Horsetail medicinal properties and contraindications description. Healing horsetail: a relic medicine with a modern twist

Many people know what horsetail grass is. The medicinal properties of the plant have been studied for a long time. Horsetail is a perennial. The plant grows approximately 60 centimeters in height. Horsetail is distributed throughout almost the entire territory of the CIS countries. The exceptions in this case are the desert and the Far North. Translated from Latin, the name of this plant is translated as “horse tail”.

Is horsetail poisonous?

Many people have probably heard that horsetail is poisonous. Therefore, most people argue that alternative medicine should be used carefully, as it can greatly harm your health. Actually this is not true. Horsetail, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are already known, is harmless when used wisely. The same cannot be said about other varieties of this plant. And, as you know, there are a lot of them.

How to distinguish horsetail?

The main feature of this plant is its branches pointing upward. In other horsetails they are directed downward or located horizontally. In addition, the spikelets of this plant completely die off. And only after that the green part grows in their place. Young shoots are medicinal raw materials. As for other varieties of horsetail, the spore spikes do not die off and are located at the tip of the green part of the plant. They are clearly visible even to the naked eye. If you don’t know exactly what a plant looks like, then after collecting it you should contact specialists in this field so that they can protect you from mistakes.

Initial use

The medicinal properties of horsetail were not immediately discovered. Initially, this plant was used exclusively for economic purposes. A decoction of its roots was used to dye wool. As for the herb, it was commonly used for grinding stones, polishing metal products, and also for cleaning common kitchen utensils and pewter. It is worth noting that with the help of this plant even old wooden floors were washed white.

The whole secret lies in the chemical composition of horsetail. It contains silicic acid. It was this substance that attracted the attention of herbalists and healers. As a result, horsetail became useful not only in agriculture, but also in medicine.

Chemical composition

Horsetail herb, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which will be described below, has a simply unique chemical composition. The green part of the plant contains a huge amount of microelements. Among them are zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium and others.

In addition, the chemical composition of horsetail contains various organic acids. Among them are apple, silicon, aconite, oxalic, linoleic. Horsetail also contains vitamin C, carotene, proteins, tannins and flavonoids.

Horsetail: medicinal properties

Reviews about this plant indicate that preparations based on it are excellent in helping to cope with many ailments. How is it useful? So, horsetail extracts silicic acid from the soil and then deposits it in cell membranes. This substance is highly soluble in water. It is worth noting that silicic acid is one of the constituent parts of the human body. And to be more precise - nails, hair, skin and connective tissues. Over time, people learned to prepare preparations based on horsetail, which can significantly improve their appearance.

5-glycoside luteolin can be isolated from the green part of the plant. This substance allows you to stop any inflammatory process in the body. In addition, thanks to this component, you can stop the bleeding and heal the wound much faster. The herb has a disinfectant and antiseptic effect. Preparations based on horsetail are effective for external and internal bleeding.

It is worth noting that various decoctions and infusions intended for oral administration act as diuretics. This is the result of a combination of saponin and flavonoids that horsetail contains. The medicinal properties and contraindications, reviews of which reveal the effectiveness of plant-based drugs, are determined by the chemical composition. And it, apparently, is quite rich in useful components.

Treatment with horsetail

The medicinal plant practically does not need recommendations. Its benefits are obvious to many. After all, preparations based on horsetail can get rid of quite serious ailments. Among such diseases are atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain and heart, as well as tumors in the intestines and, of course, in the stomach.

The medicinal properties of horsetail do not end there. This plant, or rather preparations based on it, has a cardiotonic and restorative effect. It is worth noting that in traditional and, as a rule, folk medicine, the herb is often used as an anti-inflammatory and diuretic for diseases of the bladder and kidneys. Infusion and decoction of this plant have the same effect as kidney tea. The drugs allow you to remove excess fluid from the body without affecting its salt composition. When taking such drugs, an improvement in metabolism is observed, swelling resulting from a fracture, bruise, or frostbite is significantly reduced. But that's not all. Preparations based on horsetail can even eliminate cardiac edema.

The extract of this plant allows you to increase filtration in the glomeruli, as well as prevent the formation of stones and increase the elasticity of connective tissues. It is worth noting that this drug activates all metabolic processes in nails and hair. Experiments have proven that horsetail helps cleanse the body of toxins, cholesterol and waste, in particular lead.

Horsetail, whose healing properties for hair are obvious, helps to cope with seborrhea, and is also effective for ulcers, fistulas and wounds on the skin.

When should horsetail be harvested?

Any plant is most useful at a certain period. Thus, horsetail, the medicinal properties and contraindications of which are not known to everyone, is best harvested from June to August. You only need to collect the green stems, and then quickly dry them, of course, in the shade. It is best to do this in a well-ventilated room, for example, under a canopy or in the attic. Young shoots should be spread thin layer. Do not place wet horsetail in large piles. With slow drying, the raw materials darken and begin to lose their healing qualities. Properly dried horsetail consists of stems 20-30 centimeters long. At the same time, the raw material has a grayish-green tint, a weak aroma and a sour taste. As for storage, horsetail should be kept in paper or linen bags for no longer than 4 years.

