Horsetail useful medicinal properties and contraindications. The use of horsetail at home. When to Harvest Horsetail

Field horsetail - perennial grass horsetail family. Grows predominantly in sandy or moderately moist soils. The plant reaches a height of 40-50 cm, has a herringbone shape. It can be eaten fresh and thermally processed. Also, the plant is valued for its beneficial properties, has wide application in folk and traditional medicine.

Chemical composition

Grass horsetail includes wide range vitamins and microelements:

• carbohydrates - galactose, pectin, mannose, glucose, arabinose, xylose;
• resins, saponins;
• carotene, vitamin C;
• mineral salts;
• silicic acid salts;
• tannins;
• flavonoids, alkaloids;
• organic acids- nicotinic, malic, cinchona, aconite, oxalic, fumaric, gluconic;
• phenolcarboxylic acids - vanillic, gallic, protocatechuic, ferulic, coffee;
• fixed oils, bitterness.

The chemical composition of horsetail is valued for the following pharmacological properties:

• astringents;
• diuretics;
• hemostatic;
• blood-purifying;
• tonic;
• wound healing;
• anti-inflammatory;
• bactericidal;
• disinfectants;
• antihelminthic;
• strengthening;
• expectorants.

This list makes horsetail herb a common ingredient in medicinal preparations, as well as traditional medicine recipes.

Medicinal properties

Pharmacological properties horsetail allow use herbs for prevention and treatment the following pathologies:

• inflammation in oral cavity- periodontal disease, gingivitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis, adenoids;
• fungal infections;
• Qatar upper respiratory tract, bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
• diseases musculoskeletal system- sciatica, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, fractures;
• ulcer duodenum, pancreatitis;
• metabolic disorders, gout, mild and moderate diabetes, overweight;
• heart failure, heart defects, pleurisy;
• urinary tract diseases - pyelitis, urethritis, urolithiasis;
• atherosclerosis of the vessels of the central nervous system and hearts;
• hemorrhoidal, nasal and uterine bleeding;
• tuberculosis of the skin and lungs;
• acute or chronic lead poisoning;
• skin diseases - dermatitis, ulcers, abscesses, abscesses, lichen, furunculosis, eczema, neurodermatitis,;
• dandruff, seborrhea, hyperkeratosis.

Horsetail herb in traditional and folk medicine used in the treatment of the following diseases:

• Pathologies of the urinary system - the plant allows you to clean the excretory channels, relieve swelling and disinfect the affected areas, the herb also facilitates the removal of kidney stones;
• Diseases of cardio-vascular system- the plant tones the blood vessels, provides normal blood flow, increases blood clotting and the production of leukocytes, helps with hypertension and atherosclerosis;
• Respiratory tract diseases - the herb is used for bronchial diseases, provides liquefaction and removal of sputum, helps with inflammation and swelling of the throat and vocal cords;
• Violations digestive system- the plant is used in the composition complex therapy with cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, poisoning, diarrhea;
• Excess weight- the herb is used in recipes for weight loss, promotes recovery normal exchange substances and water-salt balance, removes slag formations and toxins from the body;
• Skin diseases - external use of horsetail allows you to treat skin pathologies, baths and lotions help with hemorrhoids, varicose veins, gout.

Horsetail grass is used in the manufacture medications, as well as in various decoctions, infusions, ointments, baths. Based on this plant, recipes are offered for the prevention of diseases. Also, the tool is actively used as part of complex therapy in their direct treatment.

Pharmacy preparations

Horsetail as the main component is used in the following preparations:

• "Phytolysin" - combination drug with ingredients plant origin, sold as a paste for the preparation of internal solutions, used for inflammation urinary tract;
• Horsetail grass - dried plants for the preparation of infusions and decoctions;
• dry or liquid extract- the drug has a wide range of applications, mainly used for nosebleeds, as well as urinary and skin diseases.

The plant can be used in other preparations as a complementary ingredient. It can also be found in herbal preparations general preventive purpose.

medicinal tea

Horsetail tea has a weak concentration active substances. The tool is used for the prevention of diseases, for the treatment it is suitable only for early stages development of pathology.

To prepare 2 tsp. dry plant pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist half an hour. If cold boiled water is used, tea is infused for up to 12 hours. medicinal tea on the basis of horsetail is taken in small sips 3-4 times daily. The course of treatment is 2-3 months.

