9 Horsetail Benefits You Need To Know About

Have you ever heard about horsetail? Or how horsetail benefits your health?

And not, it’s not about horses.

Horsetail is an ancient superfood that dates back to prehistoric times. It used to be consumed in teas and tinctures, and recently, people are bringing it back to their herbal remedy cabinet. 

Horsetail tea benefits could include lowering inflammation, boosting your brainpower, strengthening the immune system, protecting the health of your bones and much more.

If you’re wondering what is horsetail good for? Or what horsetail is? (to begin with) You’re in the right place. The potential horsetail benefits for human health may make this exciting ingredient a new go-to in your own kitchen and cupboard.

What Is Horsetail Plant?

The use of horsetail goes back approximately three hundred to one hundred million years ago. Horsetail is a descendant of ancient plants of the Carboniferous period of prehistoric times. These plants grew as tall as trees. Its name comes from the obvious fact that it somewhat resembles a horse's tail.

Horsetail, otherwise known as Equisetum, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for fevers, eye inflammations, dysentery, flu, swellings, and hemorrhoids. Horsetail benefits the patient with its antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory properties.

This ancient plant was also recommended in medicinal literature by Galen, a Roman physician for kidney and bladder problems who also used it to treat arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis.

Are Horsetail And Silica The Same Thing?

Horsetail benefits are currently sought after by vegans and plant-based people who can’t eat collagen coming from animals and are looking for a sustainable solution. Silica is a natural source of collagen-boosting minerals that help the body produce and restock its own stores of collagen.

Horsetail is not exclusively made out of silica, but it is one of its most interesting components. Because of silica, horsetail tea benefits usually boast bone repair and muscle recovery.

In fact,  it is often used to fix calcium imbalance and repair bones, collagen, and other body tissues. Thanks to silica, it can be beneficial for preventing and helping with osteoporosis.

Why Should You Use Horsetail?

From ancient times to the present, the many potential horsetail benefits have attracted people to it, popularizing its consumption all over the world. We’re not different.

Horsetail benefits may surprise you; it could:

• Boost the immune system
• Lower inflammation
• Strengthen bones,
• Boost hair growth 
• Support healthy skin
• Reduce the risk of diabetes or cancer
• Improve cognitive functions 
• Support kidney function

Horsetail Benefits for Human Health

What is horsetail good for? Oh so much. Wait till you see what research says about the benefits of horsetail, you’ll be making that tea in no time.

#1 Horsetail Could Boost Your Immune System

Horsetail benefits reportedly include antibacterial and antiseptic properties and could help strengthen the immune system preventing the common cold, the flu, and viral infections with its potent antioxidant content. Research indicates that it has “strong protective activity against free radicals, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative agents.”

#2 Horsetail May Lower Inflammation

Multiple studies suggest that by lowering inflammation in the body, horsetail could help reduce the symptoms of arthritis, gout, physical injuries, and muscle fatigue. Horsetail tea benefits could make it a satisfying post-workout drink to relax and help your body restore itself. Due to its collagen-boosting properties, it could also be a suitable complementary drink for those who want to relieve joint pain.

#3 Horsetail Benefits Could Support Bone Health

Because of its silica content, which is key in protecting bone mineral density, horsetail may help protect and heal your bones and prevent osteoporosis. Studies show that it could improve or increase bone density when consumed in extract form. 

A small study concluded that 120 mg/kg of or horsetail benefits mandibular bone mineral density significantly after 30 days.

#4 Horsetail Might Aid Brain Function

Horsetail could boost brain power, improve memory, and help prevent or treat Alzheimer's and dementia. Researchers believe that the antioxidant content in horsetail benefits cardiovascular function in the brain protects neuropathways, and could, in the future, support other forms of therapy for early-onset degenerative brain conditions.

#5 Horsetail May Support Glowing Skin

With the help of a mixture of antioxidants, inflammation-reducing properties, silica, and other phenolic compounds, horsetail benefits for the skin could include reduced acne bouts, eczema episodes, psoriasis flare-ups, and support cell regeneration for clear and glowing skin.

#6 Horsetail Might Help Prevent Diabetes

Horsetail may help balance insulin levels and potentially prevent and help with diabetes, according to research. Horsetail tea benefits could be especially attractive to those who have a history of diabetes in the family or are presently at risk themselves. 

