Horsetail - Equisetum arvense

Horsetail is an ancient plant which has been found fossilized with dinosaur bones. Equisetum is the only living genus in Equisetaceae, a family of vascular plants that reproduce by spores rather than seeds. It contains up to 25% silica. It is used as a supplement for bones, teeth, skin, and hair. It helps to heal wounds, being antibacterial, and reduces oxidative stress, and is being investigated as a treatment for cardiac conditions.1

Silica has been shown to have a positive effect on bone mineralization. While the mechanism is not fully understood some studies have indicated that it could be involved in collagen synthesis.2 Collagen is a necessary part of all our connective tissues, but it declines as we age.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables plus extra vitamins is widely accepted as a part of osteoporosis treatment. Studies have shown that a treatment of vitamins and minerals plus horsetail plant (Equisetum arvense) is more effective for bone mineralization than raloxifene, the standard drug treatment, or vitamins and minerals alone.3

Tincture dosing: up to 2 tsp per day, it can be taken for one month, but then a break of at least two-weeks is advisable. Start slowly, people allergic to carrots or nicotine can have a reaction to horsetail. 

Possible side effects: increased urination, vitamin B1 deficiency when taken long-term, allergy.

1 Pallag A, Filip GA, Olteanu D, Clichici S, Baldea I, Jurca T, Micle O, Vicaş L, Marian E, Soriţău O, Cenariu M, Mureşan M. Equisetum arvense L. Extract Induces Antibacterial Activity and Modulates Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Endothelial Vascular Cells Exposed to Hyperosmotic Stress. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018 Feb 14; 2018:3060525. doi: 10.1155/2018/3060525. PMID: 29636839; PMCID: PMC5832138.
2JUGDAOHSINGH, R. 2007. "SILICON AND BONE HEALTH." J Nutr Health Aging 11 (2) :99–110.
3 Kotwal, Swati D. and Badole, Smita R. 2016. "Anabolic therapy with Equisetum arvense along with bone mineralizing nutrients in ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis." Indian J Pharmacol. 48 (3) :312–315. 10.4103/0253-7613.182880.