{"id":5553,"date":"2024-05-15T09:20:07","date_gmt":"2024-05-15T06:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/?p=5553"},"modified":"2025-03-27T17:36:55","modified_gmt":"2025-03-27T14:36:55","slug":"horsetail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.webcozumleri.com\/en\/horsetail\/","title":{"rendered":"Horsetail"},"content":{"rendered":"

Horsetail is a popular fern that has been used as an herbal remedy since the times of the Greek and Roman Empires (1<\/a>,\u00a02<\/a>).<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s believed to have multiple medicinal properties and has traditionally been used to treat wounds; to enhance skin, hair, and bone health; and as a remedy for various other health conditions (<\/span>1<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>3<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>However, there is not enough human evidence to support many of the traditional uses for horsetail <\/span>This article explores horsetail, including its potential benefits, uses, and downsides.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Horsetail?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Field or common horsetail (<\/span>Equisetum arvense<\/span><\/i>) is a perennial fern that belongs to the genus\u00a0<\/span>Equisetaceae<\/span><\/i>\u00a0(<\/span>3<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>4<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

It grows wild in northern Europe and North and Central America, as well as in other moist places with temperate climates. It has a long, green, densely branched stem that grows from spring to fall (<\/span>1<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>4<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>The plant contains numerous beneficial compounds that give it multiple health-promoting effects. Of these, antioxidants and\u00a0<\/span>silica\u00a0<\/span>stand out (<\/span>1<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>4<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Antioxidants are molecules that protect your body from the effects of free radicals that can cause cell damage. Silica is a compound made up of silicon and oxygen and is believed to be responsible for horsetail\u2019s potential benefits for skin, nails, hair, and bones (<\/span>3<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>4<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>Horsetail is mostly consumed in the form of tea, which is made by steeping the dried herb in hot water. It\u2019s also available in capsule and tincture form.<\/span><\/p>\n

Horsetail\u2019s Potential Benefits<\/b><\/h2>\n

Horsetail has been used for thousands of years as an herbal remedy, and limited scientific evidence supports its potential benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supports Bone Health<\/b><\/h2>\n

Research suggests that horsetail m<\/span>ay\u00a0aid bone healing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through bone metabolism, bone cells called osteoclasts and osteoblasts continuously remodel your bones to avoid imbalances that could cause brittle bones. Osteoblasts handle bone synthesis, while osteoclasts break down bone through resorption. <\/span>Test-tube studies show that horsetail may inhibit osteoclasts and stimulate osteoblasts. This suggests that it\u2019s useful for bone diseases such as\u00a0<\/span>osteoporosis<\/span>, which is characterized by overly active osteoclasts that result in fragile bones (<\/span>1<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>5<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>One study in rats found that a daily dose of 55 mg of horsetail extract per pound (120 mg per kg) of body weight significantly improved bone density, compared with a control group (<\/span>6<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers believe that horsetail\u2019s bone-remodeling effect is mostly due to its high silica content. In fact, up to 25% of its dry weight is silica. No other plant boasts as high of a concentration of this mineral (<\/span>1<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>5<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Silica, which is also present in bones, improves the formation, density, and consistency of bone and cartilage tissue by enhancing collagen synthesis and improving the absorption and use of calcium (<\/span>6<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>7<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Acts as a Natural Diuretic<\/b><\/h2>\n

Diuretics\u00a0<\/span>are substances that increase your body\u2019s excretion of urine. Horsetail\u2019s diuretic effect is one of this fern\u2019s most sought-after properties in folk medicine (<\/span>8<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>9<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>One small study in 36 healthy men determined that a daily dose of 900 mg of dried horsetail extract in capsule form had a more potent diuretic effect than a classic diuretic drug. This was attributed to the plant\u2019s high antioxidant and mineral salt concentrations (<\/span>9<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>The plant also demonstrated potential as a therapy for urinary incontinence, urgency, and nocturia \u2014 when you wake up in the night to urinate (<\/span>10<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

A 2021 review of research found that horsetail may have potential as a therapy for kidney conditions, including urethritis and kidney stones (<\/span>8<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>However, while these results are promising, current human research is limited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Promotes Wound Healing and Nail Health<\/b><\/h2>\n

The topical application of horsetail ointment appears to promote wound healing. <\/span>One 10-day study in 108 postpartum women who had undergone an episiotomy during labor \u2014 a surgical cut to facilitate childbirth \u2014 showed that applying an ointment containing 3% horsetail extract promoted wound healing and helped relieve pain (<\/span>11<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>The study also found that wound redness, swelling, and discharge improved significantly compared with a control group. Scientists attributed these positive effects to the plant\u2019s silica content.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In older rat studies, those treated with ointments containing 5% and 10% horsetail extract showed a wound closure ratio of 95\u201399%, as well as greater skin regeneration, compared with control groups (<\/span>12<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>13<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>Additionally, horsetail extract may be used in nail polish for the management of\u00a0<\/span>nail psoriasis, <\/span>a skin condition that causes nail deformities. <\/span>One study found that using a nail lacquer made up of a mixture of horsetail extract and other nail-hardening agents decreased signs of nail psoriasis (<\/span>14<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>15<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>However, research on the direct effect of horsetail on wound healing and nail health is needed to verify these benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Promotes Hair Growth<\/b><\/h2>\n

Research suggests that horsetail may also benefit your hair, likely thanks to its silicon and antioxidant content.<\/span><\/p>\n

First, antioxidants help reduce micro-inflammation and the aging of hair fibers caused by free radicals. Second, a higher silicon content in hair fibers results in a lower rate of hair loss, as well as increased brightness (<\/span>16<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>17<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>18<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, in a 3-month study in women with self-perceived hair thinning, those who took two daily capsules containing dried horsetail and other ingredients had increased\u00a0<\/span>hair growth<\/span> and strength compared with a control group (<\/span>19<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

Other studies looking at the effects of different blends containing horsetail-derived silica found similar results (<\/span>20<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>21<\/span><\/a>).<\/span><\/p>\n

However, because most studies focus on a mixture of multiple hair growth compounds, research on the effects of horsetail alone is still limited.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other Potential Benefits<\/b><\/h2>\n

Horsetail is known for providing many other potential benefits, including:<\/span><\/p>\n