Horsetail

Equisetum arvense

Monograph

1. Plant Family:
• Equisetaceae, or horsetail family ^[1]
2. Habitat & Cultivation:
• Equisetum is a "living fossil" as it is the only living genus of the entire class Equisetopsida, which for over one hundred million years was much more diverse and dominated the understory of late Paleozoic forests. Some Equisetopsida were large trees reaching to 30 meters tall. A perennial plant, it reproduces with spores rather than seeds. While concentrated in the non-tropical northern hemisphere, this plant is most common in northern North America and prefers wet, sandy soils. ^[1]
3. Parts Used:
• Dried stem ^[2]
4. Herbal Actions:
• Astringent
• Diuretic
• Vulnerary
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-rheumatic
• Connective tissue tonic ^[1]
5. Indications:
• Excellent astringent for genitourinary system and reducing hemorrhage. Ideal for incontinence due to its toning and astringent actions, although is a mild diuretic. Good for inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate. Externally, is a good vulnerary for healing wounds, and case ease the pain of rheumatism. ^[1,2]
6. Plant Constituents:
• Alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols, silicic acid, saponins, dimethylsulphone, thiaminase, aconitic acid ^[2]
7. System Affinities:
• Genitourinary, immune, integumentary ^[2]  
8. Energetics:
• Bitter, sweet, cooling ^[3]
9. Safety:
• No side effects reported. ^[2]
10. Interactions:
• None known. ^[2]

Personal Experience

1. Organoleptics:
• This plant is so fun-looking, and I remember it well from my childhood in the Pacific northwest. I looked for some here in Boise, but couldn’t find any. I think it might be too dry where I live in the foothills, although I suspect it is growing up in the forests farther north. It is green, brown, and spiky, and has a sweet smell although I can tell it has a bitter undertone to it.
2. Preparation Method:
• Tincture: 2-4 mL 3x/day (1:5 in 25%)
• Hot Infusion: 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons dried plant and infuse 10-15 mins, drink 3x/day.
3. Usage Notes:
•  I made a hot infusion and put it in the fridge to mix with my water over a few days' time. The tea ended up being a light yellow color with a very mild and pleasant herbal taste - nothing standing out in the way of flavor. I felt the diuretic effects of this tea pretty quickly, within several hours. I can see how this tea would be helpful in the postpartum period, but I wonder if it will have the same effect for women who are having dysuria due to swelling or damage to the urethra after birth.

Sources:

1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2018). Week 7 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-18_MW5122-A Botanicals 2: Postpartum.
2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.