Botanical Name: Equisetum arvense

Common Name:

English: Horsetail
Also, known as: Shavegrass, Horse pipes, Horsetail, Horsetail grass, Horsetail rush, Horse willow, Hvoshtsh, Jeinsol, Jointed rush, Kannenkraut, Kattestaart, Kilkah asb, Kloelfting, Koniogon, Kosa tiruma, Krypfraken, Librus, Macho, Mare’s tail, Meadow pine, Acker-schachtelhalm, acherschachtelhalm, ager-padderokke, Akersnelle,Akerfräken, Ackerschachtelhalm, Dhanab al khail, Dhanab el khayl, Dhanab et faras, Dutch rushes, Equiseto menor, Equiseto dei boschi, Equiseto dei campi, Equisette, Equisetto, Erva carnuda, False horse-tail, Field horsetail, Foxtail, Akkerpaardestaart, At kuyrugi, Baimbap, At quyroughi, Belcho, Bottlebrush, Brusca, Cauda de cavalo, Chieh hsu ts’ao, Coada calului, Coda cavallina, Coda equine, Cola de caballo, Common horsetail, Corn horsetail, Gongbangcho, Heermoes, Horse-pipe, Moeraspaardestaart, Mokjeok, Moonhyung, Scouring rush, Shvita, Snake grass, Soettgi, Soksae, Sugina, Toadpipe, Tolkatshnik, Tomahwang, Tsukushi, Vara de oro, Wen ching, Western horsetail, Paddockpipes, Peltokorte, Pest’shi, Petite prele, Pewterwort, Pildoochae, Pildooyeup, Pine grass, Pinetop, Polevaja sosenka, Prele, Prele des champs, Poldosi, Queue de cheval, Queue de rat, Queue de renard, Rabo de cavalo, Rasperella, Ravrumpa, Zinngras, Zinnkraut, Bottlebrush

Origin: Ukraine

Harvested: Wild or cultivated

Parts Used: Stems

General Information:

Equisetum arvense, is among the many species of Horsetail, is an herbaceous perennial root-stock and rhizome which can extend to 2 meters below ground. Two kinds of annual stems are produced from this root-stock: fertile and barren. The separate sterile, non-reproductive and fertile spore-bearing stems growing from a perennial underground rhizomatous steam system. The fertile stem appears after the snow thaws. The fertile stems are produced in early spring and are non-photosynthetic, while the green sterile stems start to grow after the fertile stems have wilted and persist through the summer until the first autumn frosts. This pencil-thick fruiting stem is unbranched and grows to a height of around 12-15 cm; it is pale brown to reddish in color. The stems bear a characteristic brownish-colored, terminal cone-shaped catkin containing whorls of the closely packed palate on which the sporophylls are to be found. At the nodes or joints of the stem, the sheaths are to be found which can grow to a length of up to 2 cm and bear between six to twelve blackish-brown teeth or tips. As soon as the fertile stem withers, a pale green, barren frond appears in the same place, which can grow to a height of 40 cm. Unlike the fruiting stem, whorls of four or five-winged side branches arise from the internodes of the barren stem. The barren stem is furrowed and rough on the surface, this roughness is due to deposits of silicic acid inside the stem.

The plant grows in sand and gravel, along roadsides and railway tracks and in wet places. The Indians and Mexicans used the stems for scouring pots; can also be used for polishing hardwood, ivory, and brass. The name "horsetail", often used for the entire group, arose because the branched species somewhat resemble a horse's tail.

How to use:

Hot Infusion:

The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. Hot water is needed to draw out the antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, flavonoids, and volatile oils from the botanicals. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal tea with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.
You can make ice cubes or pops by freezing tea in ice trays or pop molds.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Horsetail Cut