsetail helps maintain the proper elasticity of the mucous membranes, as well as connective and bone tissue, thereby helping to keep the body in perfect shape.
Note! The high silicon content makes horsetail extract an excellent natural supplement to supplement your daily diet with silicon. It should be used both to prevent and support the treatment of osteoporosis.
Horsetail – like no other herb, an ally in women’s ailments. It not only helps to take care of the healthy and beautiful appearance of hair, nails and skin, but also helps with urinary tract diseases, which are mainly affected by women.
Used for cystitis, urolithiasis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. It has antispasmodic properties, thereby minimizing the unpleasant pain associated with these diseases. Horsetail decoctions can be used as a remedy to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding.
Additional Information! Taken internally, there are many health benefits, but this plant also shows very good results when used externally.
Horsetail can be used as a freshly prepared infusion. During therapy, its appropriate duration is important – about four weeks. To prepare the infusion, about 4 g of chopped horsetail herb is poured with hot water for 15 minutes.
Saponins and flavonoids with anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties contained in horsetail are one of the components of the immune system strengthening preparations. Some research also suggests the calming potential of herb infusions.
Side effects of horsetail
Always check with your doctor to make sure the particular plant extract won’t harm your health or interact with any medications you’re taking.
Pregnant and lactating women should consult their doctor. They may not want too much horsetail.
When using horsetail herb preparations, there is a risk of developing allergic reactions of moderate severity, including mainly skin rashes.
Taking too much horsetail extract can cause digestive upset.
Chronic intake of horsetail herb extracts can cause vitamin B1 deficiency, manifested by fatigue, memory impairment, muscle weakness, as well as numbness and tingling in the muscles.
In people taking vitamin B 1, a weakening of the therapeutic effect may be observed while taking horsetail herb preparations due to the content of anti-vitamin B 1 in extracts from this plant.
With the simultaneous use of drugs containing horsetail herb and diuretics, there is a risk of a decrease in plasma potassium.
Horsetail in beauty care
In addition to its health benefits, horsetail also has a reputation for being a good beauty product. The best results are achieved with a combination of action from the outside and from the inside.
Due to the high content of silicon, horsetail has a positive effect on the appearance:
- increases the elasticity of the epidermis;
- prevents fragility and delamination of hair and nails;
- accelerates their natural growth.
The mineral compounds contained in the raw materials have well-digestible silicon compounds.
Pay attention ! Cosmetics containing horsetail improve the condition of hair and nails. Fights oily hair, dandruff, strengthens, prevents split ends, prevents hair loss.
Horsetail hair rinses are the most popular. They can be used after every wash to keep your hair beautiful and healthy.
Horsetail infusion can also be rubbed into the scalp to stimulate the bulbs and promote hair growth. Horsetail herb rinses improve the overall appearance and condition of the hair,
Another use of horsetail in cosmetics is to improve the functioning and appearance of couperose skin. Horsetail can also promote skin regeneration after mechanical damage and even burns or inflammation. Horsetail compresses are enough to help the skin recover.
Horsetail also soothes serious skin conditions such as psoriasis. Horsetail tea can be drunk with couperosis of the skin, as the contained flavonoids strengthen the capillaries. They stop cracking and spreading under the skin in the form of spider veins.
Very often, horsetail is included in the composition of nutritional supplements, which should help with skin problems, hair loss or brittle nails. In such supplements, it is combined with vitamins and minerals, which should comprehensively take care of beauty.
Horsetail is present in cosmetics, but the plant extracts added to them do not contain all the properties of horsetail. You can make your own horsetail infusion and use home remedies.
Horsetail is one of the most underrated medicinal plants. Ordinariness overshadowed the unique healing properties of this plant. Meanwhile, the most valuable things in nature are found in large quantities so that everyone can take advantage of its unique gifts.
