It's no secret how unique medicinal plants are in their properties and characteristics. Many of them are considered remedies for all diseases, not even figuratively, but literally. One of these is horsetail. Medicinal properties, contraindications for use, methods of use, scientifically proven facts, we will present the characteristics of this herbal preparation below. Consider also the reviews of people who have used such treatment.
What is this?
Before introducing the medicinal properties of horsetail and its contraindications, let's get acquainted with this plant.
Pine, pusher, ponytail - these are the names of the same horsetail. This is the name of a herbaceous perennial plant from the Horsetail family. It is distributed in many climatic zones of the globe - temperate, tropical and subarctic, fromIceland to Alaska.
As for the spaces of the Russian Federation, the post-Soviet states, here horsetail (healing properties, contraindications will be presented later) is ubiquitous. The only exceptions will be the northern and southern desert regions. Horsetail prefers the following areas:
- Forestlands.
- Floodplain meadows.
- Shrub thickets.
- River valleys.
- Fields.
- Sandbanks.
The plant can also be found in the mountains - up to the subalpine zone. It likes moderately moist or sandy soils. Horsetail, which is widely used in medicine, is inherently a weed. And it's very hard to get it out.
If you look at the photo, you will surely note to yourself that you have definitely seen this small herringbone-shaped plant with a small knob at the top in nature. It is also common among pharmacologists and folk herbalists. But the use of horsetail medicinal properties (there are also contraindications) is not limited.
Its young spring shoots are eaten. Moreover, both fresh and after heat treatment. Add to baked goods, casseroles, sauces. Consume horsetail for food and many wild animals. As for agricultural, eating this plant can cause poisoning in horses and cattle.
Morphological description
Horsetail herb, medicinal properties, contraindications for the use of which will be announced later, as we have decided, is very common in the Russian Federation, andin the world. The plant can reach a maximum height of 40-50 cm. It is distinguished by a creeping long rhizome, on which short tuber-shaped branches appear. They are necessary for vegetative propagation of horsetail. They also accumulate nutrients.
As for shoots, they are divided into two types:
- Generative. Unbranched, pinkish, brown. They are distinguished by triangular leaf teeth. After the spores mature, the shoots either die off or turn green. Then lateral branches are formed, which makes them indistinguishable from vegetative shoots. The main difference is the oval or cylindrical spore-bearing spikelet.
- Vegetative. Horsetail grass (healing properties, contraindications are known to scientists) green hue. Inside, such shoots are hollow. They are either erect or rise slightly above the ground. They diverge into branches with a smooth surface.
Leaf teeth are combined into whorls, which can either grow together or remain free. The branches here are simple or slightly branched. The plant has no flowers - it reproduces by spores.
Collecting and preparing the drug
The barren spring shoots of the plant are collected for medicinal use already in the summer. They are simply cut with a knife, sickle or other sharp tool. Dry further under sheds or in attics. Dried shoots are placed in linen bags, paper bags. Shelf life of blanks - no more than 4 years.
Chemical composition
The use of horsetail grass is determined by the chemical properties of this plant (its ground part):
- Carbohydrates. In particular: arabinose, pectin, galactose, xylose, glucose.
- Resins.
- Carotene.
- Saponins.
- Vitamin C.
- Tannins.
- Mineral s alts.
- Flavonoids.
- S alts of silicic acid.
- Alkaloids.
- A group of organic acids: malic, nicotinic, aconitic, quinic, fumaric, oxalic, gluconic.
- Phenolcarboxylic acids: gallic, caffeic, protocatechuic, vanillic, ferulic).
- Bitterness.
- Fatty oils.
Therapeutic complex effect
Why is the use of horsetail herb useful? The above chemical composition determines the cumulative therapeutic effect of taking this herbal preparation:
- The galenic components of the plant have pronounced anti-inflammatory and hemostatic properties. And, I must say, they are superior to the common renal fees for the diuretic effect. In addition, they accelerate tissue regeneration (especially in tuberculosis processes), promote the proliferation of connective tissue, activate the adrenal cortex, and normalize phosphorus-calcium metabolism in the body.
- Flavonoids have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
- According to the instructions for the use of horsetail, the plant helps to eliminate lead from the body.