Decoction

To prepare a decoction of horsetail, 20 g of dry grass is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, covered with a lid, heated in a water bath for half an hour. Cooled down to warm state the broth is filtered, squeezing the grass. The total volume is adjusted to 200 ml by diluting the product with warm boiled water.

The resulting decoction is used inside in the treatment of the following diseases:

• renal, cardiac and pulmonary edema;
• diseases gastrointestinal tract;
• painful and heavy menstruation;
• fungal infections.

For internal use, a decoction of horsetail is taken 1-2 tbsp. l. 2-3 times a day one hour after meals. With inflammation of the mouth and throat with this remedy rinse throat and mouth. For treatment skin diseases, ulcers and open wounds apply washing. For arthrosis and arthritis, warm broths are prepared from the decoction. compresses.

Infusion

To prepare the infusion of horsetail, 20 g of raw material is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, infused for an hour, wrapped in a warm towel. Remedy applied inside 1-2 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day for the treatment of the following diseases:

• inflammation of the liver and gallbladder;
• edema in the cardiac system;
• inflammation of the female reproductive system;
• atherosclerosis, hypertension;
• bone fractures.

For washing horsetail infusion is suitable for non-healing wounds ah, suppuration, ulcers, bedsores, eczema and furunculosis. Warm compresses on the basis of this herb is done for gout, rheumatism, pleurisy.

With angina and inflammation of the throat and oral cavity, apply rinsing plant infusion. In case of conjunctivitis, it is used for instillations in the eyes 1-2 drops three times a day. Also, the product is used to rinse the head and hair after washing.

Alcohol tincture

As part of alcohol tincture horsetail is used as general tonic for immunity. For its preparation, 20 g of herbs are poured with a liter of white wine. Insist for a week, then filter. Take tincture of 2 tbsp. l. on an empty stomach for 2-3 weeks.

Ointment

The use of horsetail as an ointment provides an antiseptic and wound healing effect. For preparation, crushed dry grass is mixed with petroleum jelly in a ratio of 1: 4. The remedy is especially appreciated for ulcers, cracks and purulent wounds.

Baths

Horsetail is added to the bath for the following diseases:

• impaired blood circulation in the limbs;
• reduced metabolism;
• frostbite or suppuration of the skin;
• sweating of the feet and hands;
• rheumatism, gout;
• pain in the joints.

To prepare a bath, 100 grams of horsetail herb is poured with a liter of boiling water, insisted for half an hour. The resulting solution is filtered and added to a regular bath. Take it for 10-15 minutes, repeat every other day for a month.

Juice

For the preparation of horsetail juice, freshly harvested grass is used. The plant is carefully crushed, and then squeezed. The resulting product is used inside 2 tsp. three times a day in the treatment of the following diseases:

• edema of various origins;
• frequent viral and cold infections;
• weakening of the immune system, recovery from illnesses;
• varicose veins veins.

Also, purulent and bleeding wounds are treated with horsetail juice. With frequent nosebleeds, 2-3 drops are instilled into the nose.

Extract

Horsetail extract is not made at home, it can be purchased at a pharmacy or a specialized store. The tool is used for treatment and prevention:

• urolithiasis;
• decrease in the elasticity of tissue integument;
• weakening of hair and nails;
• atherosclerosis.

Also internal use extract of this plant is designed for the following diseases:

• heavy metal poisoning, especially lead;
• dry cough and wheezing in the bronchi;
• tuberculosis of the lungs and skin;
• diabetes;
• weakening of the immune system;
• rheumatism.

For rinsing throat and oral cavity extract is used for sore throat and gum disease. In the case of fungal infections, the agent is used for outdoor processing .

Internal application horsetail extract is calculated on half a teaspoon three times a day. If a dry extract of a plant is purchased, it is pre-mixed with water - half a slice of a 200 ml briquette. The resulting mixture is boiled for half an hour, after which it is filtered.

Special Fees

The use of horsetail is designed not only for general preventive and therapeutic effect but also for the treatment of certain diseases. In this case, specialized collections are most effective, in which the plant is used as the main or auxiliary ingredient.

