• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Wellness Mama script logo

Wellness Mama®

Simple Answers for Healthier Families

  • About
  • Favorites
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Health
  • Natural Home
  • Motherhood
  • Mindset
  • Natural Remedies
  • Beauty
  • Organization
  • Travel
  • Reviews
  • Recipes
Herb Profile-Horsetail Shavegrass Uses and Benefits
  • Natural Remedies

Benefits and Uses of Horsetail (Shavegrass)

Katie WellsSep 19, 2019Updated: Jul 31, 2021
Dr. Lauren Jefferis, MD
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lauren Jefferis, MD
Reading Time: 5 min

This post contains affiliate links.
Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Benefits and Uses of Horsetail (Shavegrass)
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What Is Horsetail?
  • Horsetail Benefits+−
    • High in Nutrients and Antioxidants
    • Promotes Bone Health
    • Fights Illness and Infection
    • Has Diuretic Properties
    • Supports Hair, Skin, and Nail Health
  • Horsetail Uses
  • Is Horsetail Safe? Additional Notes
  • Where to Buy Horsetail

I’ve been using herbs and herbal preparations for years now to treat mild issues at home. Horsetail (also called shavegrass) is an herb that I always keep in the herb cabinet (which is what I have instead of a medicine cabinet!). It has been my go-to for hair, skin, and nail health but I am still learning that there are even more benefits and uses of horsetail herb.

What Is Horsetail?

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a medicinal plant used for remedies that dates back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. But it has been around much longer, as early as before the dinosaurs. Prehistoric horsetail was much taller, the size of a tree, but today’s horsetail reaches just about 4 feet tall. Horsetail is thought to be the most abundant source of silica in the plant kingdom. Because of this, it has been used in the past to polish metal.

The above-ground part of the plant is what is used for herbal medicine. It has been used traditionally for many ailments and to support natural health:

  • Hair, bone, nail, and skin health
  • Mouth and throat health
  • Healing wounds
  • Viral infections
  • Digestion help
  • Cardiovascular and respiratory ailments
  • Bladder problems (including bed-wetting)
  • Bleeding issues
  • Immune system support

While herbalists have used horsetail for traditional remedies for many years, there isn’t a lot of scientific data to support its use. However, the small amount of research that is available is promising and makes a case for further research.

Horsetail Benefits

Horsetail has many uses in traditional herbal medicine. Science is also beginning to back up these claims. Here are some of the most common benefits of horsetail:

High in Nutrients and Antioxidants

One of the most interesting benefits of horsetail is how nutrient dense it is. Horsetail contains the following nutrients:

  • Vitamin C
  • B vitamins
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin K
  • Electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Copper

Horsetail also contains Kynurenic acid, which reduces inflammation and pain, as well as silica, which supports collagen production. It also contains chlorophyll, known to fight cancer by preventing the cytotoxic and hyperproliferative effects of iron metabolism.

Additionally, research suggests that horsetail has antioxidant properties and may even inhibit cancer cell growth because of this.

Promotes Bone Health

The high level of silica in horsetail is one of its main health benefits. Silica is important for bone and teeth health among other things. In a 1999 study, post-menopausal women with osteoporosis regained significant bone density after 1 year of supplementation of horsetail.

Fights Illness and Infection

Traditional herbalists use horsetail on wounds, especially boils and carbuncles. It turns out this use is scientifically backed. Horsetail has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help with disease and infection. One 2006 study tested horsetail essential oil on a number of bacteria and fungi like Staph, Salmonella, and Candida. It was found to have a broad spectrum effect on all strains tested.

Has Diuretic Properties

Horsetail has been used traditionally as a diuretic and to treat bladder issues for centuries. A 2014 study found that horsetail works as well as a conventional diuretic medicine (hydrochlorothiazide) without side effects such as significant changes to liver or kidney function or electrolyte balance.

Additionally, many diuretic drugs cause electrolyte issues but this study found that horsetail does not cause the same issues. This may be because horsetail is also a good source of electrolytes.

Supports Hair, Skin, and Nail Health

Horsetail has also been used traditionally for hair, skin, and nail health. It’s thought that the high silica content of horsetail is the reason why it works. Silica helps boost collagen production which is important for healthy hair, skin, and nail.

Science backs this up too. A 2016 study found that hair with high amounts of silica was less likely to fall out and was also more lustrous than hair with lower levels of silica.

Horsetail can even help regrow hair after hair loss. According to this 2012 study, significant hair growth occurred after 90 and 180 days of supplementing with horsetail herb.

One study published in the Journal of Plastic Dermatology found that using horsetail topically on nails reduced splitting and fragility of nails as well as reduced longitudinal grooves.

Additionally, a 2015 study found horsetail ointment helped heal episiotomy wounds and reduced pain associated with it.

