Latin name: Equisetum avense Genus: Horsetail plants Folk names: Horsetail, Scrub grass, Cattail
Plant description
The horsetail consists of a rhizome that branches out and lies horizontally in the ground. In early spring, brown spore shoots grow from it and only later are the infertile green stems driven out. They grow up to 30 cm high and carry side branches arranged in whorls.
There are other poisonous horsetail species and the field horsetail should only be collected if you know the poisonous horsetail species themselves! Horsetails are many millions of years old in the history of evolution, they are so named because their individual stem sections are “nested” in each other. Because of its silicic acid content, horsetail was formerly used for cleaning tin (horsetail).
Medicinally used ingredients
The green, infertile stalks are used.
Ingredients
Silicic acid (up to 10%), potassium salts, flavonoids, saponins.
Curative effects and application
Horsetail has a diuretic effect without altering the electrolyte balance and is therefore particularly suitable for flushing therapy for inflammation of the kidneys and the urinary tract. Horsetail is often combined with other diuretic drugs. In addition, a tea made from field horsetail has a soothing effect on rheumatic complaints, chronic coughing and metabolically induced water retention in the legs. The silicic acid content increases the number of white blood cells and thus boosts the body’s own defenses.
Preparation
Two heaped teaspoons of the herb are poured over a large cup of boiling water, leave to infuse for 10 minutes, strain. You can drink 1 cup three times a day.
Combination with other medicinal plants
The following tea mixture is recommended for the flushing therapy for bladder and kidney problems: 20 g each (mixed in equal parts). 2 teaspoons of this mixture are poured over with 1⁄4 l boiling water, let it extract for 15 minutes, strain. Drink 1 cup three times a day.
- Goldenrod
- Nettle
- Bearberry leaves
- Field Horsetail