Horsetail infusion for oral administration

To prepare this medicine, you need to brew 20 grams of horsetail with 200 milliliters of boiling water and leave for an hour. After this, the finished preparation should be strained. Take this remedy 1-2 tablespoons, preferably 3-4 times a day. A properly prepared horsetail infusion is effective for hypertension, atherosclerosis, gynecological diseases, liver-related ailments, inflammatory processes in the bladder, edema of cardiac origin, as well as urolithiasis.

The medicinal properties of horsetail, or rather an infusion based on the plant, allow you to get rid of ulcers, festering and long-term non-healing wounds, bedsores, porous skin, eczema, boils. It is enough to wash or wipe the affected area with the drug. Compresses with horsetail infusion can be applied to joints for pleurisy, rheumatism and gout. You can gargle for sore throat and other inflammatory processes.

Cautions and contraindications

Despite the fact that the medicinal properties of horsetail allow you to cope with many ailments, this plant has contraindications. Preparations based on this herb are strictly prohibited for those who have hypersensitivity to products containing iodine. Also, experts do not recommend using decoctions and infusions of horsetail for stomach ulcers, neuroses and tuberculosis.

In addition, preparations based on this plant are contraindicated in nursing and pregnant women, as well as those who suffer from chronic kidney disease. The use of such drugs can cause complications. Therefore, you should not self-medicate. Before taking any drug based on horsetail, you should consult with specialists.

Externally, the above-ground part of the horsetail looks like a fluffy Christmas tree, because of this, the plant has received various names among the people - field herringbone, pine tree, cat's or horse's tail, pusher, "pig's tail", shoot, earthen cone, panicle, needle, honeydew. And due to the fact that in the Middle Ages, expensive pewter utensils were polished with tough shoots of horsetail, the plant also received the name tin grass. Here is the description of horsetail that I found in one of the herbalists:

This is a perennial herbaceous plant, part of the Horsetail family. Outwardly, it looks like a soft-to-the-touch Christmas tree with a cone at the top. The height of an adult horsetail can reach 40-50 cm, and the function of the root is performed by a long rhizome branching in all directions and in depth with vegetative nodules, where nutrients for future greenery accumulate.

2 bushes of horsetail
Horsetail reproduces by spores, therefore, like other spore-bearing plants, it has two types of above-ground shoots - generative (where the spores ripen) and vegetative (the same green Christmas tree that we all know). How they look, look at the photo just above.

According to information from herbalists, spring vegetative shoots should be collected for medicine, because they contain the highest concentration of useful substances. But personally, I think that June horsetail is no worse than spring horsetail; in Bryansk it is collected in May - June, when the thickets of fir trees are the thickest and softest. To do this, they are cut with a sharp knife or sickle, retreating 5-10 cm from the surface of the earth. The resulting raw materials are dried either in a well-ventilated area or in the shade in the open air. In this case, the branches can either be spread in a thin layer on a horizontal surface, or tied into small sheaves and hung at some distance from each other. A sign of complete drying is the fragility of the side shoots, and the shelf life of such raw materials is two years.

Pusher drying

Attention, when collecting pine yourself, you need to know how to distinguish horsetail from poisonous plants of the same species.

Indeed, in nature there are about 30 varieties of horsetails, where the most popular are:

• River horsetail;
• Horsetail;
• Horsetail;
• Horsetail;
• Horsetail overwintering;
• Horsetail;
• Variegated horsetail;
• Branched horsetail.

However, it is the field horse’s tail that is used for medicinal purposes, therefore, if you do not have clear knowledge and skills in collecting this plant, it is better to buy it at the pharmacy. It is quite inexpensive, 100-150 rubles for an 80 gram bag, but it will bring benefits and confidence worth a million. If you want to understand in detail the species differences between horsetails, then a good description with visual illustrations can be found on the page, and now let’s figure out why the field pusher is so valuable for our health.

And it is valuable for its unique composition. After all, the green needle-shaped leaves of the pine tree contain such useful things as:

• Carbohydrates (galactose, pectin, mannose, glucose, arabinose, xylose);
• Resins;
• saponins (equisetonin, etc.);
• Carotene;
• Vitamins C, D, E, A;
• Mineral salts - (iron, copper, zinc, magnesium and calcium);
• Tannins - (tannin, pyrocahetin, phenol), which are astringent compounds;
• Silicic acid salts;
• Flavonoids (kaempferol-3-sophorazide, 5-glucoside-luteolin, quercetin-3-glycoside, apigenin-5-glycoside, saponaretin, dihydroquercetin and others);
• Alkaloids (nicotine, trimethoxypyridine, equisetin, dimethylsulfone);
• Organic acids (nicotinic, malic, quinic, aconitic, oxalic, fumaric, gluconic);
• Phenolcarboxylic acids (vanillic, gallic, protocatechuic, ferulic, caffeic),
• Fatty oil (contains campesterol, β-sitosterol, isofucosterol);
• Bitterness.

