HORSETAIL (a member of the genus Equisetum) Informal Taxonomy: PLANTS, VASCULAR- FERNS & RELATIVES Kingdom- Plantae; Phylum-

Sphenophyta; Class- Equisetopsida; OrderEquisetales; Family- Equisetaceae; Genus- Equisetum

Horsetail is the only living descendent of the extinct coal age swamp forests; the fossilized tissue of the Carboniferous genus Calamites of the order of sphenopsids turned into coal. Today, the phylum Sphenophyta consists of only one remaining family, Equisetaceae, with one genus, Equisetum. Modern day horsetails (genus Equisetum), unlike the 30 to 60 foot giant trees of the genus Calamites from the Age of Amphibians, look like long needled, single stemmed pine seedlings, growing from a few inches to a few feet tall. This primitive vascular plant group has jointed stems and a terminal spore cone (strobilus). Equisetum has prolific growth possibilities- these hardy perennials grow in almost any type of soil, and new stems spring up from a creeping rhizome. The advice is: if you want Horsetail in your garden, grow it in potsotherwise you might create a jungle in your yard. The genus Equisetum consists of 15 (to 25) species of non-flowering, spore-carrying plants- relatives of the ferns. The genus consists of the subgenus Equisetum and the subgenus Hippochaete, also known as the giant horsetails or scouring rushes. 15 species of the genus Equisetum are as follows: 1 Subgenus Equisetum Equisetum arvense - Field or Common Horsetail Equisetum bogotense - Andean Horsetail Equisetum diffusum - Himalayan Horsetail Equisetum fluviatile Water Horsetail Equisetum palustre - Marsh Horsetail Equisetum pratense - Shade Horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum Wood Horsetail Equisetum telmateia - Great Horsetail Subgenus Hippochaete
Scouring Rushes!) (giant Horsetails!

Equisetum giganteum - Giant Horsetail Equisetum myriochaetum - Mexican Giant Horsetail Equisetum hyemale - Rough Horsetail Equisetum laevigatum - Smooth Horsetail Equisetum ramosissimum - Branched Horsetail Equisetum scirpoides - Dwarf Horsetail Equisetum variegatum - Variegated Horsetail

The name, Equisetum, derives from the Latin words- equus or horse, and seta, meaning bristle. The plants jointed stems give it a bristly appearance, looking, indeed, like a horses tail; thus, the popular name of Horsetail. The stems have a high silica content; Equisetum hyemale contains so much silca that it has been sold for the purpose of polishing metal, and has earned the name of Scouring Rush. The plant has been used to scour pewter and wooden kitchen utensils, thus earning the name of Pewterwort; dairymaids used Equisetum to scour their milk pails.

Horsetail. 15 Oct. 2005. Wilkipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 30 October 2005. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equisetum>

Horsetail is used medicinally for diuresis, edema, kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections, incontinence, and general disturbances of the kidney and bladder. It is also used for alopecia, tuberculosis, brittle fingernails, rheumatic diseases, gout, frostbite, profuse menstruation, and nasal, pulmonary, and gastric hemorrhage. Topically, horsetail is used for supportive treatment of wounds and burns.2 It has been used in used in Arabic and Jewish Traditional Medicine and in Middle Eastern Ethnobotany3. Native Tarahumara herbalists of northern Mexico use E. laevigatum as a wash for wounds, cuts, scratches, and surface infections. It is also used in a tea for chest congestion, bronchial inflammation, and chest pains. E. hyemale is used as a tea for urinary ailments and to stimulate urination. 4 The famous German herbalist Rudolf Weiss also suggests that horsetail can relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.5 As quoted in A Modern Herbal, 6 Nicholas Cullpepper, the 17th century pioneer of herbal medicine says of Horsetail: It is very powerful to stop bleeding, either inward or outward, the juice or the decoction being drunk, or the juice, decoction or distilled water applied outwardly It also heals inward ulcers It solders together the tops of green wounds and cures ruptures in children. The decoction taken in wine helps stone and strangury (A condition marked by slow, painful urination, caused by muscular spasms of the urethra and bladder.); the distilled water drunk two or three times a day eases and strengthens the intestines and is effectual in a cough that comes by distillation from the head. The juice or distilled water used as a warm fomentation is of service in inflammations and breakings out in the skin. According to the Kings American Dispensatory 7, the Specific Indications and uses of Equisetum hyemale include: cystic irritation; nocturnal urinal incontinence; tenesmic urging to urinate; dropsy; and renal calculi. The only change to these indications in Harvey Wickes Felter, M.D.s 1922 The Eclectic

