Equisetum arvense

Common name: Horsetail[i]

Botanical name: Equisetum arvense[i]

Plant family: Equisetaceae[ii]

Parts used: Dried stem[iii]

Origin: Temperate northern regions, United Kingdom[iii]

Qualities: Cooling[iv]

History: Horsetail was treasured for giving magical strength to weapons and armour in the days when alchemists and blacksmiths were closely allied.[v]

Active constituents:
– Alkaloids (nicotine, palustrine, palustrinine)

– Flavonoids (isoquercitrin, equicetrin)

– Sterols (Cholesterol, isofucosterol, campesterol)

– Silicic acid

– Saponins, dimethylsuphone, thiaminase, aconitic acid[vi]

Actions:
– Astringent

– Diuretic

– Vulnerary

– Styptic

– Tonic

– Refrigerant[v][vi][vii]

Indications:

– Lower urinary tract diseases

– Incontinence, bed wetting

– Posttraumatic/static edema, renal gravel

– Nocturnal enuresis, renal colic, enlarged prostate, prostatitis

– Hematuria, hemorrhage, hematemesis

– Rheumatism, chillblains

– Topically – poor wound healing^{[v][vi][vii][viii]}

Preparation: Tincture, infusion, extract, bath[ix]
Dose:

Dose per day

2-6ml of 1:2 liquid extract

Dose per week

15-40ml of 1:2 liquid extract[x]

Cautions: None known[xi]

Contraindications: None known[xii]

[i] Culpeper, N. (1985). Culpeper’s Complete Herbal. Hertfordshire: Omega Books.

[ii] Mills, S. (1998). The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism – A Comprehensive Guide to Practical Herbal Therapy. Rochestor, Vermont: Healing Arts Press.

[iii] Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. London: Harcourt, Brace & Co.

[iv] Holmes, P. (1997). The Energetics of Western Herbs: Treatment Strategies Integrating Western & Oriental Herbal Medicine. USA: Snow Lotus Pr.

[v] Original Magical Botanical. (1969). Original Magical Botanical. Retrieved from http://www.starchild.co.uk/products/6564_3633_yellow-dock-root.aspx

[vi] Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism – The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochestor, Vermont: Healing Arts Press.

[vii] Bone, K. (2003). A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs. St Louis, Missouri: Churchill Livingstone.

[viii] Hechtman, L. (2012). Clinical Naturopathic Medicine. UK: Elsevier Health Sciences.

[ix] Vogel, A. (1991). The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. London: Keats Publishing.

[x] Blumenthal, M., & et al. (1998). The Complete German Commission E monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin: American Botanical Council.

[xi] Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2010). Herbs & Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide (3rd ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier.

[xii] Lust, J. (1974). The Herb Book. USA: Benedict Lust Publications.

[xiii] Stueber, K. (2014). Bio Library. Retrieved from http://www.biolib.de/