Horsetail Uses

I often use this herb, especially in external preparations due to its skin/hair supportive high silica content:

  • Increase bone density – Take a supplement of horsetail with calcium daily.
  • As an herbal hair rinse – I brew a strong herbal tea (1/2 cup horsetail to 1 cup water), steep for an hour, strain and use as a hair rinse in the shower.
  • For boils and blisters – I grind the dried herb with plantain and add enough water to create a paste and then pack on to boils or blisters and cover with gauze to speed healing.
  • For nails – Use horsetail oil on nails to improve strength and reduce breakage and splitting.
  • As diuretic – Drink horsetail tea to remove excess water.
  • Sore throat – For sore throat, I make a gargle with a strong horsetail infusion (steeping horsetail in boiling water and then cooling) with sea salt and lemon juice and then gargle with this mixture a few times a day while symptoms persist.
  • Bedwetting/bladder problems – A capsule of horsetail extract two or three times daily may be helpful for alleviating some of the symptoms of bladder and urinary tract infections (although not necessarily solving the problem, see this post on UTIs), incontinence, and even bed wetting because it can relieve the urge to urinate. Or try a bath in horsetail tea (steep dried horsetail in a quart of boiling water for 10-15 minutes and then strain and add to bath).

Is Horsetail Safe? Additional Notes

I avoid this herb when pregnant or nursing (so my whole married life!) but use it externally for hair or skin if needed.

Precautions for using horsetail include:

  • Drink lots of water while taking horsetail
  • Don’t take if you have a kidney problem
  • Check with your doctor if you take medications as some may interact with horsetail (including causing potassium imbalance)
  • Horsetail may lower blood glucose so diabetics should check with their doctor before use
  • Because it contains traces of nicotine, horsetail is not recommended for children
  • Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid horsetail as there aren’t any safety studies
  • Choose a thiaminase-free formula as thiaminase can block absorption of thiamine

Otherwise, horsetail is generally considered safe when taken in short-term use.

Where to Buy Horsetail

There are many places you can purchase it from online, and possibly even locally, but I typically buy it and make it as a tea. This powdered version is a little more convenient you don’t have to steep or strain it. You can also try capsule form, although I haven’t personally.

You can also grow your own horsetail. If you want to try it, start with it in a container since it spreads very easily and may take over your garden!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Lauren Jefferis, board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or work with a doctor at SteadyMD.

Have you ever used horsetail? How did you use it? Tell me below!

Sources
  1. De vogel J, Jonker-termont DS, Van lieshout EM, Katan MB, Van der meer R. Green vegetables, red meat and colon cancer: chlorophyll prevents the cytotoxic and hyperproliferative effects of haem in rat colon. Carcinogenesis. 2005;26(2):387-93.
  2. Cetojevi?-simin DD, Canadanovi?-brunet JM, Bogdanovi? GM, et al. Antioxidative and antiproliferative activities of different horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) extracts. J Med Food. 2010;13(2):452-9.
  3. Corletto, F.. (1999). Female climacteric osteoporosis therapy with titrated horsetail (equisetum arvense) extract plus calcium (osteosil calcium): Randomized double blind study. 50. 201-206.
  4. Radulovi? N, Stojanovi? G, Pali? R. Composition and antimicrobial activity of Equisetum arvense L. essential oil. Phytother Res. 2006;20(1):85-8.
  5. Carneiro DM, Freire RC, Honório TC, et al. Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial to Assess the Acute Diuretic Effect of Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail) in Healthy Volunteers. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:760683.
  6. Araújo LA, Addor F, Campos PM. Use of silicon for skin and hair care: an approach of chemical forms available and efficacy. An Bras Dermatol. 2016;91(3):331–335. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20163986
  7. Glynis A. A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of an Oral Supplement in Women with Self-perceived Thinning Hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(11):28–34.
  8. Sparavigna, Adele & Setaro, Michele & Genet, Margherita & Frisenda, Linda. (2006). Equisetum arvense in a new transungual technology improves nail structure and appearance. Journal of Plastic Dermatology.
  9. Asgharikhatooni A, Bani S, Hasanpoor S, Mohammad Alizade S, Javadzadeh Y. The effect of equisetum arvense (horse tail) ointment on wound healing and pain intensity after episiotomy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2015;17(3):e25637. Published 2015 Mar 31. doi:10.5812/ircmj.25637
Category: Natural RemediesReviewer: Dr. Lauren Jefferis, MD

Share this article

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Print / PDF / Email

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

  • All Posts

You may also enjoy these posts…

uses and benefits of rosemary leaf

Rosemary Benefits and Uses

Peppermint Leaf- Ways to use and recipes

Peppermint Benefits and Uses

Benefits and Uses of Lemon Balm

Gelatin Uses and Benefits plus recipes

Gelatin Uses, Benefits, & Recipes

Benefits of Frankincense Photo (Black)

Frankincense Oil Uses and Benefits

Benefits and uses of thyme

Uses & Benefits of Thyme Herb

Reader Interactions

Discussion (103 Comments)

  1. Jodie

    January 9, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    i just started yesterday, half a cup of dried horsetail herbs with hot water at night. Hoping it will help my hair grow back and skin become clearer

    Reply
  2. Julie

    January 7, 2015 at 9:52 PM

    I’m currently drinking a stong horsetail tea infusion at least once a day to help with a hair loss issue. The silica in the tea seems to strengthen the hair and assist in promoting re-growth. My nails have never been nicer either.