This composition was identified as a result of comprehensive research and experiments conducted on the study of the green mass of horsetail in the middle of the 20th century by Russian and foreign scientists. These studies revealed that:

• The diuretic (diuretic) capabilities of the cat's tail are several times stronger than any renal preparations;
• Substances found in the plant promote rapid tissue restoration during inflammation and tuberculosis lesions, improve the exchange between proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and enhance the production of adrenal hormones;
• The alkaloids and antioxidants present in horsetail strengthen the body's defenses, helping it fight various types of infections and even cancer cells;
• The organic acids, salts of chemical elements and silicon contained in the pusher make medicines based on this plant capable of fighting stone formation in the kidneys and gall bladder, fluid stagnation in the lungs and soft tissues, bad cholesterol in the blood vessels and the loss of calcium from bones and teeth.

In the course of the above-mentioned experiments and studies, doctors found that pine grass has the following medicinal properties:

• Antimicrobial;
• Hemostatic;
• Antihelminthic;
• Diuretic;
• Antispasmodic;
• Knitting;
• Expectorant;
• Antiseptic;
• General strengthening;
• Wound healing.

All this allows you to successfully use decoctions, infusions, tinctures and pharmaceutical forms of horsetail in the treatment of diseases such as:

• Heart and vascular diseases - coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, acute and chronic cardiac and pulmonary heart failure, hypertension, congenital and acquired heart defects:
• Gastrointestinal ailments - duodenal ulcer, cholecystitis and chronic cholangiocholecystitis, pancreatitis and cholelithiasis;
• Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system: radiculitis, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, bone fractures;
• Inflammatory processes of the oral cavity - periodontal disease, gingivitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis;
• Respiratory diseases - catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, pleurisy with a large amount of exudate;
• metabolic pathologies (gout, mild and moderate forms of diabetes), excess body weight;
• urinary tract diseases: cystitis, pyelitis, urethritis, urolithiasis (urolithiasis);
• external chronic sluggish purulent wounds, ulcers, as well as abscesses, lichen, boils, eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, dermatitis;
• dandruff, seborrhea of ​​the scalp, hyperkeratosis, baldness;
• Fungal infections, especially those that come to us from pets, dogs and cats.

In addition, horsetail herb and preparations based on it are used for uterine, nasal and hemorrhoidal bleeding, as well as for metrorrhagia in women. By the way, what other means besides horsetail are suitable for this, you can read by following the link.

Decoctions from the pusher are used to cleanse the body of lead deposits in case of poisoning with this element. Medicines from the pusher are also often prescribed to the elderly to strengthen bone tissue and the body’s defenses, and to children as an aid in the conservative treatment of adenoids. Below I will talk about all this in more detail and give corresponding examples of recipes, but now let's see if horsetail has field contraindications, and, if so, what they are.

Contraindications and side effects of herb herb

Despite the fact that the horsetail herb is endowed with many medicinal properties, it, like other medicinal plants, also has a list of contraindications. Here are the diseases and conditions for which it is categorically undesirable to use drugs on this plant:

1. Acute nephritis and nephrosis, since the diuretic power of the plant will force diseased kidneys to work with increased load, which will only intensify the painful process.
2. Excessive internal bleeding and uterine bleeding caused by infections, because the first requires immediate emergency interventions, and the second requires a comprehensive elimination of the underlying cause; a cat’s tail alone will not do.
3. Individual intolerance to any components of the plant.
4. Pregnancy, because both pharmacy and home remedies on horsetail contribute to contraction of the muscles of the uterus, which can lead to miscarriage.
5. Lactation period
6. Children under 3 years of age.

In addition, the use of horsetail can cause a number of side effects. Firstly, this plant contains the enzyme thiaminase, which breaks down vitamin B1 (thiamine). If you use decoctions or pharmaceutical products from this plant for more than three months, there is a high probability of developing hypovitaminosis B1 and the occurrence of associated symptoms - nervous exhaustion, heart and gastrointestinal problems, and in severe cases, the development of Beriberi disease. To prevent this from happening, vitamin B1 should also be taken along with taking medications or home remedies based on cauda equina.

Secondly, due to the fact that under the influence of horsetail on the adrenal glands, they increase the production of the hormone aldosterone, which promotes the excretion of potassium from the body. If the adrenal glands are already working actively, then exposure to them with drugs from horsetail can lead to increased release of potassium from the blood into the urine and, as a result, to the development of hypokalemia. First of all, this will affect the cardiovascular system in the form of high blood pressure, headaches, weakness and fatigue. To prevent this unpleasant situation from happening to you, take potassium supplements together with pharmacy or home medicines on the described plant, and do not drink horsetail itself for more than 1 month.

