Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionUsesDosageSide EffectsPrecautionsInteractionsSimilar SupplementsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Uses
Dosage
Side Effects
Precautions
Interactions
Similar Supplements
Sources & What to Look For
Horsetail (Equisetum arvenseorE. arvense) has been used as a medicinal herb to promote hair, nail, and bone health as well as for other health conditions. It’s also thought to help relieve fluid retention (edema), stop bleeding, and heal wounds.
However, horsetail’s safety and efficacy have not undergone enough rigorous research. Unprocessed horsetail containsthiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (B1), which may causethiamine deficiencyover time. Supplements labeled thiaminase-free are suggested.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement,look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietician nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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What Is Horsetail?
Horsetail (Equisetum arvenseorE. arvense) is a perennial herb in the Equisetaceae family of plants.
Perennial means a plant returns every year and usually lives at least two years. Considered a weed, the horsetail plant is invasive and can spread through an area of land quickly, thus making it hard to get rid of once it is in your garden.
The horsetail plant is like a fern. It has hollow, pointed stems and scaly leaves. Horsetail grows to be one to two feet tall. Typically the green fern-like part of the plant (i.e., the aboveground part) is used for medicinal purposes.
Certain components in horsetail are thought to lower inflammation and haveantioxidantproperties. They also might work like “water pills” (diuretics) and increase urination.Horsetail also contains silica and silicon. These minerals work together to help the body make healthy bone tissue and strengthen hair and nails.
Equisetum is derived from the Latin rootequus, meaning “horse,” andseta, meaning “bristle.” Hence, the name horsetail. Horsetail is also called bottlebrush.
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Uses of Horsetail
Horsetail has been studied in treating osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and hair growth.
Promotes Bone Formation
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes softening or thinning of the bone tissue, which can weaken the bones and cause them to break easily. It may occur in people going through menopause due to decreasedestrogenlevels. Fast bone loss occurs in about 25% of postmenopausal women.
Although there is a lack of human clinical study on the effect of horsetail on osteoporosis, one animal study found that the addition ofE. arvenseto the formulated mixture of basic bone mineralizing nutrients containing L-lysine, L-proline, L-arginine, and L-ascorbic acid increases bone formation in rats with ovaries removed, a condition that mimics menopause.However, it’s challenging to determine the effect of horsetail alone.
Furthermore, in an experimental study done in rats, the mandibular (the bone of the lower jaw)bone mineral densityin the 120 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)E. arvensegroup was higher than the control group as seen through radiography (a type of X-ray).
It’s important to highlight that the two studies above were conducted in rats. Not enough is known about the effects it will have in humans. More high-quality studies are needed with humans before further conclusions about the effectiveness of horsetail for osteoporosis may be made.
Decreases Inflammation
A randomized controlled trial of 60 people with rheumatoid arthritis showed that the experimental group (horsetail mixture plus methotrexate and diclofenac sodium) was superior to the control group (methotrexate plus diclofenac sodium). Moreover, the horsetail mixture has decreased TNF-α (inflammatory marker) levels and increased IL-10 levels (anti-inflammatory marker).
The anti-inflammatory effect of horsetail has also been shown in an in vitro (test-tube) study on human primary lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell).
Lowers Blood Pressure
In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial of 58 people with stage 1 hypertension, theE. arvensegroup demonstrated a significant decrease in systolic (the top number) and diastolic (the bottom number) blood pressure comparable to Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide), a diuretic used to treat high blood pressure.
Further studies, including those with more participants, are warranted to determine the clinical potency of horsetail in high blood pressure.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Despite the lack of human clinical study on horsetail’s effect on blood sugar, a study done in drug-induced diabetic rats showed that horsetail extract had a beneficial effect on blood sugar and insulin resistance (when cells stop responding to insulin and can no longer easily take up glucose from your blood). However, further investigation is needed to determine the exact mechanisms behind the effects.
Of note, as the study was conducted in rats, it is unclear if the results can be applied to humans with diabetes.
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Promotes Hair Growth
Horsetail contains silicon, and it is suggested that hair strands with higher silicon content tend to have a lower falling rate and higher brightness. Additionally, silicon is essential for optimal collagen synthesis, improving skin strength and elasticity.
Unproven Uses
Horsetail has been used for other conditions, some of which lack clinical data demonstrating the efficacy of horsetail for these uses, including:
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Dosage: How Much Horsetail Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
Here are some examples of how much horsetail might be used for different conditions. However, talk to your healthcare provider about the benefits and the dosage that’s right for you.
An overdose can occur if you take an amount larger than recommended. For horsetail, the maximum recommended dose is 900 milligrams per day.If you experience irregular heartbeat (due to low potassium level) or symptoms of nicotine overdose (since horsetail contains a small amount of nicotine), you may have taken too much horsetail.
What Are the Side Effects of Horsetail?
Despite its potential uses, horsetail may have side effects. These side effects may be mild or severe.
Common Side Effects
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects may occur when too much horsetail is taken or when horsetail is taken with certain prescription drugs that can worsen such side effects.
Seek medical attention if you experiencepalpitations.
Avoid horsetail if you have an allergy to it or members of the Equisetaceae family. Stop taking horsetail immediately if you experience any signs of allergic reaction.
Horsetail has several known precautions. Exercise caution if any of the situations listed below apply to you.