For treatment tuberculous lymphadenitis 50 g of horsetail, 30 g of knotweed and the same amount of root gentian are mixed. 2-3 tbsp. l. The resulting mass is poured with half a liter of water, boiled over low heat for 10 minutes. Application - 100 g four times a day before meals.

For effective treatment of adenoids in children prepare the infusion. To prepare 2 tbsp. l. fresh or dry horsetail grass is poured with half a glass of boiling water. The product is wrapped with a towel and insisted for 40 minutes. Before each use nasal cavity washed with a solution based sea ​​water. Instill infusion of 5 drops three times a day. On the second or third day, the nose may come out copious discharge- it is considered normal reaction.

For cooking decoction for osteoporosis, arthritis and rheumatism 100 g of horsetail herb is poured with a liter of water. Boil over low heat until the volume is reduced by half. After that, 250 g of honey is added to the broth, boiled for 30 minutes in a water bath, periodically removing the resulting film. Application - 1 tbsp. l. 5 times a day.

With stones in gallbladder mix 1 tbsp. l. field horsetail, 2 tbsp. l. knotweed, 6 tbsp. l. rosehip roots. The mixture is poured with three glasses of water, boiled for 15 minutes, insisted for an hour. Application - half a glass 2-3 times a day before meals for a month.

For prevention and treatment bone and joint diseases cook herbal collection from several plants. To do this, mix 10 grams of horsetail, linden and mallow flowers, plantain, as well as 5 grams of thyme, elder flowers and fennel fruits. 2 tbsp. l. The resulting raw material is poured with a glass of boiling water, covered with a lid for 20 minutes, after which it is filtered. Application - 100 ml three times a day for 2-3 months. May be mixed with honey.

For outdoor use prepare an infusion of horsetail and linden flowers in equal proportions. 1 st. l. collection pour a glass of boiled water, insist for an hour. External use, problem areas of the skin are wiped at night. It is allowed to freeze the infusion into ice cubes for face treatment.

Contraindications and harm

• the presence of nephritis and nephrosis;
• profuse internal bleeding;
• individual intolerance, allergy;
• chronic diseases, kidney or heart failure.

The use of products based on horsetail is not allowed. longer than three months. If prolonged therapy is expected, pause. Also, this herb is not compatible with lithium and prevents its removal from the body, which leads to undesirable side effects.

horsetail contraindicated in pregnant women- its use can cause uterine contractions and lead to miscarriage. Grass does not apply and during the feeding period don't give it children under three years old.

Pay attention to the independent collection of plants. This herb should be distinguished from other varieties of the horsetail family. For example, swamp and forest species are poisonous, their use can lead to serious negative consequences.

For effective application horsetail requires consultation with a doctor.

Equisetum arvensis L.

Branches are barren
Leaves are useless
And the grass is alive
She tortured everyone in the field.

No wonder they say: "Thin as a horsetail." This grass is unsightly, our horsetails are small, not like their ancestors in the Carboniferous period - multi-meter giants with trunks like those of a perennial pine.

Horsetail family - EQUISETACEAE

Description. perennial spore herbaceous plant. The rhizome is long, creeping, deepening into the soil up to 1.5 m, brownish-black. Grows on arable land. The stems are of two kinds: spring - spore-bearing, summer barren. Spore-bearing stems are unbranched, juicy, grayish-pink, up to 25 cm tall. After maturation of the spores, the stems die off, later barren branched green stems 15–45 cm high develop. The spores ripen in April–May.

Geographic distribution. It occurs almost throughout Russia, with the exception of desert and semi-desert regions.

Organs Used: vegetative branched shoots (grass).

Chemical composition. Horsetail herb contains little-studied saponin equizetonin (about 5%) and alkaloids nicotine, equisetin (palustrin) C 17 H 29-31 O 2 N 3 ; 3-methoxypyridine C 6 H 7 NO; dimethylsulfone; flavonoids; equisetrin C 27 H 30 O 16, isoquercitrin C 21 H 20 O 12 and luteolin 5-glucoside C 21 H 20 O 11, vitamin C (up to 0.19%), carotene (about 4.7 mg%); malic, aconitic and oxalic acids; proteins (about 16%), fatty oil, silicic acid (up to 25%), tannins, bitterness, resins.

