Equisetum arvensis, Horsetail

Common names

Shavegrass, pewterwort, bottlebrush, horsetail rush, paddock-pipes, Dutch rushes, mare's tail

Medicinal uses

Weak diuretic, genito-urinary astringent, antihaemorrhagic, haemostatic, prophylactic causing a mild leucocytosis, restorative to damaged pulmonary tissue, possible detoxifier; Locally styptic and vulnerary

Benefits

Enuresis, prostatic disease, cystitis with haematuria, urethritis (please see Glossary)

Equisetum is an excellent genito-urinary system astringent. It may be applied to such conditions as urethritis or cystitis with 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 diuretic it is particularly suited to metabolic or hormonal oedema during the menopause. The diuretic action is thought to be due partly to the flavonoids and saponins. It is generally accepted that water diuresis takes place without increase in the excretion of electrolytes. Sitz baths with equisetum extract are indicated for functional pelvic disease in women where there is no inflammation, but primarily muscular tensions and changes in muscle tone in the small pelvis that are autonomous in origin. It is considered a specific remedy in cases of inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Equisetum is restorative to damaged pulmonary tissue after pulmonary tuberculosis and other lung disease, as the silicic acid is said to stabilise the scar tissue. 

The juice of the plant is good for anaemia resulting from internal bleeding such 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. The effect of strengthening and regenerating connective tissues has been ascribed to the silicic acid content. The local astringent and antihaemorrhagic effect explains 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 bowel, and for slow-healing wounds, chilblains and conjunctivitis. The fresh, crushed stems may be used to alleviate nosebleeds. The juice increases blood clotting, in 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 stimulate the healing of chilblains. Horsetail tea is good for splitting nails and lifeless hair. It is also useful when white spotting occurs on the nails (a symptom said to indicate calcium imbalance in the body).

It has been established that administration of silicic acid causes leucocytosis (a temporary increase in white blood cells). Equisetum's silica content encourages the absorption and use of calcium by the body and also helps to guard against fatty deposits in the arteries. Its influence on lipid metabolism leads to potential benefit for cardiovascular problems.

Warnings

Correct identification of this plant is important since other species of Equisetum contain toxic alkaloids, and excessive doses of E. arvense can themselves lead to symptoms of poisoning. It should not be used where there is cardiac or renal dysfunction (a warning sign is albuminuria). 

References

Bartram, T. 1995 Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, 1st edn.,Grace Publishers, Bournemouth.

Bremness, L. 1994 Herbs, Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Handbook, London.

BHMA 1983 British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, BHMA, Bournemouth.

Chevallier, A. 1996 The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, Dorling Kindersley, London.

Grieve, M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London.

Hoffmann, D. 1990 The New Holistic Herbal, Second Edition, Element, Shaftesbury.

Hyperhealth 1996 Natural Health and Nutrition Databank, v.96.1 CD-ROM, ©In-Tele-Health, available from Healthworks, Leeds. ISBN 0-646-30942-0

Lust, J. 1990 The Herb Book, Bantam, London.

Mabey, R. (ed.) 1991 The Complete New Herbal, Penguin, London.

Mills, S.Y. 1993 The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine, Penguin, London (First published in 1991 as Out of the Earth, Arkana)

Mills, S.Y. 1993 The A-Z of Modern Herbalism, Diamond Books, London.

Ody, P. 1993 The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal, Dorling Kindersley, London.

Polunin, M. and Robbins, C. 1992 The Natural Pharmacy, Dorling Kindersley, London.

Vickery, R. 1995 A Dictionary of Plant Lore, Oxford University Press.

Weiss, R.F. 1991 Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield Arcanum, Beaconsfield.

Wren, R.C. 1988 Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, C.W.Daniel, Saffron Walden.

Special thanks to www.purplesage.org.uk