Horsetail: what is it used for and how to prepare tea
Horsetail is a medicinal plant of the spice Equisetum arvense, which is used as a home remedy to combat fluid retention, aid in weight loss and strengthen bones. In addition, due to its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, horsetail can be used as an aid in the treatment of kidney stones and urinary infections, for example.
Hairtail tea, prepared from the dried stem, is the most commonly used way to consume this plant, which can be found in health food stores and some drugstores. Another way to consume horsetail is in capsule form.
Although it has several health benefits, the use of horsetail can also produce several side effects, mainly when the plant is consumed in excessive amounts or for more than a week, such as severe headache or pancreatitis, for example. Therefore, its use should always be guided by a physician or other health professional with experience in the use of medicinal plants.
What is horsetail used for
Horsetail has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, healing and remineralizing properties, and can be used for various purposes.
The main indications of horsetail are:
1. Combat fluid retention
Horsetail has diuretic effect due to the large amounts of flavonoids, such as quercetin and apigenin, phenolic compounds, such as caffeic and cinnamic acids, as well as mineral salts that act by increasing the production and elimination of fluids through urine, combating swelling and fluid retention.
A study conducted showed that taking a daily dose of 900 mg of dry horsetail extract in capsule form has a more potent diuretic effect than a pharmacy diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide, for example. However, more studies are still needed to prove this effect. [1]
2. Helping to lose weight
Horsetail helps to lose weight because it has in its composition antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and diuretic substances, such as flavonoids and caffeic acid, which increase the burning of localized fat and help to eliminate liquids that can cause excess weight.
In addition, the caffeic acid in horsetail has thermogenic effect, which helps increase metabolism and fat burning, contributing to weight loss.
3. Fight urinary infection
Because it has diuretic action, horsetail can be useful in fighting urinary infections and other urinary and kidney problems such as cystitis or nephritis, for example. This because by stimulating the elimination of urine, this plant also promotes the elimination of bacteria from the urinary tract that cause these diseases.
4. Lower blood pressure
Horsetail helps lower blood pressure due to its diuretic action, which increases the elimination of fluids from the body. This causes the volume of fluids in the blood vessels to decrease, also reducing the effort that the heart makes to pump blood and, consequently, lowering blood pressure.
5. Maintain bone health
Horsetail is rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium which are essential minerals to strengthen, increase stamina and maintain bone health.
In addition, some laboratory studies show that horsetail can inhibit bone degradation and stimulate the formation and regeneration of bone cells, preventing the development of diseases such as osteoporosis, osteopenia or rickets, for example.
Other studies show that, due to the high silica concentrate in its composition, horsetail helps to improve the formation, density and consistency of bones and cartilage, in addition to increasing collagen synthesis and improving calcium absorption in bones.
However, human studies are still needed to prove these benefits.
6. Improve the appearance of nails and skin
The silica present in horsetail reduces brittleness and deformity formation in nails, in addition to improving hydration, hardening and strengthening that helps in the appearance and growth of nails.
In addition, horsetail has astringent, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action, contributing to improve the quality of the skin, as it fights free radicals that cause damage to cells and can cause premature aging, in addition to reducing the fat in the skin, comitigating and preventing the appearance of acne.
7. Eliminate fungi and bacteria
Some studies show that horsetail has essential oils, such as thymol and cineol, which are able to eliminate fungi, mainly skin fungi, such as Candida sp. and bacteria such as:
However, more human studies are still needed to prove this benefit.
How to prepare horsetail tea
Horsetail tea is the main form of consumption of this plant, made from the dried stem, and can be used as a diuretic to aid in the treatment of urinary tract infections, help lose weight or combat high blood pressure.
Ingredients
How to prepare
Place the dried horsetail stem in the cup of boiling water and let steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and drink up to 2 cups a day, preferably after the main meals of the day.
This tea should not be used for more than 1 week at a time, to avoid dehydration and elimination of some essential minerals for the body.
Other ways to use horsetail
In addition to tea, horsetail can be found in 100 mg capsules, consumed after breakfast and lunch, and should always be used under medical guidance or by a health professional with experience in nutritional plants.
Another way to use horsetail is to make a sitz bath that can help in the treatment of urinary tract infections. To make the sitz bath simply place 3 handfuls of dried stems in the bath water and remain submerged in the water for 5 to 10 minutes.
See other options for sitz baths for urinary tract infections.
Side effects
Horsetail is safe for most adults when consumed for a short period of time, up to one week, or according to the guidance of a physician, nutritionist or herbalist.
However, when consumed in large quantities and for a long time, it can cause loss of important minerals for the body and may cause diarrhea, headache, dehydration, weight loss, pancreatitis, altered heart rate and muscle weakness.
Horsetail contraindications
The consumption of horsetail is not recommended in pregnant women and women during breastfeeding, as well as in people with heart failure, low blood pressure and kidney disease, due to its ability to lower blood pressure and to have a diuretic effect.
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