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If you are taking certain medications or other supplements, horsetail could affect how they work. You should talk with your healthcare provider before using horsetail, especially if you are taking:
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
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Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
The following supplements may have similar effects and properties as horsetail:
Like horsetail, aloe, bitter melon, cinnamon, chromium, prickly pear cactus, and bilberry may also lower blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is best not to combine horsetail with such supplements to prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too low.
Furthermore, since horsetail contains chromium, taking horsetail with chromium-containing supplements such as brewer’s yeast and cascara sagrada can increase the risk of chromium poisoning.
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Sources of Horsetail and What to Look For
Horsetail Supplements
While some horsetail products are labeled “thiaminase-free,” it is unclear what the side effects might be.
Summary
Horsetail is a plant that has been used for thousands of years. Research has shown that horsetail may play a role in promoting bone formation, decreasing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, lowering blood sugar, and promoting hair growth. However, more human studies are needed to clarify the efficacy and safety of horsetail.
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24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Washington State University.Horsetail.
Mount Sinai.Horsetail.
MedlinePlus.Horsetail.
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Arbabzadegan N, Moghadamnia AA, Kazemi S, Nozari F, Moudi E, Haghanifar S.Effect of equisetum arvense extract on bone mineral density in Wistar rats via digital radiography.Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine. 2019;10(2):176-182. doi:10.22088/cjim.10.2.176
Jiang X, Qu Q, Li M, Miao S, Li X, Cai W.Horsetail mixture on rheumatoid arthritis and its regulation on TNF-α and IL-10.Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2014;27(6 Suppl):2019-2023.
Gründemann C, Lengen K, Sauer B, Garcia-Käufer M, Zehl M, Huber R.Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) modulates the function of inflammatory immunocompetent cells. BMCComplementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;14(1). doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-283
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Carneiro DM, Freire RC, Honório TC de D, et al.Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial to Assess the Acute Diuretic Effect ofEquisetum arvense(Field Horsetail) in Healthy Volunteers.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;2014:1-8. doi:10.1155/2014/760683
Boeing T, Tafarelo Moreno KG, Gasparotto Junior A, Mota da Silva L, de Souza P.Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of the Genus Equisetum (Equisetaceae): A Narrative Review of the Species with Therapeutic Potential for Kidney Diseases. Granica S, ed.Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2021;2021:1-17. doi:10.1155/2021/6658434
Devaraj S, Yimam M, Brownell LA, Jialal I, Singh S, Jia Q.Effects of Aloe vera Supplementation in Subjects with Prediabetes/Metabolic Syndrome.Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders. 2013;11(1):35-40. doi:10.1089/met.2012.0066
Kim SK, Jung J, Jung JH, et al.Hypoglycemic efficacy and safety of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2020;52:102524. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102524
Zare R, Nadjarzadeh A, Zarshenas MM, Shams M, Heydari M.Efficacy of cinnamon in patients with type II diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled clinical trial.Clinical Nutrition. 2019;38(2):549-556. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2018.03.003
Farrokhian A, Mahmoodian M, Bahmani F, Amirani E, Shafabakhsh R, Asemi Z.The Influences of Chromium Supplementation on Metabolic Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Coronary Heart Disease.Biological Trace Element Research. 2019;194(2):313-320. doi:10.1007/s12011-019-01783-7
Gouws CA, Georgousopoulou EN, Mellor DD, McKune A, Naumovski N.Effects of the Consumption of Prickly Pear Cacti (Opuntia spp.) and its Products on Blood Glucose Levels and Insulin: A Systematic Review.Medicina. 2019;55(5):138. doi:10.3390/medicina55050138
de Mello VD, Lankinen MA, Lindström J, et al.Fasting serum hippuric acid is elevated after bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) consumption and associates with improvement of fasting glucose levels and insulin secretion in persons at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2017;61(9):1700019. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201700019
Yin RV, Phung OJ.Effect of chromium supplementation on glycated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose in patients with diabetes mellitus.Nutrition Journal. 2015;14(1). doi:10.1186/1475-2891-14-14
MedlinePlus.Cascara Sagrada.
Sripanyakorn S, Jugdaohsingh R, Dissayabutr W, Anderson SH, Thompson RP, Powell JJ.The comparative absorption of silicon from different foods and food supplements.Br J Nutr. 2009;102(6):825–834. doi:10.1017/S0007114509311757Swati D. Kotwal and Smita R. Badole, S.R.., Kotwal, S.D.Anabolic therapy with Equisetum arvense along with bone mineralising nutrients in ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis.Indian Journal of Pharmacology; 2016; 48 (3): 312–315. doi:10.4103/0253-7613.182880.U.S. National Library of Medicine: Daily Med.EQUISETUM ARVENSE- equisetum arvense top pellet.
Sripanyakorn S, Jugdaohsingh R, Dissayabutr W, Anderson SH, Thompson RP, Powell JJ.The comparative absorption of silicon from different foods and food supplements.Br J Nutr. 2009;102(6):825–834. doi:10.1017/S0007114509311757
Swati D. Kotwal and Smita R. Badole, S.R.., Kotwal, S.D.Anabolic therapy with Equisetum arvense along with bone mineralising nutrients in ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis.Indian Journal of Pharmacology; 2016; 48 (3): 312–315. doi:10.4103/0253-7613.182880.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Daily Med.EQUISETUM ARVENSE- equisetum arvense top pellet.
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