Pharmacological properties and application. Horsetail - medicinal plant which was used in ancient times. Some of its properties were well known to Ibn Sina, who noted: “This plant, and especially the juice squeezed out of it, binds and dries strongly without burning. It is good (helps) from bleeding .., surprisingly (well) heals ulcers and wounds. If nerves pass through the wounds, it still heals them ... Horsetail helps against tumors of the liver and stomach and dropsy ... It is given to drink in wine, and this helps from lowering the stomach and from bloody diarrhea ”(Book 2 , p. 667). X. Hager (1892) pointed to the diuretic effect of horsetail.

Both in folk and scientific medicine horsetail preparations are used as a diuretic for edema due to circulatory failure, for diseases of the liver, kidneys and Bladder, with kidney stones, as a hemostatic agent - with hemorrhoidal and uterine bleeding.

In Bulgarian folk medicine, the plant also used in the presence of sand and stones in the kidneys and bladder, with dropsy, gout, sciatica, rheumatism, arteriosclerosis, bleeding, as well as with increased blood pressure as a diuretic and antihelminthic(D. Pordanov and others). Horsetail is contraindicated only in nephritis, as it irritates the renal parenchyma. Fresh horsetail juice they are used externally in the treatment of wounds and ulcers, and the infusion of the herb is used internally for tumors of the liver and stomach, dropsy, bloody diarrhea and nosebleeds. An experiment on dogs showed that horsetail accelerates the excretion of lead salts from the body (N. G. Kovaleva, 1972).

Decoction and infusion of herbs are taken with diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract, with diseases of the bladder, internal bleeding, malaria, inflammation sciatic nerve. An infusion of herbs is taken for cholelithiasis, gout, rheumatism, and edema, especially cardiac origin.

In Germany, an infusion of herbs is used to wash long-term non-healing purulent wounds, ulcers, and to rinse with inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and pharynx.

Sprinkle dry chopped grass festering wounds for healing.

In scientific medicine, an infusion of herbs is used for pleurisy with large quantity exudate, with uterine and hemorrhoidal bleeding, with dysentery.

In France nice results were obtained in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

To prepare an infusion of herbs, 4 teaspoons of raw materials are infused in two glasses of hot boiled water, filter. Warm infusion is drunk in sips during the day (Makhlayuk, 1992).

In Bulgaria, it has been experimentally and clinically established that horsetail juice increases urination by 100%, and decoction and infusion - by 50%.

Horsetail extract is used for lead poisoning (Petkov, 1988).

A decoction of horsetail is drunk nephrolithiasis and in diseases of the urinary tract, diabetes(Nikolaichuk, 1992).

Horsetail preparations prevent the formation of stones. They are used for heart defects, heart failure, pyelitis, cystitis, urethritis, atherosclerosis, brain sclerosis, and capillary damage.

Horsetail is contraindicated with nephritis and nephrosis, as it can cause irritation of the kidneys (Sokolov, 1991).

Horsetail preparations enhance the neutralizing and immune properties organism. From dandruff, wash your head with a decoction of horsetail. With sweating feet, foot baths are done (Pastushenkov, 1990).

Horsetail is part of the anti-asthma mixture I.I. Traskov and M.N. Zdrenko (Sviridonov, 1992).

AT Chinese medicine a decoction of horsetail is used for inflammation of the eyes, in Poland - for baldness. In Australia, it is believed that horsetail improves blood composition, it is used for diarrhea, hemoptysis, bedwetting, and tumors of the liver and stomach (Kovaleva, 1971).

Methods of preparation and use

1. Four teaspoons of horsetail herb pour 2 cups of boiling water, insist for 15 minutes, filter and drink warm infusion throughout the day (diuretic).

2. Horsetail grass (50 g) is poured with 3 cups of cold boiled water, insisted for a day, filtered. Assign externally for baths, washes and compresses (anti-inflammatory).

