COLA de CABALLO or SHAVE GRASS 25 tea bags (TADIN) HORSETAIL Scientific Name Equisetum L. Family Name Equisetaceae Common Name Horsetail, Scouring rush, Bottle brush, Cola de caballo Helps flush infectious bacteria from the bladder Today, horsetail continues to have medicinal value. The plant's stems are rich in silica and silicic acids, which help mend broken bones and form collagen, an important protein found in connective tissue, skin, bone, cartilage, and ligaments. Therefore, horsetail is used as a supplement to treat and prevent osteoporosis.

Medicinal Uses and Indications Horsetail has not been extensively studied in people, but professional herbalists recognize that the herb has diuretic (promotes the excretion of urine) properties that may be useful for the following health problems:

Urinary tract infections Kidney stones Horsetail may also be effective in supportive therapy for osteoporosis, increasing bone density. Horsetail also can be applied externally to treat the following conditions:

Burns (first-degree) Fractures Rheumatic conditions Sprains Wounds (never apply topical herbal supplements to open wounds) In one study in people in 1999, 122 Italian women took horsetail dry extract or Osteosil calcium 270 mg twice daily (a horsetail-calcium combination used in Italy for osteoporosis and fractures). After a year of therapy, a statistically significant improvement in bone density was reported in both the horsetail and Osteosil calcium groups, with an average improvement of 2.3 % in vertebral bone density in the Osteosil group.

Horsetail is also used to treat infections of the urinary tract, kidney, and bladder stones; and as an antioxidant.

Some studies have found that horsetail also may help improve memory and cognitive function. It may also have anticonvulsant properties.



Available Forms Horsetail is available in the following forms:

Dried herb Liquid preparations Horsetail preparations should be stored in well-sealed containers to ensure protection from light.



How to Take It Pediatric

For fractures, adjust the recommended adult dose to account for the child's weight. Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 - 25 kg), the appropriate dose of horsetail for this child would be 1/3 of the adult dosage.

Adult

Herbal infusion (tea): 2 - 3 teaspoonfuls, 3 times daily. Pour hot water onto herb and steep for 5 - 10 minutes. Drink as directed. Tincture (1:5): 1 - 4 mL, 3 times daily Standardized dose: 300 mg, 3 times daily, standardized to contain 10 - 15 % silica External (compresses): 10 g of herb per 1 liter water daily Adequate fluid should be consumed when taking horsetail preparations by mouth.



Precautions The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, contain components that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a qualified health care provider trained in the field of botanical medicine.

Horsetail remedies prepared from Equisetum arvense are generally considered safe. Another species of horsetail, however, called Equisetum palustre is poisonous to horses. Although it is not known for certain that E. palustre would have the same effect on people, it should never be ingested. Most commercial preparations of horsetail are not contaminated with E. palustre. However, be sure to buy products made by an established company with a good reputation that distributes their products through trustworthy and knowledgeable establishments. Whenever possible, select products with guaranteed potency or standardized extracts.

Prolonged use of even the safe form of horsetail ( E. arvense ) is also not advised.

Taking horsetail by mouth may deplete vitamin B6 (thiamin) from the body. It is recommended that if you take horsetail on a regular basis, you should also take a quality multiple vitamin or at least a B complex supplement daily.

People with heart or kidney disorders should not use horsetail. If you drink alcohol on a regular basis, it is not advised to take horsetail due to vitamin B6 (thiamin) depletion by the herb.



Possible Interactions The diuretic effects of horsetail may enhance the toxic effects of certain medications, such as digoxin (used to treat congestive heart failure), phenytoin (for seizures), anticoagulants, and others. For this reason, people taking prescription medications should not take horsetail without first consulting a health care provider.