Horsetail Extract (Equisetum arvense)

Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) was already growing before the dinosaurs – and is still today the reference plant for plant-based silica. But anyone who wants to forage it themselves risks confusing it with a species best avoided. Here is the honest guide from our family drugstore.

A plant older than the dinosaurs

Horsetails have populated the Earth for over 300 million years: in the Carboniferous period their ancestors were trees dozens of metres tall – the forests of giant horsetails are now part of our coal deposits. Today's Equisetum arvense is small but carries the family signature: its segmented stems incorporate silica from the soil. The stems are so abrasive that they were once used to polish pewter and tin – hence the German name Zinnkraut, “tin herb”.

What the research says – honestly

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) recognises pharmaceutical preparations of horsetail as “traditional herbal medicinal products” to increase the amount of urine in minor urinary complaints – a status based on long-standing traditional use. Beyond that, interest centres on silica: horsetail is one of the richest plant sources of this mineral, traditionally associated with hair, nails and tissues. Specific clinical studies on horsetail supplements are still scarce, though: anyone promising guaranteed results for hair and nails is exaggerating.

Our druggist's reading: an extraordinary plant with a solid tradition – a companion for everyday wellbeing, not a medicine. Hair and nails grow slowly: it takes patience, not miracles.

For the garden or for people?

Many people search for “horsetail extract for plants”: that is the well-known horsetail decoction, a natural plant-strengthening brew gardeners use on tomatoes and roses. It is made by boiling the dried herb in water – and it is completely different from a food supplement for people like our liquid extract. Same plant, two worlds: for the garden, the homemade brew is the right path; if you want horsetail's silica for yourself, you need a product for human consumption.

Foraging it yourself? Only if you know what you are doing

Horsetail grows everywhere – but here a clear druggist's word is needed: field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) can be confused with marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre), which contains undesirable alkaloids and should be avoided. The two species sometimes grow just metres apart, and telling them apart takes a trained eye. That is exactly why a laboratory product with controlled botanical identification is not a luxury, but a safety guarantee.

How to use it: forms and dosage

• 1:1 liquid extract – the most concentrated liquid form. Typical dosage: 10 drops in a little water, twice a day, after meals (always follow the label).
• Mother tincture – more diluted (usually 1:10): you need far more drops for the same amount of plant.
• Dry extract capsules – convenient, without the herbaceous taste.
• Tea – the most traditional and mildest form; extracting the silica requires long decoctions.

As always in herbal tradition: regularity over a few weeks – hair and nails have their own pace.

Safety: who should take care

• Kidney or heart problems: anyone with oedema linked to reduced kidney or heart function should consult their doctor before use.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: always check with your doctor first.
• Medication: anyone taking diuretics or other medicines should talk to their doctor.

Our transparency

Our horsetail liquid extract is a food supplement, not a medicine: we offer it in the European herbal tradition, without therapeutic promises. The EMA recognition mentioned above applies to registered medicines, not supplements.

Frequently asked questions

Further reading: the art of dosing and our glossary of natural products.

Informational article by the Gstrein family, Viworo – Lana, South Tyrol. This content is for information purposes and does not replace medical advice. Our extracts are food supplements, not medicines.