Equisetum arvense Horsetail

🌿 Industries That Use Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.)

Horsetail, or Field Horsetail, is a non-flowering perennial plant known for its jointed, brush-like stems and high silica content. Belonging to the Equisetaceae family, Equisetum arvense has been used since ancient times in traditional herbalism, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and even industrial abrasives.

1. Pharmaceutical & Traditional Medicine Industry

Widely used in Western, Persian, and Chinese herbal systems for:

• Bone & Joint Support: Silica aids in collagen synthesis and bone mineralization

• Urinary Health: Acts as a mild diuretic and anti-inflammatory

• Wound Healing: Historically applied as a poultice for minor cuts and skin issues

• Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant properties used in internal tonics

✅ Common forms: Herbal teas, tinctures, powdered capsules, poultices

2. Nutraceutical & Dietary Supplement Industry

Due to its natural mineral content, especially silica, potassium, and flavonoids, horsetail is used in:

• Hair, Skin & Nail supplements

• Bone and cartilage support formulas

• Detox and fluid-balancing blends

✅ Often paired with Nettle, Bamboo silica, or collagen supplements

3. Cosmetic & Personal Care Industry

Horsetail extract is prized in natural cosmetics for its toning and remineralizing effects:

• Firming creams and anti-aging serums

• Shampoos and hair tonics for brittle or thinning hair

• Mineral-rich facial masks and skin-refreshing toners

✅ Regarded for tissue regeneration and antioxidant activity

4. Food & Beverage Industry (Specialized Use)

While not common in culinary applications, horsetail is:

• Occasionally used in herbal teas and cleansing infusions

• Employed in traditional fermented tonics in Eastern Europe

• Considered a functional botanical rather than a flavoring herb

✅ Requires controlled use due to its alkaloids (e.g., palustrine)

5. Agricultural & Natural Pesticide Use

• Used in organic farming as a natural antifungal foliar spray

• Controls powdery mildew and rust in vineyards and orchards

• Part of biodynamic preparations

✅ Especially popular in sustainable and biodynamic viticulture

6. Industrial & Historical Applications

• The silica-rich stems were historically used as natural scouring pads

• Known as “pewterwort” due to its use in polishing pewter and metalware

✅ Still used in traditional instrument cleaning and craft applications

✅ Summary of Key Applications

🌱 Key Features

• 💎 Extremely rich in bioavailable silica (up to 10% of dry weight)

• 🌿 Contains flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and minerals

• 🌍 Native to Europe, Iran, North America, and parts of Asia

• 🧴 Available as dried herb, extract, capsule, or cosmetic ingredient

• ⚠️ Requires moderation in long-term use due to small amounts of alkaloids

HARVEST CALENDAR

 

🧾 Nutrition Facts – Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) (100g)

Botanical Name: Equisetum arvense L.
Common Names: Horsetail, Field Horsetail, Shavegrass, Bottlebrush
Plant Part Used: Dried sterile aerial parts (green stems)
Traditional Uses: Diuretic, bone-strengthening agent, wound healing, hair and nail tonic, anti-inflammatory, and connective tissue support herb

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🔹 General Composition (Per 100g, dried herb)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)*
Calories	~210 kcal	11%
Water	~7 g	—
Protein	~6.8 g	14%
Total Fat	~1.2 g	2%
• Saturated Fat	~0.3 g	1%
Carbohydrates	~46 g	17%
• Dietary Fiber	~24 g	86%
• Natural Sugars	~1.3 g	—

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🔬 Minerals

Mineral	Amount	% DV
Calcium	430 mg	33%
Iron	17.5 mg	97%
Magnesium	140 mg	35%
Potassium	850 mg	18%
Phosphorus	110 mg	9%
Silicon (Silica)	8–10 g	—†
Zinc	1.2 mg	11%
Manganese	1.9 mg	82%

†Silicon is not officially assigned a %DV, but is vital for collagen synthesis, bone, hair, skin, and nail health.

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🌿 Vitamins

Vitamin	Amount	% DV
Vitamin C	8 mg	9%
Vitamin E	0.7 mg	5%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)	0.06 mg	5%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)	0.12 mg	9%
Niacin (B3)	1.1 mg	7%
Vitamin K	~20 µg	17%

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🧪 Phytochemical Compounds

Dried Equisetum arvense contains several bioactive components:

• Silica (soluble silicates) – for tissue regeneration

• Flavonoids – including quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin

• Phenolic acids – such as caffeic and ferulic acids

• Alkaloids – including trace amounts of nicotine and equisetine

• Saponins – contribute to the plant’s diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties

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🏺 Traditional Applications

• Western Herbalism: Used for strengthening bones, nails, and hair, and promoting urinary health

• Traditional Persian & Greek Medicine: Known as a wound healer, urinary cleanser, and tissue tonic

• Modern Applications: Found in supplements for joint health, osteoporosis, and beauty support formulations

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⚠️ Caution & Dosage

• Typical use: 1–2 g per cup infusion, up to twice daily, or as capsules/tinctures

• Prolonged internal use should be supervised due to potential thiaminase content

• Not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, or people with kidney disorders

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📦 Storage

Store dried horsetail in a well-sealed, moisture-free container away from direct sunlight. Protect from air and humidity to retain its silica content.

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🧪 Disclaimer

This nutritional profile is for educational and informational purposes only. Nutrient values are estimates based on available herbal data and may vary by geography and processing. Always consult a qualified health professional before using this herb medicinally.