Our horsetails thinner than a pencil and not higher than a meter. Although even now in Jamaica and the Andes they reach 6-10 meters. Lateral branches, thin, long, depart from the main stem in layers-tiers. Leaves-scales are arranged in rings at the nodes of the stem. At the top of the stem is a spore-bearing spikelet-pistil. It appears on a spring yellow-brown shoot. Pistils are eaten - they are sweetish, they contain up to 100 mg% of vitamin C. When the spores spill out of the spikelets, the pestles will quietly leave. They have fulfilled their role. They will be replaced by green stalks-herringbones. They are also rich in protein and sugar. Under the ground - rhizome. Its tubers contain a lot of starch, vitamins C and A. These tubers store one and a half kilograms of mice-voles in their minks for the winter, deer and cows do not disdain horsetail.

All horsetails have interesting feature , they are tough - they have a lot of silica. Take a stem and try filing your own nail with it. A few movements across the stem - and the nail was worn off. Enviable hardness of a vegetable instrument. No wonder they clean dishes, grind wood and metal.

AT medicinal purposes drink horsetail decoction with edema of cardiac origin, with pleurisy, tuberculosis, chronic inflammation urinary tract, although acute nephritis horsetail is contraindicated. In this case, it should only be used in complex collection and in small doses. A decoction is used for hemorrhoids and uterine bleeding, horsetail is especially important in collections for baths that regulate salt metabolism substances.

Spore-bearing shoots of horsetail used for cooking okroshka, casseroles, soups, omelettes, along with other herbs and vegetables.

Horsetail Pestle Casserole: take 20 - 30 pieces of spikelets of horsetail, rinse, put in a pan with sunflower oil, sprinkle with breadcrumbs, salt and pour over the beaten egg. Sprinkle with green onions before serving.

Ecology of consumption. Traditional medicine: Horsetail can be considered an indicator indicating hyperacidity soil

Usually, this plant reproduces by spores and vegetatively - by segments of rhizomes, it is distributed everywhere, with the exception of the Far North and deserts. It grows on loose sandy and loamy fresh soils in fields, in crops, on railway embankments, forest clearings, on sandy river banks, in sandy and clay pits, sometimes forms pure thickets. horsetail can be considered an indicator indicating increased soil acidity.

Attention, the plant is poisonous!

Even the great Avicenna himself used the juice to treat wounds and ulcers, and wine infusions to treat tumors of the liver and stomach, dropsy and intestinal disorders.

Plant preparations for diuretic action superior to kidney tea. Besides, horsetail has hemostatic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant is playing important role in the processes of metabolism and functional activity connective tissue, mucous membranes, walls blood vessels. This is especially important for the development of bone tissue.

Liquid extract from the aerial part, infusion, decoction is used as:

• diuretic, hemostatic and antihypertensive;
• with diseases of the heart and kidneys (especially with edema and other congestion due to circulatory failure)
• with pleurisy, inflammatory processes of the bladder and urinary tract,
• in some forms of pulmonary tuberculosis associated with a violation of silicate metabolism.

Apply as a hemostatic with hemorrhoids, uterine, pulmonary, nasal, intestinal and stomach bleeding; with acute and chronic poisoning lead.

In folk medicine- with pulmonary tuberculosis, dysentery, diarrhea, rheumatism, dropsy, gout, jaundice, liver diseases, bronchitis, atherosclerosis, kidney and bladder diseases (including urolithiasis).

Externally in the form of baths, lotions and compresses- with eczema, boils, ringworm and itchy lichen.

In the form of rinses- with stomatitis and other inflammatory processes of the oral mucosa.

In the form of powders- for the treatment of wounds and ulcers (as a hemostatic and disinfectant).

Juice (for oral use)- as an anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, astringent, diuretic in diseases of the kidneys and bladder.

The plant is used as a means of improving blood circulation in case of congestion accompanying heart and other diseases, especially in pleurisy with a large amount of exudate, edema.

Essence from fresh plant used in homeopathy. Horsetail herb is an ingredient in anti-asthma mixtures and diuretic teas.

In folk medicine, horsetail is part of the fees that are used externally for ulcers, aging wounds. Lotions, compresses, baths for wounds, ulcers, abrasions, abscesses, boils, lichen, eczema, osteomyelitis, skin tuberculosis are made from the infusion and juice of the plant, open affected areas are sprinkled with spores.

The cleansing properties of horsetail are enhanced in mixtures and preparations for urolithiasis, nephritis, pyelitis, cystitis, enuresis, prostatitis, adenoma, and also helps to remove sand and stones from the kidneys and bladder.