Jelin, Jeff M., Pharm.D., Monograph- Horsetail. 28 October 2005. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 30 October 2005. <http://www.therapeuticresearch.net/(o3533p55k4dbls55fp1qodrp)/nd/Search.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND&pt=100&sh=1&id=843 > Schulman, Risa N., Ph.D. Herb Clip # 091124-221. American Botanical Councils Herb Ed Web. Herbs and Medicinal Materials Used in the Middle East During Medieval and Ottoman Periods. 27 Nov 2002. iHerb.com Health Encyclopedia. 31 Oct 2005. <http://www.herbalgram.org/iherb/herbclip/review.asp?i=43340>

4 HerbalGram. 1995;34:44-55. The Journal of the American Botanical Council. Cures of the Copper Canyon: Medicinal Plants of the Tarahumara with Potential Toxicity. 2005. iHerb.com Health Encyclopedia. 31 Oct 2005. <http://www.herbalgram.org/iherb/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=960 >

EBSCO Publishing. Horsetail. August 2003. iHerb.com Health Encyclopedia. 31 October 2005. <http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21760>
6

Grieve, Mrs. M. A Modern Herbal- Volume 1 (A-H). New York: Dover Publications, Inc. 1971. p 420.

Felter, Harvey Wickes ,M.D., and John Uri Lloyd, Phr. M., Ph. D. Kings American Dispensatory. 1898. Henriettes Herbal Homepage. 08 Feb 2002. <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html > 30 Oct. 2005.

Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, is the omission of dropsy8. Felter describes the action and therapy of Equisetum as: diuretic and astringent. It is asserted to greatly relieve irritation due to the presence of gravel and the tenesmic urging to urinate in acute inflammations of the genito-renal tract. When the bladder becomes so irritable that the patient, upon dropping to sleep, loses control over the urine it is said to be specially serviceable. It has restrained hematuria and is of service in acute prostatitis and in the prostatorrhea which follows it.9 In the 1919 text, The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognasy, Equisetum hyemale is indicated as a diuretic useful in suppression of urine from any cause. Useful in dropsy and in lithemic conditions, where the urine is scanty, of high specific gravity, and dark-colored. It is advised in hematuria, and is of much service in both gonorrhea and gleet. In cases of irritable bladder with much tenesmus, it is soothing in its influence. It is valuable in the treatment of nocturnal incontinence of urine in children, and in incontinence induced by cystic irritation.10 Although the three classic American texts from 1898, 1919 and 1922 refer to the species Equisetum hyemale, the majority of contemporary western information on Horsetail refers to Equisetum arvense- the common or field horsetail. Whether mu zei, Equiseti hiemalis Herba, of the Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, is the same species as the Equisetum hyemale of the classic texts, is not 100% certain; mu zei is indicated for wind-heat affecting the eyes and causing redness, pain, swelling, cloudiness, blurred vision, pterygium or excessive tearing; in addition, it stops bleeding and is an auxiliary herb for blood in the stool or hemorrhoids. It is interesting to note that Equiseti hiemalis Herba (mu zei) is to be used with caution in cases of urinary frequency, depleted fluids, qi deficiency . 11 Equisetum arvense, (according to Peter Holmes in The Energetics of Western Herbs12), however, is indicated for KI Qi deficiency, with frequent, dripping, scanty urination with urinary incontinence and bedwetting. Rudolf Steiner, the pioneer of both anthroposophic medicine and biodynamic gardening, indicated Equisetum arvense in both these fields. The concept of biodynamics recognizes the role of cosmic energies that create and maintain life. In biodynamic gardening, a liquid tea prepared from the silicarich horsetail plant (Equisetum arvense), (in homeopathic quantities), is used as

8 Felter, Harvey Wickes ,M.D. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 1922. Henriettes Herbal Homepage. 18 Oct. 2001. <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/felter/main.html> 30 October 2005. 9

Fleter, Harvey Wickes, M.D. 1922. <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/felter/equisetum-hyem.html> 30 October 2005

10

Ellingwood, Finley, M.D. The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognasy. 1919. Henriettes Herbal Homepage. <http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/ellingwood/equisetum.html> 30 October 2005.