Thirdly, all, both home and pharmacy, drugs and potions on horsetail are categorically incompatible with lithium preparations (Lithium carbonate, micalite, lithium hydroxybutyrate, Litonite), which are used in the treatment of mania or manic depression - a condition when a person’s mood changes sharply from euphoria to depression. When combining such drugs with drugs on the field herringbone, there is a high risk of side effects such as diarrhea, drowsiness, loss of appetite, muscle weakness, nausea or vomiting, difficulty speaking, tremors of the limbs, and in severe cases, confusion, blurred vision, convulsions, excessive urination.

As you can see, despite its enormous usefulness, the sucker requires careful and attentive handling. Before starting to use this herb, it is imperative to consult with at least a local physician, who will recommend the form of the medicine and select an individual dosage. And remember, although horsetail is a medicinal plant, it is essentially a poisonous herb and should not be taken for more than 2-3 months in a row.

Personally, I think that one month is enough. And to add to all that has been said, watch this video:

Well, friends, haven’t I scared you too much yet? Then let’s go find out why our ponytail is good for the health of women and men, and whether it can be consumed by children.

This perennial herbaceous spore plant grows almost everywhere in Russia. More often it is found in ravines, along the banks of rivers and streams, in meadows, in coniferous and mixed forests. For preventive and medicinal purposes, grass and stems rich in organic acids, vitamins, essential oils, tannins and minerals have long been used.

Useful properties of horsetail

Horsetail has many beneficial substances. Suffice it to say that plant preparations have anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, hemostatic, wound-healing, astringent and other beneficial properties for health. In complex therapy, horsetail is prescribed for pleurisy, edema, kidney stones and cholelithiasis, inflammatory processes of the urinary tract, hemorrhoidal bleeding, and jaundice.

A pinch of horsetail

Horsetail herb is effectively used by modern medicine to treat eyes, some liver diseases, in the early stages of young people, and chronic lead poisoning in hazardous industries. And also for Addison's disease, rheumatism, gout, tumors (of various etiologies) of the stomach and intestines. Herbal infusion of horsetail also helps with excessive sweating of the feet.

Experience of traditional medicine on the use of horsetail

Since ancient times, domestic healers have effectively used horsetail herb for the prevention and treatment of migraines, anemia, cardiac dropsy, bronchitis, asthma, and consumption. In traditional medicine, infusions and decoctions of the plant are also successfully used today for whooping cough, liver and bladder diseases, intestinal ulcers, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, and some skin diseases.

Uses of horsetail internally and externally

Pharmacy and home infusions, decoctions, teas, extracts, ointments and powders based on horsetail herb today help with a whole range of ailments. In particular, it is recommended to use horsetail preparations for edema of cardiac and renal origin, diseases of the urinary organs, kidney stones, chronic ulcers, fistulas, lesions of the oral mucosa (stomatitis, etc.). Horsetail herb is also useful in the process of drug treatment of bronchitis, hypertension, atherosclerosis, gout, rheumatism, furunculosis and seborrhea.

Any preparations of horsetail are contraindicated for tuberculosis, long-term non-healing wounds and ulcers and kidney diseases (nephritis), since silicic acid and other substances in the plant have a strong irritant effect and can cause complications.

What diseases does horsetail treat?

Cardiac dropsy. Infuse 30 g of crushed herb as tea or boil for 20-30 minutes in 400 ml of water. Take the strained infusion 0.3 cups throughout the day until you feel better.

Kidney stone disease. To avoid attacks, take a sitz bath every evening, adding 4 tbsp to 1 liter of water. spoons of horsetail herb.

Hypertension. You will need the following collection: horsetail grass - 40.0, hawthorn flowers - 10.0, mistletoe leaves - 10.0. One tbsp. Brew a spoonful of the crushed collection in 1 cup of boiling water, leave until cool, strain and take 70 ml three times a day.

Bladder pain. One tbsp. Boil a spoonful of horsetail herb in 200 ml of water for half an hour. Take 1 glass of the strained broth in the morning (on an empty stomach) and in the evening.

Diuretic. One tbsp. Infuse a spoonful of crushed horsetail herb in 1 glass of boiling water until cooled, strain, and take 3 doses throughout the day as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Cystitis. Prepare a collection of 100 g of horsetail herb, 100 g of bearberry leaves, 60 g of downy birch buds. 3 tbsp. spoons of the mixture pour 0.5 liters of boiling water into a thermos, leave for 10 hours. Take the strained infusion: 1 warm 150 ml 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals during exacerbation of cystitis.

Horsetail is an unpretentious plant that can be found literally everywhere, just go out into a field or meadow. It is distinguished from other plants by its appearance, which resembles the shoot of a young pine. For this feature, horsetail is popularly called “horse tail”, “pusher” or “field tree”.

