Post by Angaridatha on Feb 15, 2005 0:05:07 GMT -5
Biological Name: Equisetaceae Equisetum arvense, Equiseti hiemalis, Mu zei
Other Names: Shave grass, scouring rush, equisetum, pewterwort, corncob plant, bottle brush, Horsetail
Parts Used: stems, leaves (grass)
ActiveCompounds: Horsetail is very rich in silicic acid and silicates, which provide approximately 2-3% elemental silicon. Potassium, aluminum, and manganese along with fifteen different types of bioflavonoids are also found in the herb. The presence of these bioflav-onoids are believed to cause the diuretic action, while the silicon content is said to exert a connective tissue-strengthening and antiarthritic action. Some experts have suggested that the element silicon is a vital component for bone and cartilage formations This would indicate that horsetail may be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis. Anecdotal reports suggest that horsetail may be of some use in the treatment of brittle nails.
The constituents are: o Alkaloids, including nicotine, palustrine and palustrinine o Flavonoids such as isoquercitrin and equicetrin o Sterols including cholesterol, isofucosterol, campesterol. o Silicic acid. o Misc: a saponin equisitonin, dimethylsulphone, thiaminase & aconitic acid.
History: Since it was recommended by the Roman physician Galen, several cultures have employed horsetail as a folk remedy for kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis. Additionally, the topical use of horsetail is said to stop the bleeding of wounds and promote rapid healing. The use of this herb as an abrasive cleanser to scour pots or shave wood illustrates the origin of horsetail's common names-scouring rush and shave grass.
Remedies For: Astringent, diuretic, vulnerary, diaphoretic
Horsetail is useful for: Brittle nails Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Rheumatoid arthritis Water retention
Arthritis: Horsetail absorbs gold dissolved in water better than most plants, as much as 4 ounces per ton of fresh stalks. Small amounts of gold is found useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and the Chinese used horsetail for this disease.
Diuretic: Horsetail contains a weak diuretic chemical lending support to its traditional use as a urinary stimulant. Horsetail is also useful for water retention.
Horsetail is an excellent astringent for the genito-urinary system, reducing haemorrhage and healing wounds thanks to the high silica content. It acts as a mild diuretic. It is also invaluable in the treatment of incontinence and bed wetting in children. It is considered a specific in cases of inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Externally it is a vulnerary. In some cases it has been found to ease the pain of rheumatism and stimulate the healing of chilblains.
Combinations : Horsetail is often combined with Hydrangea in the treatment of prostate troubles. Traditional Chinese Medicine: Chinese medicine uses horsetail for such ailments as bloodshot eyes and conjunctivitis. Because it is rich in trace minerals, it is excellent as a semiregular tonic. [glow=red,2,300]DO NOT USE THIS HERB FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.[/glow]
Description: Horsetail is widely distributed throughout the temperate climate zones of the northern hemi-sphere, including Asia, North America, and Europe. Horsetail is a unique plant with two distinctive types of stems. One variety of stem grows early in spring and looks like asparagus, except for its brown color and the spore-containing cones on top. The mature form of the herb, appearing in summer, has branched, thin, green, sterile stems and looks very much like a feathery tail. Horsetail is the sole descendant of the giant fernlike plants that covered the earth some 200 million years ago. The herb's creeping rhizome sends up hollow, jointed, virtually leafless, bamboo-like stalks that reach 6 feet. At the ends of the stacks, spore-bearing structures develop which resemble horsetails, corncobs, or bottle brushes.
Dosage: Horsetail can be taken daily as a tea at 1-4 grams per day. Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried plant and let infuse for l5-20minutes.. This should be drunk three times a day. Bath: A useful bath can be made to help in rheumatic pain and chilblains. Allow l00 grams (3 l/2 ounces of the herb to steep in hot water for an hour. Add this to the bath. Tincture: take 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day.
Other Names: Shave grass, scouring rush, equisetum, pewterwort, corncob plant, bottle brush, Horsetail
Parts Used: stems, leaves (grass)
ActiveCompounds: Horsetail is very rich in silicic acid and silicates, which provide approximately 2-3% elemental silicon. Potassium, aluminum, and manganese along with fifteen different types of bioflavonoids are also found in the herb. The presence of these bioflav-onoids are believed to cause the diuretic action, while the silicon content is said to exert a connective tissue-strengthening and antiarthritic action. Some experts have suggested that the element silicon is a vital component for bone and cartilage formations This would indicate that horsetail may be beneficial in preventing osteoporosis. Anecdotal reports suggest that horsetail may be of some use in the treatment of brittle nails.
The constituents are: o Alkaloids, including nicotine, palustrine and palustrinine o Flavonoids such as isoquercitrin and equicetrin o Sterols including cholesterol, isofucosterol, campesterol. o Silicic acid. o Misc: a saponin equisitonin, dimethylsulphone, thiaminase & aconitic acid.
History: Since it was recommended by the Roman physician Galen, several cultures have employed horsetail as a folk remedy for kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis. Additionally, the topical use of horsetail is said to stop the bleeding of wounds and promote rapid healing. The use of this herb as an abrasive cleanser to scour pots or shave wood illustrates the origin of horsetail's common names-scouring rush and shave grass.
Remedies For: Astringent, diuretic, vulnerary, diaphoretic
Horsetail is useful for: Brittle nails Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Rheumatoid arthritis Water retention
Arthritis: Horsetail absorbs gold dissolved in water better than most plants, as much as 4 ounces per ton of fresh stalks. Small amounts of gold is found useful for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and the Chinese used horsetail for this disease.
Diuretic: Horsetail contains a weak diuretic chemical lending support to its traditional use as a urinary stimulant. Horsetail is also useful for water retention.
Horsetail is an excellent astringent for the genito-urinary system, reducing haemorrhage and healing wounds thanks to the high silica content. It acts as a mild diuretic. It is also invaluable in the treatment of incontinence and bed wetting in children. It is considered a specific in cases of inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Externally it is a vulnerary. In some cases it has been found to ease the pain of rheumatism and stimulate the healing of chilblains.
Combinations : Horsetail is often combined with Hydrangea in the treatment of prostate troubles. Traditional Chinese Medicine: Chinese medicine uses horsetail for such ailments as bloodshot eyes and conjunctivitis. Because it is rich in trace minerals, it is excellent as a semiregular tonic. [glow=red,2,300]DO NOT USE THIS HERB FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME.[/glow]
Description: Horsetail is widely distributed throughout the temperate climate zones of the northern hemi-sphere, including Asia, North America, and Europe. Horsetail is a unique plant with two distinctive types of stems. One variety of stem grows early in spring and looks like asparagus, except for its brown color and the spore-containing cones on top. The mature form of the herb, appearing in summer, has branched, thin, green, sterile stems and looks very much like a feathery tail. Horsetail is the sole descendant of the giant fernlike plants that covered the earth some 200 million years ago. The herb's creeping rhizome sends up hollow, jointed, virtually leafless, bamboo-like stalks that reach 6 feet. At the ends of the stacks, spore-bearing structures develop which resemble horsetails, corncobs, or bottle brushes.
Dosage: Horsetail can be taken daily as a tea at 1-4 grams per day. Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 2 teaspoonfuls of the dried plant and let infuse for l5-20minutes.. This should be drunk three times a day. Bath: A useful bath can be made to help in rheumatic pain and chilblains. Allow l00 grams (3 l/2 ounces of the herb to steep in hot water for an hour. Add this to the bath. Tincture: take 2-6 ml of the tincture three times a day.
