Horsetail
is used for diuresis, edema, kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections,
incontinence and general disturbances of the kidney and bladder. It is also
used for hair loss; tuberculosis;jaundice; hepatitis; brittle fingernails; rheumatic
diseases; gout; osteoarthritis; osteoporosis; frostbite; weight loss; menorrhagia;
and nasal, pulmonary, and gastric hemorrhage.
Topically,
horsetail is used for treatment of wounds and burns.
Safety:
POSSIBLY
UNSAFE ...when used orally long-term. Horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme
that can cause thiamine deficiency. In Canada, horsetail products are required
to be thiaminase-free, but there is not enough reliable information to know if
thiaminase-free products are safe (3).
PREGNANCY
AND LACTATION: Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.
Scientific evidence:
Not
enough scientific research has been done on Horsetail to comment on effectiveness.
Mechanism of Action:
The
applicable parts of horsetail are above ground parts. Horsetail constituents include
flavonoids such as apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol and quercetin compounds;
petrosins such as onitin; caffeic acid derivatives; sterols; tannins; and
saponins (6, 7,
9).
Horsetail also contains significant amounts of silicon (4). Horsetail also contains trace
amounts of nicotine (4). Preliminary research suggests aqueous
and hydroalcoholic extracts of horsetail have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
effects (8,
10,11).
Horsetail
extracts might also have vasorelaxant and analgesic effects (7, 11).
Other
research suggests horsetail extracts might have sedative and anticonvulsant
effects (8).
Flavonoid
and petrosin constituents might have hepatoprotective properties (6). Other preliminary research
suggests that horsetail might have antiviral effects (12).
Crude
horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B1).
Thiaminase-containing plants have been associated with neurological toxicity in
animals due to thiamine deficiency (12, 14, 15).
Other
related horsetail (Equisetum) species have diuretic and hypoglycemic properties
(16, 17,
18). Whether
horsetail has these effects is unclear.
Side effects:
Crude
horsetail may lead to thiamine deficiency with prolonged consumption. Canadian
products are required to be certified as free from thiaminase-like effect (3). Horsetail has also been
associated with cross allergenicity with carrots (19).
Horsetail
contains tiny amounts of nicotine and may cause nicotine allergy or theoretically,
nicotine toxicity if taken in large quantities (5).
Topically,
horsetail can cause seborrheic dermatitis (5).
Interactions with Herbs & Supplements:
Betel
nuts: Consuming horsetail with betel nuts might increase the risk of thiamine
deficiency. Areca (betel) nuts reduce thiamine activity, probably by chemical
inactivation (2). Horsetail contains thiaminase, which
breaks down thiamine (13, 14,
15).
CHROMIUM-CONTAINING
HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS: Horsetail contains
chromium
(0.0006%) and could increase the risk of chromium toxicity when taken
with
chromium supplements or chromium-containing herbs such as bilberry, brewer's
yeast, or cascara (1).
THIAMINE:
Crude horsetail contains thiaminase, which breaks down thiamine. Chronic
ingestion in animals has been associated with thiamine deficiency (13, 14, 15).
Possible Interactions with Drugs:
LITHIUM
In
keeping with all herbs and medications that have a diuretic action the blood levels
of Lithium may be sensitive to the diuretic effect.
Horsetail
is thought to have diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to these potential
diuretic effects, horsetail might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium.
The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.
Interactions with Foods:
None
known.
Interactions with Lab Tests:
None
known.
Interactions with Diseases or Conditions:
Diabetes:
Other
horsetail species have hypoglycemic activity (18). It is unclear whether horsetail has hypoglycemic
effects. Until more is known, bear this in mind when using in the context of
diabetes. Monitor blood sugar levels to assess any effects.
Low blood
potassium:
Other
horsetail species have diuretic activity and can increase the excretion of
potassium (16, 17). Until more is known, use with caution
in patients who are at risk for potassium deficiency.
Thiamine
deficiency:
Theoretically,
horsetail can cause or exacerbate thiamine deficiency (13, 14, 15). No cases have been reported in humans.
