Summary
Diuretic and remineralizing medicinal plant, indicated to treat disorders in the urinary tract (cystitis) and joint problems, can be found in the form of infusion or capsules.
names
Portuguese name: Horsetail, horsetail
Binomial name: Equisetum arvense L.
French name: prêle , prèle, prêle des champs
English name: horsetail, bottle-brush
German name: Ackerschachtelhalm , Zinnkraut
Italian name: equiseto comune
Family
Equisetaceae
Constituents
Silicic acid, flavonoids, saponins, minerals
parts used
Sheets
horsetail effects
Diuretic, remineralizing, hypotensive
Indications
In case of disturbances in the urinary tract: cystitis (in infusion), in case of pain or joint problems (rheumatism: arthritis, arthrosis, gout ) due to its high silicon content (in capsule), acne (according to an Internet user – after a treatment for a certain period. We have no way of confirming this information scientifically). In cases of swelling (for example, in hypothyroidism ), hypertension (see under Observations).
Secundary effects
we do not know
contraindications
we do not know
Interactions
we do not know
Attention, the pollens of this plant can cause allergies, in particular hay fever (allergic rhinitis).
Horsetail-based preparations
– Horsetail infusion (horsetail tea)
– Horsetail decoction
– sitz baths
– Foot scald (eg against excessive sweating)
Where does horsetail grow?
Horsetail can be found throughout Europe, in fields or forests, mainly in humid places (close to running water). The horsetail can reach 50 cm in height.
When to harvest horsetail?
Horsetail normally grows from May to June (July to August in the mountains) in Europe, including Switzerland. The green stems of the horsetail can be harvested from May to June (in Europe) and then must undergo a drying process, as observed by the Swiss druggist Claude Roggen in his book “Les secrets du druide”, published by Bois Carré. He advises harvesting from untreated and dry fields, he also recommends avoiding harvesting from wetlands due to contamination by a fungus ( Ustilago equiseti ).
Comments
– Like the fern, the horsetail does not have flowers and reproduces through spores.
– Its scientific name Equisetum arvense comes from Latin and means respectively: horse ( Equus ), tail ( setum ) and fields ( arvense ).
– A Brazilian study carried out mainly by researchers from the Federal University of Goiás, in Brazil, showed that horsetail (E. arvense) produced a diuretic effect comparable to hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg), a molecule used against hypertension. The effect of horsetail was superior to that of a placebo. This study was published in 2014 in the scientific journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine .
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