WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HORSETAIL?
Family: Equisetaceae
Genus: Equisetum
Other common names: scouring rush, puzzlegrass, candock, snake grass.
Horsetail is a perennial plant that belongs to the only living genus Equisetum in the Equisetaceae family. The herb dates back to the Palaeozoic era and is often considered a living fossil. It usually grows in the temperate climatic zones and prefers damp and moist areas. The plant is referred to as ‘horsetail’ due to the fact that it resembles the tail of a horse in appearance. It is a thin spore plant that can grow up to 30 cm in height. Horsetail propagates via its spores. The non-photosynthetic leaves are arranged in whorls. The stems are green, photosynthetic, hollow and ridged. The rhizome is very strong and deep. As a rule, the herb has two stages of growth. During the first stage (usually in spring) an upright hollow stem similar to asparagus appears. During the second stage (in summer) the plant begins to branch out. And during this very stage horsetail should be picked up for medicinal purposes.
Parts used: above-ground parts.
Chemical Composition of Horsetail
- Vitamins A, B2, B3, B5, C, E
- Minerals (calcium, silicon, iron, chromium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, zinc)
- Flavonoids
- Tannins
- Saponins
- Phytosterols
- Fatty acids
- Silicic acids
- Dietary fiber
Interesting Horsetail Facts
- A horsetail stem is covered with silica so it’s often used to polish metal surfaces.
- In many areas horsetail is considered an invasive plant and a weed.
- Horsetail is widely used in cosmetology. Nowadays, there are a lot of cosmetic products for hair on the basis of horsetail such as shampoos, balms, sprays and conditioners.
Horsetail Hair Rinse Recipe for Shiny and Strong Hair
What you need:
- 8 cups of water
- 2 cups of fresh horsetail
Bring the water to a boil. Pour it over the horsetail herb and let the mixture steep for about 15-20 minutes. Strain and cool the mixture. Use it every time you wash your hair.