Along with fern, horsetail is one of the oldest plants on Earth, which has been repeatedly confirmed by archaeological excavations. Moreover, modern horsetails are very reminiscent of their prehistoric ancestors, with the only difference being that horsetails used to have gigantic sizes, and modern plants do not exceed 50 cm in height.

Today, scientists count more than 20 species of horsetail, of which the field horsetail is the most valuable. This plant is considered medicinal, because according to historical information, Avicenna used horsetail in medical practice, using it to treat tumors, ulcers and bloody diarrhea.

Let's take a closer look at this extraordinary plant, and at the same time find out what potential horsetail has and how this herb helps maintain health.

Chemical composition of horsetail

To appreciate the potential of this plant, just look at its valuable composition. It includes:

• vitamins: A, C, D, E, K, as well as B vitamins;
• minerals: iron, zinc, copper and phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium;
• carbohydrates: pectins, galactose, glucose, arabinose, mannose;
• alkaloids: equisetin, nicotine and trimethoxypyridine;
• flavonoids: kaempferol, quercetin, glucoside;
• tannins: phenol, tannin and other astringents;
• organic acids: malic, nicotinic, quinic, oxalic, aconitic and gluconic acid;
• phenolcarboxylic acids: gallic, vanillic, caffeic, ferulic and protocatechinic acid;
• fatty oils: sitosterol, campesterol, isofucosterol;
• silicic acid salts;
• saponins (equisetonin, etc.);
• carotene;
• bitterness;
• resin.

Medicinal properties of horsetail

Comprehensive studies of this field plant and numerous experiments have revealed 4 key medicinal properties of horsetail:

Diuretic property

Practice shows that the diuretic properties of this plant are many times superior to any kidney preparations, as well as many medications (including Orthosiphon kidney tea and the diuretic drug Diuretin). This feature allows a person taking medicines based on horsetail to fight genitourinary diseases and prevent the formation of stones in the bladder.

Choleretic property

Thanks to the presence of organic acids, as well as silicic acid salts, field fir activates the outflow of bile, helping to fight congestion and prevent the formation of gallstones. Moreover, horsetail prevents fluid stagnation in the lungs and soft tissues, reduces cholesterol levels in the blood and fights the leaching of calcium from the skeletal system.

General strengthening property

Regenerative property

Horsetail supplies the body with a variety of valuable vitamins and mineral compounds that actively restore the body of a person who has undergone a serious operation, has suffered from vitamin deficiency, or has been ill for a long time. The pusher improves metabolic processes in the body, enhances the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates, and therefore promotes the speedy healing of wounds.

In addition to those listed, the ponytail has other properties, in particular:

• antimicrobial;
• expectorant;
• astringent;
• hemostatic;
• anthelmintic;
• antispasmodic;
• antiseptic.

Diseases that horsetail treats

Considering the listed properties of horsetail, this plant is used for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases:

• Pathologies of the heart and blood vessels (atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, hypertension, chronic cardiac and cardiopulmonary failure, as well as heart defects).
• Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis, arthrosis and radiculitis, bone fractures, osteochondrosis and osteoporosis).
• Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastritis, cholecystitis and cholangitis, cholelithiasis and pancreatitis).
• Respiratory diseases (chronic bronchitis and tonsillitis, bronchial asthma, as well as pleurisy with a large accumulation of exudate).
• Diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease).
• Pathologies of the urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis, and urolithiasis).
• Metabolic problems (obesity, diabetes, gout).
• Skin pathologies (ulcers, purulent and non-healing wounds, psoriasis and eczema, dermatitis and neurodermatitis, furunculosis, seborrhea and hyperkeratosis).

Procurement of raw materials

Horsetail can be purchased at a pharmacy. Such raw materials are sold in transparent bags of 100 and 150 g of dried herbs. However, you can always make your own ponytail by collecting the horsetail stems and then drying them outdoors in the shade or in a well-ventilated room. The shelf life of dried horsetail is 4 years.

The benefits of horsetail for women

The ability of the plant in question to stop blood, as well as its extraordinary diuretic abilities, have found their application in the treatment of diseases of the female genital area. In this regard, the field tree helps with heavy and prolonged menstrual flow, with irregular cycles and uterine fibroids. Moreover, this medicinal plant perfectly cleanses and heals the skin, improves hair condition and even helps in weight loss.

The benefits of horsetail for men

For the strong half of humanity, this remedy is prescribed in cases where it is necessary to activate protein metabolism and thereby build muscle mass, as well as heal wounds and cuts. But more importantly, horsetail-based products stimulate the adrenal glands and increase testosterone production, which allows you to maintain your virility and fight impotence.

Folk recipes with horsetail

Cystitis

To treat this inflammatory disease, place 20 g of field Christmas tree in a jar, pour in 100 ml of vodka, close the vessel and infuse the mixture for a week. Take the finished product, 20 drops 3 times a day before meals.