- Silicon compounds improve flowmetabolic processes in the body, improve the condition of connective tissues, mucous membranes, vascular walls. The role of silicic acid for the development of bone tissue is invaluable. Also, these compounds prevent the formation of stones and the crystallization of s alts in human urine.
- Since, according to the instructions for use, horsetail has a strong diuretic effect, it is also a fairly effective means for losing weight. But in this case, it must be used with caution, as minerals are washed out of the body along with urine.
Scientific research
We presented a photo of horsetail in the article. Medicinal properties, contraindications to the use of this drug have been identified on the basis of a number of scientific studies of the plant. Let's get acquainted with the most significant of them:
- The first mention of the medicinal unique properties of horsetail was contained in the writings of Pliny, Avicenna, dating back to the 1st century. BC e. In particular, it was characterized as a hemostatic agent.
- For the first time, domestic scientists investigated the medicinal properties of horsetail in the 40s of the last century.
- The presence of field phenolcarboxylic acids and flavonoid compounds in horsetail was proven by Czech researchers in 1980. They used thin layer chromatography.
- Not so long ago, in 2008, scientists of the Siberian Medical State University proved in laboratory conditions the diuretic, antifungal, antitoxic, anti-exudative properties of horsetail as inexternal and internal use of preparations from it.
- In 2014, on the basis of the Kursk Medical University, an experiment was conducted to study the diuretic activity of horsetail infusion on outbred white rats. An increase in diuresis in the experimental group of animals by 95.7% was found.
Healing properties
Now the main topic of our material. We begin our acquaintance with the medicinal properties of horsetail, contraindications to its use. The plant is characterized by a whole range of positive effects on the body:
- Anthelmintic.
- Antimicrobial.
- Hemostatic.
- Anspasmodic.
- Diuretic
- Expectorant.
- Astringent.
- General tonic.
- Antiseptic.
- Wound healing.
Indications for use
Now to the properties and uses of horsetail. The medicinal plant is used for the following diseases, injuries, pathologies:
- Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity: gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease, tonsillitis. With adenoids, horsetail helps fight swelling, inflammation, and allows you to return to normal breathing.
- Fungal infections caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, rubrum, Aspergillus niger, Microsporum canis.
- Upper respiratory tract catarrh, bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis.
- Ischemic heart disease.
- Pathologies of the musculoskeletal system: arthritis,sciatica, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, bone fractures.
- duodenal ulcer, pancreatitis, cholecystitis.
- Pathologies of metabolism in the body: mild to moderate diabetes mellitus, overweight, gout.
- Congestion caused by insufficient cardiac or respiratory function, which can be expressed as both internal and external edema: congenital heart defects, pleurisy, heart failure.
- Diseases of the urinary system: cystitis, urethritis, KSD, pyelitis.
- Atherosclerosis of the vascular system of the heart and central nervous system.
- Uterine, hemorrhoidal and nosebleeds.
- Metrorrhagia and similar inflammatory processes.
- Inadequate intake of minerals, violation of their absorption in the elderly.
- Tuberculosis of the skin and lungs (additional treatment with chemotherapy).
- Acute and chronic lead poisoning.
- Chronic external purulent sluggish wounds, abscesses and ulcers.
- Lichen, eczema, boils, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, dermatitis.
- Hyperkeratosis, dandruff, baldness, seborrhea of the scalp.
For diseases of the respiratory system
This natural remedy helps fight chronic cough, wheezing in bronchitis and even pulmonary tuberculosis. Due to the high content of silicon, this medicinal plant provides effective help in other lung diseases.
With sore throat, inflammation of the gums and other diseases of the oral cavity, the patient's condition will facilitate the use of horsetail decoction.
Problems with the circulatory system
And here horsetail will be effective. The plant is used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, long healing wounds. It is also indicated for heavy bleeding for various reasons. For example, fresh juice of a plant or a decoction of its shoots is prescribed for diarrhea with blood, the appearance of blood in the urine.
With varicose veins, horsetail preparations are effectively used for both treatment and prevention of the disease. Another great use is helping women suffering from heavy menstrual bleeding.
