Effect:
hemostatic, astringent, diuretic, strengthening, tissue-firming, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, expectorant, antibacterial, antiseptic
Areas of application:
Skin, connective tissue, inflammation, wounds, as a blood purifier, cleanses the kidneys, bladder and stomach, vomiting blood from stomach ulcers, chronic liver inflammation, hair loss, brittle finger and toenails, athlete's foot, intervertebral disc problems, sciatica, inflammation of the nail bed, bedwetting, incontinence, Renal pelvis and bladder infections, kidney grit, water retention (edema), stretch marks during pregnancy, stops bleeding from wounds, makes hair strong, strong teeth and bones, tooth decay, osteoporosis, nasal congestion, mucous bronchi, sore throat, strengthens the body's immune system, increases brain function and cognition
Plant parts used:
the whole herb
Collection time:
Spring to autumn, only the young herb
To find:
On the edges of meadows and on embankments.
Ingredients:
Silica, tannin, potassium salts, flavonoids, saponins, magnesium, sodium
Miscellaneous:
☕ Tea: 1 teaspoon is poured with 1/4 liter of cold water and left for 1/2 day. You can also scald it with hot water and let it steep for 1/2 hour.
🛀🏼 Bath: Boil 5 tablespoons of the dried herb in a liter of warm water and simmer covered over low heat for 10 minutes. Then drain through a sieve and add to the hot bath water. Stay in the bath for at least 10 minutes.
Horsetail has richly branched, hairy rhizomes that can go up to 1.60 m deep into the ground. The leaves are not true leaves and do not photosynthesize. They are arranged in whorls. Photosynthesis takes place in the hollow green stems. The stems are articulated and have 3 to 40 ribs. There may be whorls of branches at the nodes. This perennial plant has no flowers and does not form seeds. It reproduces exclusively through spores.
🛑 Field horsetail should only be taken moderately and for a limited time. Long-term use may cause side effects such as thiamine deficiency, potassium deficiency, low blood sugar levels, nicotine toxicity and kidney irritation. The plant is not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Horsetail, field horsetail, is easily confused with other types of horsetail. Of the species, there are extremely poisonous ones. So you should be 100% sure whether this plant is horsetail and if not, consult a professional. So only the green, fresh shoots may be collected, not shoots with spores! A distinguishing feature is that the lowest link is significantly longer than the others.
The decoction of field horsetail makes a good rinse when washing your head and makes your hair nice and loose.
In the past, horsetail was used to clean tin vessels due to its high silica content.
Field horsetail is a source of sodium and magnesium.
Hildegard von Bingen: Sniffing sheep hay powder stops nosebleeds. Likewise, moisten a cloth with the juice and bring it into your nose; the bleeding will stop.