For those who are not suitable for tincture, we can recommend a water solution. To prepare it, pour 50 g of medicinal herb into 600 ml of water, place on fire and boil for 30 minutes over low heat. Let the broth cool, strain it and take half a glass 3-4 times a day.

Stones in the kidneys

Modern pharmacology produces drugs for removing kidney stones based on horsetail. These are medications such as Phytolysin, Cyston and Canephron.

As an alternative to medications, you can also offer an effective folk remedy. 1 tsp pour 200 ml of water into the pusher and cook the product over low heat for 5 minutes. Strain the finished broth and drink the entire volume in the morning, before meals. The course of therapy is 2-3 months.

Strengthening the immune system

To strengthen the body's defenses, it is worth using a decoction of horsetail. To prepare it, 2 tbsp. crushed raw materials, pour 0.5 liters of water and send the mixture to the fire. Simmer it over low heat for 15 minutes, then remove from the stove and let cool. After straining the warm infusion, you can take half a glass of it in the morning and evening. Duration of therapy is 1-2 months.

Improved testosterone production

To improve testosterone synthesis and thereby strengthen male power, use horsetail tincture. It is prepared simply: fill a half-liter jar with fresh horsetail, fill it up to the neck with vodka, close the lid and place in a dark place for 3 weeks. Don't forget to shake the tincture periodically. When the time is right, strain the product and you can begin treatment.

To strengthen male power, take 1 tablespoon of horsetail tincture every morning. before meals. Duration of therapy is 2-3 months. In addition, this product will strengthen the immune system, improve protein metabolism, and if you wipe the skin with it, it will remove pimples, blackheads, acne and seborrhea.

Long and heavy periods

Take 3 tbsp. crushed raw materials, fill it with 2 glasses of water and bring to a boil. Remove the product from the heat, close the lid, wrap it in a warm cloth and leave for 30 minutes. From the beginning to the end of menstrual flow, take 1 tbsp of the prepared decoction. every 2 hours. Treatment duration is 3 menstrual cycles.

Irregular periods

2 tbsp. crushed pusher, pour 300 ml of water, and, bringing to a boil, keep on fire for 1 minute, then remove and wrap in warm clothes. After 20 minutes, the product must be filtered and the finished medicine should be drunk during the day, dividing it into several equal parts.

By the way, this decoction is suitable for treating uterine fibroids. Only for this disease, you should drink 1/4 glass up to four times a day for 2 months.

Furunculosis, acne and purulent wounds

Pour 5 tbsp with two glasses of water. horse tail and put the mixture on the fire. Boil the product for 15 minutes, and then let the broth cool and saturate for 30 minutes. Strain the finished medicine and you can use it for its intended purpose, that is, soak a cotton swab in it and wipe the affected skin daily 4-6 times a day.

In case of purulent wounds, it is more effective to use compresses. To do this, gauze soaked in horsetail decoction should be applied to the wounds for 30 minutes, 2-3 times a day.

Acne and pimples

To combat acne, grind horsetail greens into powder, then mix 1 tsp. powder with 4 tsp. Vaseline or butter, and lubricate acne or pimples with this mixture once a day.

Warts

It seems surprising, but horsetail can even cope with warts. To do this, boil 2 tbsp. field Christmas tree in 200 ml of water for 15 minutes. After cooling and straining the product, apply gauze compresses with this decoction to the wart in the mornings and evenings for 1 hour. After about a month, the wart will disappear.

Skin rejuvenation

If your skin begins to dull, wither and lose its former elasticity, try to improve its tone with the help of special baths. To do this, pour 4 cups of chopped horsetail with 4 liters of water and boil this mixture over low heat for 20 minutes. Filter the finished product and pour it into a filled bath. Take a bath for 15–20 minutes twice a week for 2 months. At the end of the rejuvenation course, you will be surprised at how your skin has transformed.

Hair strengthening

To strengthen your hair and prevent hair loss, use pusher juice. To do this, collect fresh horsetail, rinse it, let it dry, and then put it through a juicer. Apply the finished juice to the scalp, while massaging the hair roots. In addition, soak a comb in horsetail juice and comb your hair, distributing the healing liquid along the entire length of the strands. Carry out the procedures 2 times a week and after 1.5–2 months you will notice that your hair has become voluminous and does not fall out as before.

Hair saturation

If you need to revitalize and nourish your hair, return it to its natural freshness and natural shine, take ½ cup of horsetail decoction and combine it with 1 chicken egg. Apply the finished mask to the scalp and distribute over the entire length of the hair. Put a cellophane cap on top and wrap your head with a terry towel. And after 30 minutes, wash your hair with shampoo. Repeat the procedure 1-2 times per week for two months.