Wound healing effect
Many people value horsetail as a wound healing agent. The use of plant infusions is effective for ulcers, eczema, boils, festering, chronic wounds. It is used for bedsores to normalize the condition of the skin.
Infusion is used to wipe the skin with gout, pleurisy, rheumatism. It also relieves the condition of the patient suffering from joint diseases.
Urinary cleansing effect
Here are the medicinal properties, contraindications, reviews of horsetail. Let's talk more about its other application.
The plant is highly valued as a urinary remedy. If used correctly, it can normalize the functioning of the kidneys and bladder. Moreover, horsetail herb helps to dissolve and remove stones from the body. Metabolism will be normalized, swelling will decrease, the proportion of protein in the urine will decrease.
Grass and young shoots of the plant are also used for cleansingorganism. In particular, in the fight against extra pounds. The plant will help relieve swelling, remove toxins, toxins and other harmful compounds that "clog" tissues. But decoctions and other preparations from horsetail are not recommended for use for these purposes for more than one month.
Home beautician
Horsetail is also valued as an excellent cosmetic home remedy. Preparations are created on the basis of an earthen cone of this plant. In particular, they help increase the absorption of calcium, which results in an improvement in the condition of bone tissue, teeth, nails, hair.
The use of horsetail decoction returns the skin to its normal state - makes it smooth, even, elastic. In parallel, acne, pimples, blackheads and other skin problems are eliminated.
The plant extract is also added to various lotions, baths for excessive sweating. Horsetail is valuable for hair, as it has a high level of silicon in the composition. This component helps to normalize the production of collagen, which normalizes the condition of the hair, activates hair growth. Blood circulation improves, "sleeping" hair follicles awaken. Hair acquires elasticity, shine, he althy glow.
In addition, it is an excellent prevention of scalp diseases. If you systematically use horsetail products, it will help get rid of such a serious problem as baldness.
Reviews
If we turn to the reviews, we will see that most of those who use horsetail for treatment used itas a diuretic. The authors of the responses warn that with this application it is a strong enough remedy, so it should be used with caution, making sure that there are no contraindications. It is also impossible to delay the treatment, since horsetail helps to remove from the body, along with urine, useful elements necessary for the body.
In second place is the use of horsetail as a wound healing, hemostatic agent. Most reviewers find it very intense.
Often the use of a decoction of horsetail for diseases of the oral cavity, respiratory tract. Well, here it is effective as an additional, not the main drug.
Deserved praise horsetail and as a cosmetic product. Many reviewers note that the plant helped them restore he althy hair, gain luxurious hair. At the same time, there are those who did not see any positive or negative effects from using the plant.
Reviewers do not only use fees and preparations based on horsetail from pharmacies. There are many people who make their own. Fortunately, horsetail is common in the vastness of the Russian Federation. The plant is not capricious in drying and storage. It is enough to keep it in a dry cool dark place.
Contraindications
In the article we present photos, contraindications, medicinal properties of horsetail. It remains to analyze the last important topic.
The following contraindications to taking funds based on thisplants:
- Nephrosis, jade.
- Profuse internal bleeding.
- Pregnancy (the plant causes uterine contractions).
- Lactation period.
- Individual intolerance to this drug.
- Children under 3 years old.
Speaking about the medicinal properties of horsetail herb, contraindications to its use, it is important to note that this remedy cannot be used for more than three months in a row:
- Horsetail contains the enzyme thiaminase. It is able to break down vitamin B1, which is why long-term use can lead to a deficiency of this vitamin in the body.
- Long-term use of horsetail also leads to a lack of potassium in the body. Together with the diuretic effect of horsetail, this can lead to the development of hypokalemia.
Means containing horsetail are also forbidden to be taken in combination with lithium preparations. The natural excretion of the latter from the body is slowed down, which is fraught with corresponding consequences.
Familiarity with the medicinal properties, contraindications, reviews of horsetail as a medication is not enough for its safe use. The use of this remedy in therapy must be agreed with your doctor!
Horsetail is a truly universal medicinal plant. There is a wide range of diseases, pathologies, he alth problems in which its use as a preventive, therapeutic agent is effective. But do not forget about contraindications. Therefore, you can use horsetail only after consulting a specialist.
