horsetail plant benefits indoor Horsetail

horsetail plant benefits indoor HorsetailHORSETAIL Equisetum arvense (POLIKOMPI) Equisteum Family Common names: Peterwort, snakegrass HISTORY OF USE Horsetail is an ancient plant, with fossils found from prehistoric time. It has an herbal tradition of use in China, Russia, parts of Europe, and with North American Indians. It was widely used in Europe as a topical wound healing herb. It is one of the only living genus of the entire class Equisetopsida, There are no close relatives to this

HORSETAIL Equisetum arvense (POLIKOMPI) Equisteum Family
Common names: Peterwort, snakegrass

HISTORY OF USE
Horsetail is an ancient plant, with fossils found from prehistoric time. It has an herbal tradition of use in China, Russia, parts of Europe, and with North American Indians. It was widely used in Europe as a topical wound healing herb. It is one of the only living genus of the entire class Equisetopsida, There are no close relatives to this herb; the closest group of plants are ferns.
Horsetail  has a long and varied history of medicinal use. In the first century AD, Galen described it as cooling and drying to the body. Culpeper, in the 17th century, described it as a hardening medicine, meaning it reduced inflammation and excess moisture in the body.
Horsetail makes an effective natural diuretic. In modern medicine, a diuretic is usually supplemented by potassium to replace the potassium lost in urine. Horsetail, however, has its own built-in way of helping the body maintain potassium levels. In a normal diet the ratio of potassium to sodium is about 2:1, but in horsetail it is 150:1, which means any potassium lost by its diuretic action is replaced naturally.
In the last century horsetail was used to treat tuberculosis and is now used for conditions where tissue repair to damaged lungs is required. Horsetail is also used to curb excessive menstrual bleeding through its astringent and toning properties.
Russian research conducted in the early 1960s indicates that horsetail effectively removes toxic lead accumulation from the body, echoing the tradition of use as a blood cleanser.

CULINARY USE
Plant material should not be ingested as it is a rough herb and can be tough on the digestive system. Horsetail infusions, however, can be added to soups, stews, smoothies, and the like.

MEDICINAL USE
Silica must be present for the utilization of calcium, so horsetail is essential in mineral uptake considering the herb has an extremely high amount of silica. Good to use when there is an indication of low silica, as exhibited by split ends, hair loss, weak hair, splitting nails, cracked and rigid nails.
Urinary System: In combination with other herbs, horsetail is used in cystitis (bladder infection), and in interstitial cystitis (inflammation of the layer between bladder lining and muscle). Its effectiveness is thought to come from its alkalinizing effect on urine and from the fact that it makes the bladder wall less permeable to bacteria. Horsetail has long been used to alleviate both kidney and bladder stones, having a solvent effect on uric stones. It also helps to heal and tone the wall of the bladder, especially strengthening the bladder sphincter. This makes horsetail very valuable in conditions where frequent urination is due to a weak bladder sphincter. It is often combined to good effect with hydrangea root (Hydrangea arborescens) for men with benign prostate enlargement. It would seem that an herb that increases the need to urinate would be aggravating, whereas in fact the tissue-healing, strengthening and toning actions of horsetail actually improve the condition.Offers healing for urinary tract infections and for bladder problems, and is generally thought of as a urinary tract herb. Also good for short term use for kidney stones. 
Blood cleanser: Removes toxins from blood. 
External use: Horsetail is known as a vulnerary, meaning it increases wound healing, and has been used as a poultice to staunch bleeding. Good as a hair rinse or hair oil.

FLAVOR & ENERGETICS
Cooling, fruity, drying

HERBAL ACTIONS
Diuretic, astringent, antimicrobial, vulnerary

CONSTITUENTS
Good source of bio-available silica.

CAUTIONS
Do not eat plant material, only use as tea herb and discard plant material, as they can be hard on the gastrointestinal tract. For use in kidney formulas, use in small doses and not long term over three weeks, as it will lend up irritating kidneys, though short term use is highly effective.

TEA BLENDS
Combines well with nettles and dandelion for a high mineral tonic. For urinary tract complaints, combine with couch grass and yarrow, marshmallow root. For a hair rinse, use with yarrow, or with chamomile, or with nettles

DISCLAIMER
This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, heal, mitigate, or remedy disease. It is for educational purposes only and should not be implemented without the express consent of your healthcare practitioner.