Horsetail Equisetum arvense

Personality: Horsetail is known to gardeners as an exceptionally difficult weed to eradicate. It has tough stems and very deep, strong roots. This herb is rich in silica and other minerals and seems to have a crunchy, almost gritty texture.

Sources: Horsetail can be found over most of Britain, but I have seen it most commonly in Southern England. It often grows in dense patches, making it easy to harvest. It is quite readily available as a dried herb.

Anecdotes: I had a patient who was in the very uncomfortable position of continued bleeding after a prostate operation. He was still in hospital but there was little orthodox treatment for this condition. The doctors waited for the bleeding to stop. It didn’t. At this point I decided that it was time to try Horsetail tea. The next day the bleeding had stopped and did not return. My patient was very relieved. This was genuinely complementary medicine. I couldn’t perform a prostate operation, but the hospital couldn’t deal with the consequences of it. Together we got a good result.

Uses: Inflammation of the urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis etc,), prostate diseases, healing damaged lung tissues following bacterial or viral infections.

Actions: Tissue healer, diuretic, styptic (stems bleeding).

Dosage & Preparations: One heaped teaspoon of dried herb as decoction or infusion, taken two to three times per day.

Safety: Long-term use of Horsetail may cause some irritation of the lining of the intestines. Serious or potentially serious conditions involving the kidneys or prostate need professional intervention. Blood in the urine, difficulty in passing urine and weeping from the end of the urethra all need professional investigation.

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