Horsetail for baths (externally): baths stimulate the metabolism in the skin and are good for circulatory disorders, and also affect edema in fractures, frostbite, abscesses and suppuration of bones (with open fractures). Horsetail baths also relieve most rheumatic diseases and gout metabolic disorders.

With urolithiasis, edema of cardiac origin, inflammatory diseases of the bladder, liver: brew 25 g of horsetail with 200 ml of boiling water, boil for 30 minutes. over low heat, strain, add boiled water to the original volume. Take 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day after meals as a diuretic for edema of renal and cardiac origin, exudative pleurisy, inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, bladder. With the same decoction of horsetail, you can also rinse the mouth and throat, wash wounds, ulcers, bedsores, skin areas affected by eczema, furunculosis, make compresses on sore joints.

Juice consumption: rinse, grind fresh horsetail grass, squeeze the juice. Store in a cold place. Take 2 tsp. 3-4 times a day as a diuretic for edema. Wash bleeding, festering wounds, ulcers. You can drip into the nose 2-3 drops with frequent nosebleeds.

Hemostatic collection: in equal proportions in equal amounts, grind and mix such a composition - from the leaves of birch drooping, grass of the mountaineer pepper, stinging nettle and horsetail. Take a tablespoon per 300 ml of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes, drink half a glass. The same decoction can be applied to wounds.

Attention should be paid to the presence of silicic acid in the horsetail herb, and especially its salt, due to their herb has a cleansing and diuretic effect. It is enhanced by flavonoids. With edema in patients with heart defects, diuresis increases by more than 2 times. The effect begins already on the first day of treatment and lasts throughout the course of treatment, and after the drug is discontinued, it continues for another 2-3 days. side effects in patients with healthy kidneys not visible. Horsetail is contraindicated in nephritis and nephroso-nephritis. The plant has a hemostatic effect, especially in hemorrhoidal and uterine bleeding.

With edema due to circulatory failure: prescribed in the form of a decoction of 20 g of raw materials per 200 ml of water in a tablespoon 3 times a day as a diuretic, as well as for pleurisy with a large amount of exudate, as well as for inflammatory processes of the bladder and urinary tract. Outwardly, a decoction is recommended for baths and compresses for difficult-to-heal wounds and boils, for rinsing the mouth and throat with inflammatory phenomena, for washing the nasal cavities with frequent bleeding.

It is interesting that although the horsetail is poisonous, but the spring juicy young shoots can be eaten. Nodules on the rhizomes are eaten raw or baked. A decoction of rhizomes is used to dye woolen fabrics in a gray-yellow color.

In veterinary medicine horsetail herb powder is sprinkled on wounds and ulcers.

Spore-bearing shoots color wool yellow and green.

The powder is suitable for polishing furniture.

Even when collecting raw materials, you need to remember that the real medicinal action renders the horsetail.

You should beware of horsetail growing near water - it is marsh horsetail, a poisonous plant. published

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Useful properties of horsetail surprise not only traditional healers, but also representatives official medicine. A careful study of the composition of this plant led to the conclusion that horsetail is effective in the treatment of various diseases.

Feature of the horsetail in that its branches are directed upwards, and not downwards or horizontally, unlike other horsetails. In medicine, young green shoots are used, which appear in place of dying spore-bearing spikelets.

Rusichi for a long time used horsetail only in economic purposes. With the help of a decoction of its roots, wool was dyed. With the help of grass, stones were polished, dishes and kitchen utensils were cleaned, and metals were polished. Such cleaning abilities of horsetail are due to the presence of silicic acid in it, which is useful not only in the household, but also for health.

Field can be purchased at the pharmacy in dried form, briquettes and liquid extracts.

The composition of the horsetail. In the green part of the plant, biologists have found the following substances:
- biologically active ingredients, including saponins, equizetonin, alkaloids and flavonoids;
- valuable tannins;
- carotene and various acids: malic, oxalic, ascorbic, silicon;
- fats and fatty oils, proteins and carbohydrates.

