Medicinal Benefits of Horsetail

One of the health benefits of horsetail is its action in the processes of tissue regeneration. From botanical standpoint is an original plant. Horsetail is criptogamous and capable of reproducing itself just like ferns.

The spores which aids it reproduction is only found in fertile stem that usually grows in spring. It has a shape like an asparagus. Horsetail contains silicon which is why it is highly valued because this mineral plays an important role in tissue regeneration.

Horsetail Description

Horsetail is a vivacious and an herbaceous plant which can be found in Echisetaceae family. It grows up from 10 cm to 30 cm in height. There are two types of stems it has, the ones that are fertile and reddish in color and has no branches.

At the tips of this kind, a spike with a spore can be seen and they seem to appear first.

The other type are sterile and grow in spring. They are formed by various articulated segments. The parts of the plant used are the type that is sterile and also their branches.

Properties of Horsetail

This medicinal plant is a plant for the skin and as it is, the whole of it is quite rich in minerals of which silicon and potassium are chief. However, horsetail contains a saponin, flavonoids which are responsible for its diuretic properties.

It contains resin and several organic acids. Health Benefits of horsetail are quite enormous in that it is demineralizing, depurative, hemostatic and diuretic. It has the ability to heal wounds when applied externally.

To take advantages of health benefits of horsetail, it is recommended to combine horsetail herbal teas and its external applications.

Indications regarding health benefits of horsetail

The following are the main applications.

1. Skin degenerative processes, the bones and conjunctive tissues
2. Breast flaccidity
3. Winkles of the skin and stretch marks.
4. Arteriosclerosis
5. Osteoporosis
6. Arthrosis
7. Abscesses, eczema, infected wounds etc.
8. Bone breaking, rachitis
9. Edema
10. Hemorrhages

Degenerative processes of the skin, the bones and conjunctive tissues

Research has it that on the role played by silicon in the body, the element is readily present in the skin, cartilages, bones, nails and ligaments. The silicon helps to stimulate the regeneration of elastin fibers and collagen which produce them. It noteworthy that with process of ageing, they lose elasticity and consistence.

Silicon promoting the reconstruction of these tissues is one of the health benefits of horsetail and without it, elastin fibers and collagen synthesis cannot take place.

Again, horsetail is the plant that somewhat rich in organic silicon proportion.

Breast flaccidity

On the breast, when applied as compresses, it helps strengthen and tone up the tissues. This can be improved if a decoction is taken. This also is one of the health benefits of horsetail.

Skin wrinkles and stretch marks

As a result of ageing, weight loss that seems sudden, pregnancy, obesity, muscular tension and so on. It facilitates skin appearance and also promote it smoothness and elasticity especially when taken orally and also applied as compresses.

Arteriosclerosis

One of the causative factors of arteriosclerosis is lack of silicon. Silicon offers preventive effects and helps in regeneration by stimulating elastic fibers regeneration on arterial walls.

Osteoporosis

I made a post on osteoporosis, you can get a detailed information regarding foods to avoid with osteoporosis or foods to help with osteoporosis. Silicon brings about stimulation on osteoblastic and fiberblastic activity. According to mountsinai.org, it is suggested for treating osteoporosis.

These connective tissue cells are responsible for synthesizing collagen fibers and also form the bone matrix.

Arthrosis

Joint cartilage degeneration or arthrosis. The presence of silicon and depurative properties offer great health benefits of horsetail. This is because horsetail is one of the few treatments for back ailment.

Abscesses, infected wounds, conjunctivitis, varicose ulcerations and eczema

When applied as compresses, horsetail offers another health benefits because of its healing properties. Therefore, for the enormous health benefits of horsetail, it is recommended in the cases mentioned above.

Rachitis, decalcification and bone breaking

The presence of silicon helps in easing the assimilation and also fixing of calcium.

Edema

This is the retention of liquid and other at ailments such as kidney stones, gout, urinary infections, excess of uric acid etc. Decoction and also the intake of the fresh juice offers many health benefits of horsetail. Horsetail is quite effectively diuretic and also depurative.

Hemorrhages

Among the health benefits of horsetail is its ability to stop bleeding and this is one of the significant hemostatic effects when taken orally and in local application. In cases of nose bleed, apply a nose plug with a gauze soaked in decoction that is concentrated.

Apply compresses for bleeding hemorrhoids and for excessive menstruation, gastric hemorrhage which may be caused by gastro-duodenal ulcer or bronchial hemorrhages, using horsetail decoction promotes heal bleeding tissues and also halt hemorrhage.

In any of these cases, a doctor has to be consulted.

Preparation and Use of Horsetail

Internal use

1. Fresh juice: This plant’s fresh juice can be taken with every meal. Three spoonful is good enough.
2. Decoction with about 40 – 50 grams of horsetail per liter of water. Allow to boil in low heat for about 12 minutes. Drink three (3) to five (5) cups on a daily.

External Use

1. Nose packing: Use a gauze soaked in the in a decoction that’s somewhat concentrated.
2. Compresses: Apply compresses soaked in a decoction such as the one mentioned above but make it slightly more concentrated. This can be done using about 100 – 150 grams of horsetail per liter of water. The compresses must be applied on the affected region or areas such as anus or breasts.

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