Horsetail Tea: 10 Benefits and When to Drink It

Do you know the properties of horsetail infusion? It is one of the plants with more medicinal properties that you can find in the herbalist's shop. Taking horsetail infusion ends, among many other problems, with fluid retention, kidney stones or bladder and urinary disorders.

In this article we tell you what are the 10 main benefits of horsetail for your health and dispel doubts and myths about when it is best to take this infusion.

Horsetail: properties and benefits for your health

The use of this plant is becoming more and more common, and it is very easy to find in supermarkets and supermarkets. The list of symptoms, pains and pathologies that horsetail infusion is able to alleviate is very extensive and at the same time, still unknown to many. Therefore, we have prepared a list that will help you to know all the benefits and properties of horsetail infusion:

    1. Great diuretic and depurative power: they are an ideal complement in diets in which it is intended to cleanse the body, end fluid retention or lose weight. Horsetail infusion is an excellent ally to end fluid retention problems and the elimination of toxins from the liver or kidney. Thanks to its silicon content, horsetail infusions reduce the concentration of aluminum in these organs, which can affect the central nervous system causing delirium and neurological problems. This cleansing effect is enhanced when combined with a balanced diet - if you're interested in delving deeper into how nutrition affects digestive health and body function, the complete guide to digestive health and nutrition provides a detailed framework for understanding that connection.

    1. Cellular regeneration and empowerment: Its significant concentration of silicon makes it one of the best resources we can find for repairing damaged tissues.

    1. Relieves symptoms of cystitis, urethritis, nephritis and other genitourinary conditions: thanks to its diuretic properties, horsetail infusion helps prevent the formation of kidney stones.

    1. Effective anti-inflammatory in cases of osteoarthritis, gout and arthritis: its great detoxifying power makes it a safe and effective ingredient to eliminate rheumatic problems and excess uric acid.

    1. Helps lower blood pressure: taking horsetail infusions can help people suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure, since thanks to its medicinal properties, it helps reduce blood pressure.

    1. Healing properties: this plant also helps externally. You can use it on wounds, urticaria sores or burns, or even to cut nosebleeds. Horsetail contains soothing properties that also help relieve discomfort in these cases.

    1. Reduces heavy menstruation and diarrhea: internally, horsetail infusion helps to reduce heavy menstruation or menstruation that lasts more days than it does naturally. It can also put an end to seasonal diarrhea.

    1. Cell regeneration: silicon is one of the most important minerals that our body needs to promote cell regeneration. Although horsetail contains silicon, depending on the needs we can find it in higher concentrations in supplements such as Silicium G7 Siliplant Dynamized. Silicon helps to maintain collagen and our cellular tissues always in perfect condition. Horsetail helps to repair damaged and dry skin and to say goodbye to annoying juvenile acne.

    1. Relieves mouth ulcers and canker sores: thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it treats canker sores and mouth sores that form around the tongue and gums.

    1. Helps strengthen bone tissue: Horsetail can be used to help repair bone tissue that may have been damaged by sports. It is a perfect ally to relieve symptoms caused by sprains, tendinitis or tears.

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What are the effects of horsetail?

Another of the properties of horsetail infusion has been traditionally used for various therapeutic purposes. What health conditions does its consumption help?

    • Diuretic: it helps eliminate excess fluid from the body by increasing urine production. One study examined the use of horsetail by people with a history of uric acid kidney stones. People taking horsetail experienced increased diuresis (urine production).

    • Antioxidant: Other studies suggest that horsetail has antioxidant properties and may inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

    • Osteoporosis: Horsetail has been suggested as a treatment for osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) because it contains silicon, a mineral necessary for bone health . In one study, 122 Italian women took dried horsetail extract and calcium (270 mg twice daily). The group that took horsetail experienced better bone density.

Does horsetail make you sleepy: myth or reality?

The statement "horsetail makes you sleepy" is "a myth". What happens is that being a diuretic, if you take it at night, you will probably have more urge to urinate. This will cause you to wake up more times during the night.

What happens if I take horsetail at night?

There is nothing wrong if you take horsetail infusion at night. Many people do it, it is very good for them and they get very good results. Try it to see what your case is.

The only thing that may happen is that you feel the urge to urinate more frequently at night. In that case, take the infusion during the day.

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What is the best time to take horsetail?

It is best to take the horsetail infusion between meals. For example:

    • Between breakfast and lunch.

    • After lunch or in the afternoon.

How to take horsetail?

Children

Because horsetail contains traces of nicotine, it is not recommended for young children.

Adults

    • Capsule: a standardized dose containing 10 to 15% silicon is recommended.

How many horsetail infusions should I take per day?

    • Horsetail infusion: 2-3 cups a day, preferably between meals. Pour hot water over the herb and let it steep for 5-10 minutes.

There are supplements such as Silicium G7 Siliplant Dynamized, a unique formula of organic silicon with horsetail extract and rosemary.

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Horsetail: contraindications

As you have seen, horsetail infusions provide very beneficial properties for our health. This plant is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that can help you improve your quality of life and your daily life. However, we must be careful with the amount of infusions we consume daily, as we have explained in the previous section.

It is important that you know the precautions to take into account when taking horsetail infusions:

    • Pregnancy and lactation: horsetail is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation. There is no evidence to ensure that it is a safe plant for children.

    • Low potassium levels: being a plant that contains diuretic properties, its intake is not recommended for people with low blood potassium(hypokalemia). Horsetail could increase the elimination of potassium in the body through urine.

    • Heart problems: it is also not recommended to take these infusions if you suffer from heart problems, as it could alter blood pressure.

    • Deficiency of vitamin B1: thiamine or vitamin B1 is responsible for converting food into energy. Therefore, it is a very important element for the growth of our body cells. In cases of thiamine deficiency, horsetail could make it worse.

 



Dra. Maria del Mar Sabaté Martínez
Written by Dra. Maria del Mar Sabaté Martínez

PhD URV 2006, Departament de Bioquímica i Biotecnologia Tesis: Estudi fisiopatològic de l'acció d'anticossos IgM anti-GM2 d'un pacient sobre la unió neuromuscular Afiliación actual: URV, Departament de Ciències Mèdiques Bàsiques

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