    Reply
  3. Paula Valadez

    December 18, 2014 at 5:35 PM

    There seems to be two horsetail herb plants. Which is which, the right one or are they the same? There is the one that looks soft and green like a bottle brush, then the other looks like long tails that grow straight up. What is the difference and when ordering this herb how do I know which one I got??????

    Reply
  4. Prachi

    November 17, 2014 at 7:57 AM

    My 4 week old baby has reflux and spitting issues.she is not able to sleep in her back for poor esophageal / stomach digestion.i am exclusively breast feeding.can I use horsetsil in moderate?

    Reply
  5. Laura S Peraza

    September 15, 2014 at 4:23 PM

    Interesting, I used horse tail for kidney stones. I had them in both kidneys about 3 years. ago. My mother-in-law has it growing in her front yard. She cut some and I used it for making tea. Washed it real well and boiled it. I don’t recall how long I drank it in between appointments. When I went to the doctor they were surprised, one kidney was completely free of stones and the other the stone had decreased in size. I still got it obliterated but only had to endure the procedure on one kidney instead of both. I’ve been curious of other uses for horse tail and came across your blog. Thanks for the info.

    Reply
  6. anna

    September 1, 2014 at 2:15 PM

    how do we know the difference between horsetail and the great horsetail plant as we’ve heard the latter is poisonous?

    Reply
  7. Higgy

    September 1, 2014 at 12:10 PM

    Hi,
    This is so interesting, thanks Katie!!
    Like others I am over-run by Horsetail and it grows up to 5feet tall in the paddock at the bottom of the garden and I pull it out daily in the garden itself!!
    I have a dog with a slight incontinence problem and I’m running out of options to keep the old boy going 🙁 Other than this a few old bones he is a great lad and not ready to meet his maker yet! I would love to try and help him with what is essentially a weed in the garden but again as above need to know how I use it in it’s raw form to make a tea or infusion?
    Can I use it fresh or does it have to be dry?
    What Dosage would I use for 27KG Border CollieX?
    I have also read elsewhere that you can use Goldenrod with Horstail, again what I grow in the garden!
    If Combining with Horstail how much Goldenrod would I use and how would I use it?
    I also read that Nettles can be used in conjunction to help the bones (again Plentiful here!)
    How would I use the nettles with it?
    Any help or advice would be simply brilliant and very much appreciated.
    And of course you’d be helping to keep my old best friend going for a little bit longer!! 🙂
    Thanks
    Higgy

    Reply
  8. mike hurcum

    August 9, 2014 at 6:59 PM

    Horsetail + horseradish leaves or either alone boiled in water. The water is the best pesticide for plants ever. Have you ever seen bugs on either?

    Reply
  9. Fritzi

    April 30, 2014 at 9:01 PM

    Horsetail grows in my backyard. I need to know whether to use it only in its dry state, or can it be used in a green, freshly harvested state? It is so prolific that I’m pulling it as it crosses ‘baracades’ into unapproved territory. New green, mature green, or dried…please respond.

    Reply
    • Nan

      May 7, 2014 at 9:01 AM

      I’ve read online (while researching silica) that the fresh and/ or ground state are used for polishing tin, so not to be taken internally or you could damage your insides. You could make a tea or throw in the bath for a soak.

      Reply
    • Kathy

      June 19, 2021 at 2:37 PM

      It starts out here in Alaska as stalks and grows into ferns. Check online to make sure you got horsetail and you can use both. Some just seem to stay stalks.

      Reply
    • Kathy

      June 19, 2021 at 2:37 PM

      It can be used fresh or dry. Wash it well first.

      Reply
  10. Larry Goss

    April 14, 2014 at 2:47 PM

    i take ‘ all day energy greens ” and i have noticed my hair in places is turning dark , one of the ingredients is horsetail i would like your comment and if this is what is helping the hair change color how can i accelerate the process thank you

    Reply
« Older Comments
Newer Comments »

Join the Conversation... Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Please read the comment policy.

Recipe Rating




The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service, Full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Affiliate Disclosure, and Comment Policy. Content may not be reproduced in any form. Ads provided by CafeMedia Family & Parenting Network. Displayed ads do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by Wellness Mama.


Content

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Favorites
  • Wellnesse

Support

  • Newsletter
  • Podcast Application
  • Medical Review Board
  • My Books
  • Sitemap
  • Contact

Policies

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Full Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Promo Guidelines
  • Comment Policy

Join the
Wellness Mama Tribe!


Copyright © 2023 · Wellness Mama® · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding