Horsetail - Eases periods, helps the kidney, bladder and urinary tract

Horsetail - Eases periods, helps the kidney, bladder and urinary tract

horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a therapeutic plant found in Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East. Horsetail is a legitimate living fossil that predates even the dinosaurs. Some of these prehistoric plants grew into 100-foot-tall, towering, tree-like giants. However, the today's horsetail is about one meter tall. Despite its smaller stature, the health benefits of horsetail are not small. ((link removed), source 2)

The Health Benefits of Horsetail

Horsetail has been used as a natural herbal remedy for thousands of years. The aerial parts of horsetail are used therapeutically due to the plant's many health-promoting properties. The ancient Greeks and Romans used it as an herbal remedy for wounds, ulcers and kidney diseases. New evidence even confirms some of its traditional uses, such as promoting fluid balance in your tissues. Horsetail has many other traditional uses that have yet to be verified through clinical research. (Source 1, (link removed), (link removed))
Some of these include:

• Förderung der Gesundheit von Nieren und Blase
• Förderung eines gesunden Körpergewichts
• Unterstützung für gesundes Haar und Nägel
• Schwere Perioden lockern
• Erhaltung der Gesundheit der Harnwege

Horsetail contains silicon, which supports skeletal health. Studies confirm that horsetail extract combined with calcium supports normal bone density. Silica has also been studied for its role in supporting healthy hair and nails. (Source 1, (Link removed) (Link removed), (Link removed))

Horsetail contains saponins and antioxidant flavonoids; It is also a rich source of potassium. A 2006 study found that horsetail essential oil can effectively support the body's natural response to harmful organisms. One study even reported that horsetail ointment relieved discomfort and accelerated healing after surgery. ((Link removed), (Link removed), (Link removed), (Link removed))

How to consume horsetail

Find fresh horsetail from your local grocer or farmers market, or grow it in your own garden. Horsetail sprouts taste similar to celery. Pick them when they are young, peel off the tough outer covering and eat them fresh. With the exception of young shoots, horsetail should not be consumed raw. Consuming large amounts of horsetail can cause vitamin B deficiency, and its high concentration of silica can erode tooth enamel. The easiest way to enjoy horsetail is to make horsetail tea. Soak just a teaspoon or two of dried horsetail in hot water for five minutes, strain and enjoy.

Tips for Growing Horsetail

If you can't find horsetail at your local grocer or farmers market, you can always try growing your own. Horsetail is a hardy plant and an eye-catching addition to any garden, but it can also be invasive. Plant it in pots or keep a close eye as the horsetail grows to about three feet tall and will take over your garden if you let it.

Horsetail does not sow. Instead, it grows from a rhizome – a root-like underground stem. You should be able to find young plants or rhizomes at your local nursery. Plant in full or partial sun in early spring. Horsetail comes from swampy areas and prefers moist soil, high heat and humidity. If you live in a colder climate, the above-ground part of the plant will turn brown in winter, but the underground rhizome will survive and grow new green shoots in spring.

One caveat - and it seems ironic - be careful with growing horsetail if you own horses. Long-term consumption of horsetail is toxic to livestock.

Supplement with horsetail

Because horsetail contains traces of nicotine, children and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not consume it. Horsetail also contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down the B vitamin thiamine. Before taking any supplement, you should discuss your needs and goals with your trusted health advisor. ((link removed))