Facial rejuvenation

To rejuvenate the skin of the face, as well as to maintain the correct oval of the face, it is enough to prepare a decoction of horsetail from 2 tbsp. raw materials and 300 ml of water which need to be boiled for 5 minutes. After moistening a cotton pad in the cooled broth, wipe the skin of the face and décolleté in the morning and evening, and after 20 minutes, rinse off the product with running water. Alternatively, you can moisten several cotton pads at once and apply lotions to your face for literally 20 minutes. These procedures must be performed 2-3 times a week.

Another way to tone the skin is the juice of the plant in question. Just squeeze out the pusher juice, freeze it in a mold, and when the healing moisture turns into ice, wipe your face with an ice cube twice a day. The reflection in the mirror will soon make you very happy!

How to lose weight with horsetail

The greens in question are suitable for combating excess weight and gaining a slim figure. For this purpose, prepare an infusion of horsetail from 2 tablespoons every day. raw materials and 200 ml of boiling water, infusing the mixture for 30 minutes. Divide the finished product into 4 doses and drink throughout the day, preferably 30 minutes before meals. The duration of a weight loss course is limited to a month, and 2 similar courses are allowed per year.

By the way, to enhance the effectiveness of weight loss, horsetail is recommended to be mixed in equal proportions with chamomile, birch leaves, buckthorn bark or nettle.

Contraindications and side effects of horsetail use

Despite the undeniable benefits of the field Christmas tree, you need to remember that not everyone can take products based on this medicinal plant. Contraindications to taking horsetail are:

• Acute nephritis and nephrosis. The diuretic properties of horsetail create additional stress on the kidneys, which only aggravates the course of the disease.
• Heavy internal bleeding, as well as uterine bleeding caused by infectious processes.
• Pregnancy. Components of the cauda equina cause contractions of the uterus, which can cause miscarriage.
• Breastfeeding period.
• Individual intolerance to horsetail components.
• Child's age is up to 3 years.

Finally, if you have chronic diseases, as well as kidney or heart failure, taking horsetail-based products should be discussed with your doctor.
Take care of your health!

Horsetail - treatment

This medicinal plant does not need recommendations - its benefits are obvious for many diseases, even such serious ones as atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the heart and brain or neoplasms in the stomach and intestines.

Horsetail has a general strengthening effect - in folk and scientific medicine it is best known as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent for diseases of the kidneys and bladder. A decoction and infusion of horsetail herb remarkably removes excess fluid from the body without affecting its salt composition, improves overall metabolism in the body, reduces swelling of various origins (with bruises, fractures, frostbite), and is especially good at removing cardiac edema.

Horsetail is used in the treatment of many diseases - decoctions and tinctures are used as a medicine for various types of pulmonary diseases (bronchitis, tuberculosis). The plant stops internal bleeding, so it is used by women during heavy menstruation. Horsetail is also used for gastrointestinal disorders, in particular for diarrhea accompanied by bleeding. Horsetail is used to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

In addition, horsetail is also used to treat skin diseases - eczema, fistulas, boils, dermatitis. Traditional medicine recommends the use of this plant to get rid of arthritis, rheumatism and osteochondrosis.

Horsetail contains a lot of useful substances

Vitamin C
Zinc
Magnesium
Iron
Potassium
Calcium
Selenium
Manganese
Iodine
Carotene
Flavonoids (including quercetin)
Silicic acid
Tannins and resins

Medicinal properties of horsetail

Diuretic
Hemostatic
Wound healing
General strengthening
Expectorant and bronchodilator
Astringent
Normalizing water-salt balance

In other words, this plant can be used to treat many diseases as a complementary therapy. The effect of horsetail is due to the presence of certain substances. Silicic acid, necessary for the human body, has a diuretic effect. The result appears from the first application. But in case of chronic nephritis, horsetail is contraindicated. Glycosides in the plant have anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects. Horsetail strengthens the immune system and has a general strengthening effect on the entire body.

Horsetail for adenoids

Adenoids are enlarged tonsils, which does not have the best effect on health. Enlarged tonsils mean one thing - the nose does not breathe, therefore, the risk of getting bronchitis or pneumonia increases. You can cure this attack with the help of horsetail - drink a decoction every day, which can be given to children over 3 years old. To prepare the decoction, you need to take 1 tablespoon of dried herb, add a glass of water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer the decoction over low heat. Use the received medicine within 24 hours.

Horsetail for kidney diseases

For inflammatory processes in the kidneys, you can take a decoction of horsetail; it has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. You need to take this medicine every day for two weeks.
In addition to using the decoction internally, you can take baths with the brewed herb and the results will not be long in coming.

Horsetail for kidney stones

Horsetail is an effective remedy for the treatment of the kidneys and urinary tract. This plant also copes well with stones and sand - to get rid of this scourge, you need to drink a decoction of horsetail every day for two months. During this time, the stones will gradually turn into sand and leave the body.

Horsetail for cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation (often infectious) of the bladder mucosa, accompanied by frequent urination and painful sensations. This disease can and should be treated with a decoction of horsetail; you need to drink it 0.5 cups 3 times a day. Warm compresses from the same decoction will help enhance the effect; it is advisable to do them at night.

