Equisetum arvense
(Shave grass, Horsetail)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Astringent
• Causes diuresis without altering the electrolyte balance
• Diuretic
• Hemostatic
• Increases connective tissue tone and resistance
• Styptic
• Urinary astringent
• Urinary tonic

Clinical Indications:

• Cystitis
• Osteoporosis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Stress Incontinence
• Enuresis
• Edema of the legs due to metabolic disorders
• Hematuria
• Prostatitis
• Renal calculi
• Urethritis
• UTI

Contraindications:

• Cardiovascular problems
• Hypertension
• Pregnant

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Diuretic effect can cause loss of potassium and may potentiate the toxic effects of digitalis and its cardiac glycosides
• Promotes the breakdown of thaimine

Chemical Constituents:

• Alkaloids:
  
  Nicotine
  Palustrine
  Palustrinine
• Flavonoids
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Potassium
• Silica
• Saponins:
  
  Equisetonin
• Sulphur
• Tannin

Toxicity:

• When used chronically, may produce beri-beri like symptoms:
  
  Acute cerebral symptoms
  Cardiac symptoms
  Peripheral neuropathy

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).