Use(s) or Purpose(s)
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- Treats urinary system disorders (adjuvant)
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- Treating bedwetting. Used for diuresis, edema, kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections, incontinence, and general disturbances of the kidney and bladder.
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- Used for alopecia; tuberculosis; jaundice; hepatitis; brittle fingernails; rheumatic diseases; gout; osteoarthritis; osteoporosis; frostbite; weight loss; menorrhagia; and nasal, pulmonary, and gastric hemorrhage.
Risk Information
Caution(s) and Warning(s)
When used orally long-term. Horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that can cause thiamine deficiency. In Canada, horsetail products are required to be thiaminase-free, but there’s not enough reliable information to know if thiaminase-free products are safe.
Contraindication(s)
Horsetail is thought to have diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to these potential diuretic effects, horsetail might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased. ARECA: Consuming horsetail with areca might increase the risk of thiamine deficiency. Areca (betel) nuts reduce thiamine activity, probably by chemical inactivation. Horsetail contains thiaminase, which breaks down thiamine. CHROMIUM-CONTAINING HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS: Horsetail contains chromium (0.0006%) and could increase the risk of chromium toxicity when taken with chromium supplements or chromium-containing herbs such as bilberry, brewer’s yeast, cascara, chromium, or horsetail. THIAMINE: Crude horsetail contains thiaminase, which breaks down thiamine. Chronic ingestion in animals has been associated with thiamine deficiency. DIABETES: Other horsetail species have hypoglycemic activity. It is unclear whether horsetail has hypoglycemic effects. Until more is known, use with caution in patients with diabetes. HYPOKALEMIA: Other horsetail species have diuretic activity and can increase the excretion of potassium. Until more is known, use with caution in patients who are at risk for potassium deficiency. THIAMINE DEFICIENCY: Theoretically, horsetail can cause or exacerbate thiamine deficiency.
Known Adverse Reaction(s)
Orally, crude horsetail may lead to thiamine deficiency with prolonged consumption. Canadian products are required to be certified as free from thiaminase-like effect. Horsetail has also been associated with cross allergenicity with carrots. Horsetail contains tiny amounts of nicotine and may cause nicotine allergy or theoretically, nicotine toxicity if taken in large quantities. Topically, horsetail can cause seborrheic dermatitis.
We Find Horsetail In:
References:
Passeport Santé. Approches complémentaires. Produits de santé naturels. http://www.passeportsante.net/fr/solutions/PlantesSupplements/Index.aspx
Google Images. http://www.google.ca/images