For every three continuous use take a break for three weeks.
Dosage/Administration:
No
typical dosage.
Specific References: HORSETAIL
1. Lanca
S, Alves A, Vieira AI, et al. Chromium-induced toxic hepatitis. Eur J Intern
Med 2002;13:518-20.
2.
Vimokesant S, Kunjara S, Rungruangsak K, et al. Beriberi caused by antithiamin factors
in food and its prevention. Ann N YAcad Sci 1982;378:123-36.
3. Health
Canada. Labelling Standard: Mineral Supplements. Available at:
4. Piekos
R, Paslawska S. Studies on the optimum conditions of extraction of silicon species
from plants with water. I. Equisetum arvense L. Herb. Planta Med 1975;27:145-50.
5. Sudan
BJ. Seborrhoeic dermatitis induced by nicotine of horsetails (Equisetum arvense
L.). Contact Dermatitis 1985;13:201-2.
6. Oh H,
Kim DH, Cho JH, Kim YC. Hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging activities
of phenolic petrosins and flavonoids isolated from Equisetum arvense. J
Ethnopharmacol 2004;95:421-4.
7.
Sakurai N, Iizuka T, Nakayama S, et al. [Vasorelaxant activity of caffeic acid
derivatives from Cichorium intybus and Equisetum arvense]. Yakugaku Zasshi
2003;123:593-8.
8. Dos
Santos JG Jr, Blanco MM, Do Monte FH, et al. Sedative and
anticonvulsant
effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Equisetum arvense.
Fitoterapia
2005;76:508-13.
9.
Langhammer L, Blaszkiewitz K, Kotzorek I. Evidence of toxic adulteration
of
equisetum. Dtsch Apoth Ztg 1972;112:1751-94.
10. Correia
H, Gonzalez-Paramas A, Amaral MT, et al. Characterisation of
polyphenols
by HPLC-PAD-ESI/MS and antioxidant activity in Equisetum
telmateia.
Phytochem Anal 2005;16:380-7.
11. Do
Monte FH, dos Santos JG Jr, Russi M, et al. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory
properties of the hydroalcoholic extract of stems from Equisetum arvense L. in
mice. Pharmacol Res 2004;49:239-43.
12.
Husson GP, Vilagines R, Delaveau P. [Antiviral properties of various extracts
of natural origin]. Ann Pharm Fr 1986; 44:41-8.
13. Ramos
JJ, Ferrer LM, Garcia L, et al. Polioencephalomalacia in adult
sheep
grazing pastures with prostrate pigweed. Can Vet J 2005;46:59-61.
14.
Henderson JA, Evans EV, McIntosh RA. The antithiamine action of Equisetum. J Am
Vet Med Assoc 1952;120:375-8.
15. Fabre
B, Geay B, Beaufils P. Thiaminase activity in equisetum arvense
and its
extracts. Plant Med Phytother 1993;26:190-7.
16. Perez
Gutierrez RM, Laguna GY, Walkowski A. Diuretic activity of Mexican equisetum. J
Ethnopharmacol 1985;14:269-72.
17. Lemus
I, Garcia R, Erazo S, et al. Diuretic activity of an Equisetum bogotense tea
(Platero herb): evaluation in healthy volunteers. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;54:55-8.
18.
Revilla MC, Andrade-Cetto A, Islas S, Wiedenfeld H. Hypoglycemic effect of
Equisetum myriochaetum aerial parts on type 2 diabetic patients. J
Ethnopharmacol 2002;81:117-20.
19.
Agustin-Ubide MP, Martinez-Cocera C, Alonso-Llamazares A, et al. Diagnostic
approach to anaphylaxis by carrot, related vegetables and horsetail (Equisetum
arvense) in a homemaker. Allergy 2004;59:786-7.
Also
Known As: Bottle Brush, Common Horsetail, Corn Horsetail, Dutch Rushes,
Equiseti Herba, Field Horsetail, Herbe à Récurer, Horse Herb, Horse Willow,
Paddock-Pipes, Pewterwort, Scouring Rush, Shave Grass, Spring Horsetail, Toadpipe.