Horsetail, a plant related to the fern, has some medicinal uses.
Ancient Romans and Greeks were among the first cultures to use the horsetail herb for its medicinal properties. These ancient civilizations used the herb to treat several different diseases and conditions including ulcers, tuberculosis and kidney problems. The herb is still used for medicinal purposes in modern medicine, although few studies have been conducted regarding its effects. Horsetail is available as a dried herb and also as a liquid preparation.
Diuretic
Horsetail has been used as a diuretic to increase urine for centuries. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) rates horsetail as a grade B for use as a diuretic, which means there is good scientific evidence for its use. The NIH warns that they need more scientific studies to determine if horsetail is safe for specific health conditions, such as urinary tract infections and kidney stones. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, one study did conclude that horsetail increased urine output in people with a history of uric acid kidney stones, which suggests it may be a helpful treatment for patients suffering from kidney stones.
Bone Strengthener
Horsetail is sometimes used as a treatment for osteoporosis because it is a natural source of silicon, a mineral that helps strengthen bones and increase bone density. The NIH gives horsetail a C rating for treating osteoporosis, which means there is not clear scientific evidence supporting its use. The NIH does note that some human studies report benefits from using horsetail in patients with osteoporosis, but more solid research is needed before they can make a sound recommendation supporting its use. The main study involving the use of horsetail for osteoporosis treatment involved 122 Italian women who took horsetail or a combination of horsetail and calcium. Both groups did increase bone density, but the University of Maryland Medical Center states the study was poorly designed.
Precautions and Interactions
Though horsetail has positive effects in some patients with certain diseases or conditions, negative side effects and drug interactions can occur in some people as well. Always check with your doctor before taking any new medication, including herbal medications. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that prolonged use of horsetail may not be safe, even when it is taken in proper dosages. Horsetail can cause B1 vitamin levels to drop, so people who take horsetail regularly should also take a multi-vitamin or B-complex supplement. People who drink alcohol regularly often have lower B1 levels so patients should avoid alcohol while taking horsetail. Horsetail supplements contain some nicotine, which can lead to an overdose in people who use nicotine patches or gum in combination with horsetail. People who have diabetes, gout, heart conditions or kidney disorders should not take horsetail unless specifically advised to do so, as the herb can aggravate these conditions.
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