Useful properties of horsetail:

• strong diuretic. For this, decoctions and extracts of the green parts of horsetail are used;
• anti-inflammatory agent. Helps in healing inflammatory diseases bladder and urinary tract, lung diseases, bronchitis, cough;
• stops bleeding , which are caused by female diseases and hemorrhoids;
• It has anthelmintic effect ;
• has restorative effect ;
• has cleansing action . Helps to remove lead, cholesterol and toxins from the body;
• heals conjunctivitis. To do this, you can do washing with horsetail infusion or take special eye baths;
• fights with. To do this, use freshly squeezed horsetail juice;
• is prevention of stone formation by increasing filtration in the renal glomeruli;
• improves metabolic processes in nails and hair;
• improves, increasing the body's resistance. For this purpose, freshly squeezed horsetail juice is used;
• purifies the blood, outputs excess water without disturbing the salt composition;
• useful with allergic diseases ;
• helps in treatment pulmonary tuberculosis ;
• with inflammatory processes of the oral cavity, stomatitis or tonsillitis . It is useful to make decoctions and rinse the oral cavity with them;
• may be included in the complex treatment of rheumatism and heart disease , avoiding stagnation;
• saturates the body with silicon compounds , which has a positive effect on atherosclerosis of the brain and blood vessels, as well as diseases associated with capillaries;
• improves the condition in the treatment of tuberculosis of the epidermis ;
• horsetail baths improve metabolism in the skin, restore blood circulation, relieve swelling in fractures, frostbite, help with abscesses and suppuration of bones, rheumatism and gout;
• decoctions useful for older people . But the reception of field horsetail in this case is recommended to be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Preparation of infusion for internal use. Brew 20 g of horsetail herb with a glass of boiling water and insist for an hour. After filtering, you need to drink 3-4 times a day for 1-2 tbsp. l.

♦ The infusion is effective in the treatment of urolithiasis, inflammatory diseases of the bladder and liver, edema of cardiac origin, women's diseases, hypertension.

♦ The infusion is suitable for the treatment of festering and non-healing wounds, ulcers, bedsores, eczema, furunculosis. With it, you can make compresses for pleurisy, on sore joints for gout and rheumatism.

♦ The infusion is effective in rinsing the mouth and throat for the treatment of inflammatory diseases and sore throats.

Decoction preparation. Brew 25 g of horsetail with a glass of boiling water and boil for half an hour over low heat. After straining, bring the volume of liquid to the original volume. The decoction is taken after meals, 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day.

♦ The decoction is effective as a diuretic for edema of renal and cardiac origin, exudative pleurisy, inflammation of the kidneys and bladder.

♦ This decoction is useful as mouth and throat rinses, washing wounds, bedsores, ulcers, skin areas affected by furunculosis and eczema, and as compresses on sore joints.

Contraindication to taking horsetail field are jade due to the fact that this plant irritates the kidneys.

Medicinal properties, decoctions and infusions of horsetail:

It is difficult to imagine that a small herbaceous plant is a descendant of the Paleozoic tree-like ferns. Modern horsetails inhabit any, even poor soils. Therefore, their habitat is very wide. They can be found on clay and sandy soils, in swamps, near any water bodies. Horsetails especially “love” an acidic environment, therefore they are considered plant markers of soil acidification. Unpretentiousness to living conditions has led to their reputation as a malicious weed. The genus of horsetails includes about 30 species: field, meadow, marsh and others. Most of them are poisonous to animals and humans.

Horsetail is an exception. His p

used for animal feed, especially after frost, when nutrients move into a more manageable structure. In the north, there are still ancient recipes for cooking dishes from this plant. The presence of starch and vitamins A and C, a rich set of trace elements justify the use of young shoots in salads and seasonings in meat dishes. Not accepted now, but examples of the use of dried horsetail for polishing tin products are described in the literature. Hence the name, which is not related to the external appearance, "tin grass".

The main ones from useful properties horsetail - medicinal.

The literal translation of the Latin name is a horse's tail growing on arable land.

Other names: field pine, conifer, yawfish. These names reflect the structural features of horsetail. This is a primitive spore plant. In the spring, spore-bearing spikelets form brown. Later, green vegetative shoots appear. They are segmented, with thin needle-like leaves collected in bunches.

For medicinal purposes, it is the green shoots collected in June and July that are suitable. Before self-collection, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the image of the horsetail. Collected by mistake, other types of horsetail can be harmful to health. Dry the collected grass should be in the shade, on outdoors or in a well ventilated area. Properly harvested raw materials are stored for up to 4 years.

