Few medicinal plants are as powerful at detoxifying and remineralizing the body as horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.). In fact, at this purifying and remineralizing plant A wide variety of works are attributed to him. properties and health benefits that are beyond doubt. You can make purifying and restorative horsetail infusions, and also baths and washes for very diverse purposes.

The horsetail is a plant next to fernswhich develops a fertile stem and later a sterile one, with a feathery appearance. It is this stem that we use for medicinal purposes. It grows, sometimes abundantly, on the banks of rivers and streams, swamps and wetlands. Traditionally, horsetail had been used – and continues to be used – in decoction as a diuretic remedy, to increase urine flow, and also to stop bleeding.

As an astringent, antihemorrhagic, diuretic and remineralizing plant, it is intended to treat menstrual disordersnosebleeds, urine retention, hypertension, asthenia and anemia. It is applied in the form of a decoction orally or in compresses, baths and washes.

Properties of horsetail

The horsetail is very rich in mineral saltsespecially silica, but also iron, potassium, magnesium and aluminum. In its composition we also find caffeic and equisetolic acids, flavonoids, saponosides, tannins, vitamin C and traces of alkaloids.

All of these compounds give horsetail a wide range of healing properties. Among its main properties are its astringent effect, antihemorrhagicantidiarrheal, remineralizing, antianemic, diuretic, purifying, antihypertensive and healing.

What is horsetail used for?

Horsetail remedies are used to relieve widespread conditions, although these are the most notable:

• Anemic states, weakness, asthenia and convalescence of an illness, mainly due to its remineralizing properties.
• Genitourinary conditions such as cystitis, high blood pressure, gout, edema and overweight.

It is also a support for young women, to try heavy menstruations and to help overcome states of atony and lack of strength.

And its remineralizing properties mean that it continues to be a good support for women later, in middle age, as it helps treat osteoporosis naturally and slow its progression. It not only helps strengthen bones, but also facilitates the healing of fractures. Additionally, it serves to relieve rheumatic pain.

Externally It is applied to nosebleeds, minor wounds with bleeding, mouth bleeding, eye irritations, dermatitis and to strengthen hair from the roots.

How to use horsetail

The most common home remedies with horsetail with which we can benefit from its properties are: infusion and the decoctionto drink drinks internally, and also a decoction applied externally as a wash or bath.

In herbalists you can also find horsetail in the shape of a liquid extract and in capsules and tablets.

Another way to use it is by extracting the fresh plant juice.

Does the ponytail lose weight?

The horsetail is one of the main herbalist assets to promote weight loss. Its powerful diuretic and purifying effect helps eliminate toxins with urine reduce fluid retention.

Taking horsetail is a good natural option to combat obesity and bloating due to excess fluids, since it has the capacity to increase urine output by up to 30%.

The best way to take it As a slimming method it is like a purifying infusion.

Horsetail infusion

We can prepare a horsetail infusion in different ways to take advantage of its properties, depending on the benefit we want to enhance.

Horsetail infusion to lose weight

This infusion combines horsetail with other cleansing and diuretic plants. You can take it throughout the day, even cold from the refrigerator.

Horsetail infusion for anemia and asthenia

In this infusion, horsetail is combined with other tonic plants rich in minerals. You can drink two cups a day, or drink throughout the day, hot or cold from the refrigerator.

Other home remedies with horsetail

You can also take horsetail in other ways:

• Fresh horsetail, just harvested, in the form of a decoction: about 50 grams per liter of water, two cups a day.
• The juice of the fresh plant, obtained with a mortar or blender. One tablespoon a day is enough.
• Horsetail in drops, alone or combined with other herbs, in the form of a liquid extract, to take between 30 and 50 drops daily, mixed in water or fruit juice.
• In capsules and tablets, sold in herbalists and some pharmacies.

Externally, horsetail decoction is applied:

• In the form of washing, bathing and soaking compresses as an astringent and healing agent.
• Horsetail decoction applied in massage to strengthen hair roots.
• In the form of horsetail hair lotion.
• In the form of lipolytic creams, to eliminate localized adiposity. Horsetail is normally combined with glycolic extracts of fucus, ginkgo, butcher’s broom and garcinia, plus an emulsifier.

Horsetail bath for joint pain

To take advantage of the benefits of horsetail against joint pain, you can do a partial bath of your arms, legs or the area where the pain is located. You must keep the area submerged until the water cools. The operation is repeated every day, for a couple of weeks.

Alternatively, you can soak compresses with this same formula and apply them to the painful area.

Contraindications of horsetail

Don’t take horsetail if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The presence of alkaloids and tannins advises against it.

As a diureticthe horse’s tail should not be taken for long periods. Treatments of 15 days and another 15 days of not taking it are recommended.

If you take ponytail before going to sleepremember that it is a powerful diuretic, which can force you to get out of bed more than once.

Horsetail can irritate the gastric mucosa, especially if taken continuously. Avoid it in case of gastritis.