11 Bensky, Dan, and Steven Clavey, Erich Stoger. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica 3rd Edition. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press Inc., 2004. pp 69-70. 12

Peter Holmes. The Energetics of Western Herbs. Snow Lotus Press; 3rd Rev edition., 1997. pp 599-601.

a foliar spray to suppress fungal diseases in plants.13 In anthroposophical medicine, Equisetum arvense is used as an antidote against weak digestion14, and, because of its silicon content, it is beneficial to Kidney functioning:
The peculiar feature of this plant is that it contains a great deal of silicic acid. If we were to give silicic acid alone it would, however, not reach the kidneys. Equisetum also contains sulphurous acid salts. Sulphurous acid salts alone work on the rhythmic system, on the excretory organs and on the kidneys in particular. When they are intimately combined as they are in Equisetum arvense then the sulphurous acid salts enable the silicic acid to find its way to the kidneys.15 Homeopathic doses of Equisetum are also used in anthroposophic medicine. A homeopathic remedy of Aurum/Equisetum is indicated in a special case of cardiac insufficiency involving blood circulation and kidney function. Equisetum is noted as the key remedy for degenerative kidney processes, and can positively influence incipient glomerular and tubular insufficiency. (pages 156-157: Choosing Remedies; faxed pages)* A 1% tincture of Equisetum arvense is used in degenerative discs and reactive connective tissue swelling; In equisetum we have a double process of silica and sulfur. Degeneration and inflammation are united in the plant, so to speak. (Pages 283-284: Choosing Remedies; faxed pages.)* (I can get the exact title/author/publisher- if needed)

Some experts believe that horsetail may be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis because silicon is a vital component for bone and cartilage formations. In addition, the silicon content is said to exert a connective tissuestrengthening and antiarthritic action. In addition to silicic acid and silicates, (sources of elemental silicon), horsetail contains potassium, aluminum, and manganese along with fifteen different types of bioflavonoids. The bioflavonoids are believed to cause the diuretic action of this herb.16 Equisetums ethnobotanical uses worldwide include: for sores and wounds in Canada; as an anodyne (pain relief) and carminative (digestive aid) in China; for albuminuria, calculus, diarrhea, dropsy, hematuria, hemoptysis and tuberculosis in Haiti; for diabetes and Kidney in Iraq; as an antiseptic, and for cancer in South America; as a diuretic and for tumors in Spain; as an antiseptic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, for consumption, hemostat, Lung and pile in Turkey; and elsewhere for bladder, consumption, diuretic, dropsy, dyspepsia, gout, gravel, hemopoietic, hemostat and Kidney.17

13

Sridharin, Lakshmi, Dr. Biodynamics; the Sun, the Moon, and the Rose Gardening. 2 March 2002. <http://www.mainerosesociety.com/biodynamics.html> 31 October 2005
14 Steiner, Rudolf. Spiritual Science and Medicine, Lecture X. 24 October 2005. Rudolf Steiner Archive. <http://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/19200330p01.html> 31 October 2005 15 Steiner, Rudolf. Spiritual Science and the Art of Healing, Lecture II. 24 October 2005. Rudolf Steiner Archive. <http://wn.rsarchive.org/Medicine/19240721p01.html> 31 October 2005.

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense). Ecoplant- In Harmony with Mother Nature. <http://www.puralibre.com/html/eng_horsetail.html> 31 October 2005
17

16

Database File for Horsetail (Equisetum arvense). 2004. Raintree Nutrition- Tropical Plant database. 30 October 2005. <http://www.rain-tree.com/horsetail.htm>