The use of horsetail in traditional medicine

Official medicinal forms: horsetail herb, horsetail dry extract.
Main pharmachologic effect: diuretic.
Indications: diseases of the urinary system (cystitis, urethritis).

It is a component of many medicinal products:

• Used in complex treatment lung and bronchial diseases, since silicon compounds accelerate the transport of other medicinal substances in fabric respiratory system, reduce the amount of exudate in pleurisy.
• Phenolic compounds of horsetail inhibit the growth of tumor cells.
• The diuretic effect allows you to reduce the volume of blood in the body. This results in a decrease in blood pressure.
• Horsetail substances prevent platelets from sticking together, thereby preventing thrombosis.
• The high content of calcium salts strengthens the heart muscle. These medicinal properties allow the use of horsetail for the treatment of arterial hypertension.
• Horsetail is also used to treat skin diseases, ulcers and problematic wounds.
• As part of the laxative Depuraflux, the silicon compounds of horsetail restore the damaged epithelium of the internal organs.
• The drug for the treatment of pyelitis uroflux contains horsetail as a diuretic.

The use of horsetail in folk medicine

To the official list of diseases that are cured with the help of horsetail, healers add:

• diarrhea
• haemorrhoids;
• helminthic invasions;
• conjunctivitis;
• lichen;
• allergy;
• diabetes;
• sore throat;
• osteoporosis;
• joint diseases;
• pulmonary tuberculosis;
• proliferation of adenoids;
• bleeding;
• atherosclerosis;
• gout;
• boils;
• rheumatism;
• hepatic colic;
• stones in the gallbladder.

Used to irrigate the oral cavity and sinuses, strengthen hair, combat alopecia and seborrhea, and treat acne.

Brings out the lead.

Not addictive.

Horsetail contraindications

• Pregnancy and lactation.
• Acute forms of inflammation genitourinary system: nephrosis and nephritis, nephrosonephritis, glomerulonephritis, severe forms pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis.

Side effects:

• Allergic reactions, irritation of the renal parenchyma.
• Reduces the content of vitamin B1 (thiamine), so you can not take alcohol.
• Not recommended for children as it contains traces of nicotine.
• Washes out salts, so it is not recommended for severe cardiac arrhythmia.

Interaction:

• Do not use if you are already using drugs with nicotinic acid, even if it
  nicotine patches, gum.
• When taking medications that regulate the rhythm of the heart (digoxin, woolly foxglove derivatives), horsetail should not be taken.
• Forbidden simultaneous reception horsetail and other drugs that speed up urination. This threatens to wash out calcium.

Recipes using horsetail herb

Important!

• Before treatment with horsetail, visit a doctor to clarify the diagnosis, identify contraindications and study the interaction of medications taken.
• Do not change the recommended dosages!
• Do not continue treatment for more than a month in a row!
• Drink more liquid!

It is used as follows:

• infusions;
• decoctions;
• tinctures;
• baths;
• compresses for sweating feet;
• rinsing to strengthen hair, cleanse the skin.

Dosages - how much to hang in grams:

1. Infusion: 2 dessert spoons per cup of boiling water.
2. Decoction: To one part of grass, 10 parts of water.
3. Tea: 3 teaspoons per glass of water.
4. Tincture: for one part of grass, five parts of vodka.
5. Forcompresses: for 0.5 liters of water 5 g of grass.
6. Forbaths: Pour 70 g of horsetail with a liter of boiling water, insist, strain, add to bath water.
7. Forointments: evaporate to half the volume of the decoction and mix with oil. The ratio is 1:4.
8. Forrinsing hair, wiping: evaporate the broth in a water bath to a thick state.

Since field horsetail lives on all continents except Australia, almost all peoples have experience with its use. Summarizing the international experience of treatment, we can add to the already indicated diseases:

1. enuresis;
2. nasal and uterine bleeding;
3. baldness;
4. sweating of the legs;
5. furunculosis;
6. sore throat.

So, the ancient, primitive plant horsetail is the most valuable source of medicinal substances. He is able to get rid of a wide variety of ailments. But it should be used only after consulting a doctor. It is important to take into account the contraindications of horsetail, take into account its interaction with other drugs, follow the recommended dosages and rules for taking.