Wildcrafted and Spagyrically Prepared Horsetail Tincture
Great for Prostate, Bones, Diuretic and More
Horsetail is one of the oldest plants on earth. Back when the dinosaurs roamed the earth, Horsetail was around, though back then it was tree-sized!
It’s also one of the few plants that reproduce through spores (see an interesting video about that down below).
One of its most notable minerals is silicon, also referred to as silica. As much as 25% of the dry weight of the plant is silica. This has long been recognized by herbalists, but science is beginning to catch up. “Researchers believe that the medicinal property of Horsetail is due to its high silica content.” 10
Benefits of Horsetail
- Supports Bones, Joints and Connective Tissues
- Promotes Hair, Skin, and Nail Growth through Collagen
- Strong Herbal Diuretics
- Supports Healthy Prostate Function
- Much more…
In more detail… Silica is theorized to be important for bones, joints and connective tissues, in helping to absorb and utilize calcium among other functions. One study found that Horsetail helped women’s bone strength.2 In addition, it supports hair, nail and skin growth through boosts in collagen production.
One study found that it helped women with thinning hair.3 Topical use has been shown to support fingernails.
Horsetail is an astringent herb while being diuretic. In fact, it is considered one of the strongest herbal diuretics, through its flavonoids and saponins, increasing urination up to 30%.4 What’s more is that it somehow does this without changing electrolyte balance as drugs do.
These properties and more have been used to assist in kidney stones.
Some of its historical uses include using for wound health, ulcers, fractures, gout, rheumatism, loss of hair, and more. It is considered a specific remedy for inflammation or enlargement of the prostate.5
Energetically, Horsetail corresponds to Saturn and the Root Chakra. Sajah Popham has this to say about Horsetail, “There is an ancient memory stored within these plants, and alchemically it’s said to operate upon old karmic patterns lodged deep within the psyche, manifesting through the bones.”
About Harvesting and Preparation
The species most commonly used is Equisetum arvense, but this tincture is made with the variety found in the Santa Cruz mountains, Equisetum telmateia, also known as Great Horsetail or Northern Giant Horsetail. It’s wildcrafted.
It grows near streams and rivers commonly in this area, but I recently came across a location that had the largest amount I’d ever seen.
After harvesting and cleaning, the Horsetail was macerated in a mixture of organic cane alcohol and fresh spring water.
Once the tincturing was complete, the marc (leftover Horsetail) was calcined, ground and further purified for the “salts” which would include the important silica and other trace minerals.
This alchemical or spagyric method is especially important for a Horsetail tincture as the salts is where much of the benefits are found.
These were combined back into the tincture for the final product which was then bottled to make ready for you.
Contraindications
- Not recommended for people with kidney problems (besides stones) due to increased urination.
- Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women as it is untested for safety.
There are two reported instances of possible drug interactions between Horsetail and antiretroviral drugs (which include Efavirenz, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir).
Isn’t Nature Fun?
This is totally aside, but I stumbled across it while researching Horsetail. These spores can walk and jump using legs known as elators.6
This video is worth watching, at least the first minute or so.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.