Horsetail benefits, however varied, are not a replacement for medication, and it is best to consult with a licensed physician before adding herbal remedies that may interfere with medication.

# 7 Horsetail May Protect Your Hair

Because of its silica content, minerals, and other organic compounds, horsetail could help strengthen your hair, reduce hair loss, and add a beautiful shine.

#8 Horsetail Could Aid Kidney Function

Horsetail could help uric acid elimination, kidney function, and the elimination of toxins from your body.

#9 Horsetail Might Help Prevent Cancer

Because horsetail is high in antioxidants, it can prevent free radical damage, inflammation, and potentially cancer. Research is in the early stages, but it could be an alternative or complementary form of therapy to lessen the side effects of traditional treatments.

How Should You Use Horsetail?

Horsetail is a fantastic superfood that you can enjoy fresh in a tea, as an extract, or mixed in with a delicious superfood mix, like our Gold, Chocolate.

Fresh Horsetail Grass/Herb

Fresh horsetail may be found by serious foragers and sometimes in health food stores where you can find dried horsetail as well. Fresh horsetail can be used for teas, for sore throats when gargled, for foot baths and as skin or hair treatment.

Horsetail Extract 

Horsetail extract may be found in health food stores and online. Using an extract, you can take less, but experience more potent benefits. You can add extract to smoothies, juices and baked goods and you can often find it as an ingredient in superfood mixes.

Blend it In

The immune-boosting benefits of horsetail could be powered up -and hidden for those who dislike its characteristic taste- in a warm mug of hot chocolate. Healthy hot chocolate, that is.

Our seasonal version of our superfood blend Gold, called Gold, Chocolate, is a nutrient-dense superfood mix that is designed to help you rest and recover. 

Its mood-enhancing cocoa plus the benefits of turmeric, Reishi mushroom, coconut milk, cinnamon, and more, go well with horsetail and may improve your body’s ability to rest and relax naturally.

Get the coveted horsetail benefits in these easy DIY Recipes:

How to Get Horsetail Tea Benefits in Your Diet

Horsetail Tea

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup horsetail
• 1 - 1.5 cups of water

Instructions: Boil the water, add the horsetail in. Let it soak for 30 mins. Enjoy.

Horsetail Skin And Hair Booster

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup horsetail
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup water
• 1 drop stevia or 1 tbsp honey

Instructions: Blend everything in your blender. Strain to get rid of the fiber. Enjoy.

Horsetail Foot Bath

Ingredients:

• 8 oz of dried horsetail or 5 - 6 quarts of fresh horsetail
• water

Instructions: Add the plants to a pot of water that covers them. Leave it overnight. Soak your feet for 20 - 30 minutes. It can particularly help with tired feet after exercise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can horsetail grow indoors?
Horsetail can grow indoors in very moist soil with excellent light by the window.
Q. Can horsetail raise blood pressure?
Horsetail can raise your blood pressure, so if you have high blood pressure, avoid taking horsetail and talk to your doctor.
Q. Can horsetail cause hair loss?
No, at least not in most cases. Horsetail may actually protect your hair. However, always do a test before committing to a healthcare or beauty routine.
Q. Are horsetail plants edible?
Yes, they are. They are great as teas or as superfood extracts.
Q. How do you grow horsetail?
Choose a shady or partially sunny location in your garden. Make sure that you've added some manure or compost to your soil. Dig a hole as deep as the planting container and twice as wide, then put your plant in so the crown is ground level. Gently pack with native soil. Water immediately and make sure the soil is always moist.
Q. How much horsetail should I take daily?
Currently, there is not enough scientific evidence on how much horsetail is beneficial and safe to take daily. Follow the direction of your supplement and contact your healthcare professional if in doubt. 

Listen to your body and do not take horsetail long term. Horsetail contains a chemical called thiaminase. Thiaminase breaks down the vitamin thiamine, which can lead to thiamine deficiency long-term, so choose thiamine-free products or avoid long-term use.

Bottom Line

Horsetail is a powerful and ancient superfood with remarkable medicinal properties, and horsetail benefits, including an improved immune system, lower inflammation, bone support, and more, could be accessible to anyone who tries it.

Try it and tell us what you think. We love to hear your success stories; we’re in this together.