Horsetail for women's health

Horsetail is especially useful for women - firstly, it has a beneficial effect on the genitourinary system as a whole. Secondly, a direct recommendation for the use of drugs with horsetail is uterine bleeding and heavy menstruation. To get rid of these problems, doctors recommend drinking a decoction of the plant’s stems. It is not advisable to take horsetail during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Horsetail for healthy skin

A decoction and masks based on horsetail have a very good effect on the condition of the facial skin - fine wrinkles are removed, the color is evened out. If your skin is problematic and prone to acne, you can use a decoction of the plant to relieve inflammation and redness.
A mask of horsetail and rolled oats in a 1:1 ratio perfectly nourishes the skin, and a special product made from a decoction of horsetail, carrot juice and honey rejuvenates the skin (in a 2:2:1 ratio).
Horsetail is also used in the treatment of skin diseases - if there are any pustular lesions on the skin, then horsetail can easily cope with them. The active components penetrate the body of the boil, relieve inflammation and destroy pathogenic bacteria. Horsetail is indispensable for eczema, dermatitis, and seborrhea.

Horsetail for healthy hair

To improve the condition of your hair, you need to use horsetail - to soften and make your hair manageable, you need to rinse it with a decoction of the herb after each wash. If you apply a little broth to your hair and cover it with cellophane, you will get an excellent procedure for strengthening the hair follicle and getting rid of dandruff. But we must not forget that the duration should not exceed 10-15 minutes.

Horsetail for weight loss

Horsetail is one of the popular means for weight loss - its effect is to reduce appetite, accelerate metabolism and efficiently remove toxins from the body. To lose weight with the help of this plant, you need to drink a decoction of horsetail every day for a month.

Horsetail formulas

Horsetail extract is available in several forms - capsules, tablets and dry extract, herbal raw materials, teas and infusions.

Horsetail capsules are taken orally - they are best absorbed. They must be used in accordance with the instructions and after prior consultation with a doctor.
Horsetail in tablets - for the convenience of consumers, special formulas with horsetail extract in tablet form are produced. The tablets are a compressed horsetail extract; they take a little longer to digest than capsules, but this does not make them any less effective. You should take it as recommended by your doctor or 3 tablets once a day, preferably with meals.
Horsetail - extract - you can make a decoction, infusions, teas from it and add it to medicinal baths. It is quite concentrated, so it is better to use it externally or gargle with it for diseases of the oropharynx or mouth, if the gums are bleeding or stomatitis is bothering you - preparing the infusion is very simple: pour 5-6 tablespoons of the herb with a glass of boiling water, leave until it cools completely. The resulting liquid should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days.
Horsetail - decoction - For medicinal purposes, a decoction of horsetail is mainly used. How to prepare: 2 tbsp. pour a glass of water over the raw material and put it on the fire until it boils, then simmer over low heat for at least half an hour. Store the drink in the refrigerator for no more than two days. It is taken mainly internally and as a hair and skin rinse.
Horsetail - tea - it is recommended to drink it for a cough that does not go away for a long time, to improve general well-being, speed up metabolism and for rheumatism and arthritis. Preparation: 1 tbsp. horsetail pour 2 tbsp. water, bring to a boil, hold over high heat for several minutes, leave in a dark place for 5-6 hours. You can drink up to 3 glasses of tea per day. You need to take this medicine in courses of no more than 3 months, be sure to take a break of 1-2 months.

Baths with horsetail

They are extremely beneficial for the whole body. You can make foot baths to get rid of unpleasant odor and treat fungus, you can take baths to strengthen the body, for cystitis and inflammation of the urinary tract, to treat purulent inflammation and skin rashes. Moreover, those who want to lose weight can regularly take such procedures to speed up metabolism and relieve stress. For a bath you will need 200 g. herbs, previously infused in any amount of liquid (the main thing is that the herb does not remain dry).

Horsetail - extract preparation

Preparation of preparations from dry horsetail or from plant extract is not a complicated process. You need to know the amount of raw materials to treat a particular disease. Although there is practically no difference in the recipes, the main thing to remember is that a highly concentrated drug must be diluted if it is intended to be taken orally.

Horsetail - how to brew

Due to the fact that the concentration of beneficial substances is very high even in a small amount of the drug, 1 tbsp will be enough for tea. l. horsetail or even 1 tsp. For a decoction you will need 1-2 tbsp, and for an infusion, twice as much. Pour boiling water over the plant and leave for at least 30 minutes. Horsetail in the form of decoctions and infusions is taken orally. The daily dose for an adult can be 3 glasses per day with meals.

Horsetail (like all other medicinal herbs and formulas) should be taken only after consulting a doctor.

Horsetail has a number of contraindications

Individual intolerance
Severe kidney disease
Pregnancy and lactation