In spite of the worldwide, age-old usage of this herb, documented reliable information regarding the effectiveness of this herb is scanty. On the contrary, adverse reactions (i.e. potential toxic aspects) of this herb are quoted in the literature. Because horsetail contains thiaminase, long-term use of this herb can lead to thiamine deficiency. Nicotine is also an ingredient in horsetail, and nicotine poisoning has been found in children who have chewed on the hollow stems of Equisetum. (Equisetum hyemale, for example, makes a great blow gun!) The diuretic nature of this herb can create digoxin toxicity in patients using digitalis like drugs. Hypokalemia is a possibility in patients using diuretics or corticosteroids while taking horsetail.18 The author of Cures of the Copper Canyon: Medicinal Plants of the Tarahumara with Potential Toxicity (in The Journal of the American Botanical Councils HerbalGram. 1995;34:44-55) offers a valuable take on the fear that modern day scientific research can instill in its audience. One mans poison may be a Tarahumaras panacea, he states. Despite the herbs thiaminase threat of Vitamin B1 deficiency, the plants also contain saponins, several flavone glycosides, and silica (Der Marderosian & Liberti, 1988:312). E. hyemale contains polyphenolic flavonoids with bactericidal activity. It is used for cancer and carcinomatous ulcers in Austria and Germany (Duke & Ayensu, 1985:295). E. arvense is known to contain isoquercitin, beta-sitosterol, and kaempferol. Together these three chemicals place Equisetum on the list of possible natural remedies towards treating diabetes. Isoquercitin is a diuretic. Beta-sitosterol is an antihypercholesterolemic [lowers cholesterol]. Kaempferol is also a diuretic and a natriuretic [causes sodium loss], increasing urine secretions and the functioning of the kidney cells, increasing, in turn, their permeability and circulation. The general result is that kidney function improves which helps the body to positively react to water retention and excessive blood glucose levels, both of which are secondary symptoms of diabetes (Winkelman, 1991:2). The authors case is that the anthropological studies of native healing methods reveal strong empirical underpinnings [of traditional knowledge] which has not received the attention it merits." 19 Perhaps we would do well to take note!

18 Jelin, Jeff M., Pharm.D., Monograph- Horsetail. 28 October 2005. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 30 October 2005. <http://www.therapeuticresearch.net/(o3533p55k4dbls55fp1qodrp)/nd/Search.aspx?li=1&st=1&cs=&s=ND&pt=100&sh=1&id=843 >

19 HerbalGram. 1995;34:44-55. The Journal of the American Botanical Council. Cures of the Copper Canyon: Medicinal Plants of the Tarahumara with Potential Toxicity. 2005. iHerb.com Health Encyclopedia. 31 Oct 2005. <http://www.herbalgram.org/iherb/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=960 >

Some functions and indications of Herba Equiseti as listed in the literature are presented in the table below.
Nicholas Culpepper- 17th century herbalist: 1) Stops bleeding- internally/externally 2) Heals ulcers (internal) and wounds (external) 3) Stony, painful urination 4) Strengthens the intestines 5) Treats cough 6) Treats inflamed, breaking out skin. (See A Modern Herbal, Vol. I; p 421.) The American Materia Medica (1919): 1) Diuretic- for suppression of urine from any cause 2) Dropsy 3) Lithemic conditions (dark, scanty urine of high specific gravity) 4) Hematuria 5) Gonorrhea & gleet 6) Irritable bladder with tenesmus 7) Incontinence of urine in children 8) Incontinence of urine from cystic irritation (See Henriettes Herbal Home Page- Classic Texts.) http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/ Ecclectic Materia Medica (1922): 1) Cystic irritation 2) Nocturnal urinal incontinence 3) Tenesmic urging to urinate 4) Renal calculi (See Henriettes Herbal Home Page- Classic Texts.) . http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/ Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica: 1) Disperses wind-heat, clears the eyes, and reduces superficial visual obstruction 2) Clears heat and stops bleeding: as an auxiliary herb for blood in the stool or hemorrhoids (Bensky, Clavey, Stoger. p 69) . The Energetics of Western Herbs: 1) Clears heat, dries damp, reduces infection and stops discharge 2) Promotes astriction, reduces secretions, stops discharge & bleeding; promotes tissue repair 3) Restores musculoskeletal & connective tissues, regulates mineral metabolism, restores blood, relieves fatigue; strengthens the KI, LU and Bones 4) Tonifies/circulates urinary qi, harmonizes urination, relieves pain 5) Promotes detoxification, resolves toxicosis and drains plethora; promotes urination, dissolves deposits and benefits the skin (Holmes, pp 599-600) .

Marita Schneider

November 1, 2005

Western Herbology