Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a perennial herb rich in silicic acid and minerals that herbalism has traditionally used for centuries and that cosmetics today add to hair, skin and nail care. In this article you will learn how it differs from poisonous marsh horsetail, when to be careful with it and how to find it in the Panakeia tincture.
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What field horsetail is
Field horsetail is among the oldest plants on Earth; its related species were already growing here at a time when dinosaurs walked the planet. It is a perennial herb from the horsetail family that does not flower and has no seeds; it reproduces by spores. In spring, brownish fertile stems with a spore-bearing cone at the tip first grow out of the soil; these then die back and are replaced by the familiar green, jointed summer stems with whorls of side branches. It grows in meadows, field margins, fields and along roads throughout Europe, including Slovakia. If you want to have its composition at hand outside the harvesting season too, you can reach for our field horsetail tincture, which we make by hand in Slovakia.
What field horsetail contains
The composition of field horsetail is the reason it is talked about so much. The above-ground part of the plant contains a relatively high proportion of silicic acid, which places it among the plants with the highest natural silicon content in the plant kingdom. You will also find flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, and the minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium. An overview of the phytochemistry of the genus Equisetum can also be found in scientific papers on PubMed. This composition is only a description of what the plant contains, not a claim about what it does in the body. As horsetail has no approved health claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on nutrition and health claims, we prefer to talk about its composition and traditional use rather than its effects on the body. You will find more about its composition in our herbarium too.
Field horsetail in traditional herbalism
Field horsetail has had its place in traditional European herbalism for centuries; it is mentioned in old herbals as well as in grandmothers' recipes handed down from generation to generation. It is usually processed as the dried herb for making an infusion, or made into a tincture, just as we do. Traditional use is based on long experience, not on modern clinical studies, which is why we always present it exactly like this, as tradition and not as a proven effect. European authorities that assess medicinal plants make the same distinction between traditional use and proven effect when deciding whether to classify a plant as a traditional herbal product.
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Horsetail in hair and skin care
In cosmetics, field horsetail extract or tincture is added to hair, skin and nail care, where it is valued for its rich mineral and silicon content. For hair, it is appreciated in homemade hair tonics and rinses, after which hair looks thicker and shinier. On the skin of the face and body, it is added to toners and body products, where it supports a fresh look and a soft feel to the touch. For nails, it is traditionally associated with a stronger look when hands are regularly bathed in a horsetail infusion. In every case this is about the effect on appearance with external use, not an intervention inside the body. If you are looking for a finished product with horsetail for tired legs, take a look at SKIPILAR cream balm with horse chestnut and horsetail, which combines horsetail with horse chestnut.
Field horsetail versus marsh horsetail
Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) has a dangerous relative, marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre), which grows in similar damp places and is easy to mistake for it at first glance. The difference, however, is fundamental: marsh horsetail contains the poisonous alkaloid palustrine and is not suitable for picking or processing. Commonly available Slovak articles on horsetail do not explain this mix-up properly, even though it is the first thing anyone planning to pick horsetail themselves should know. The key to telling them apart is the structure of the stem. Break a stem at a node and you will see that field horsetail has a narrow central hollow, while in marsh horsetail the hollow takes up a larger part of the stem's diameter, and its side branches also often branch again, which field horsetail does not do.
| Feature | Field horsetail | Marsh horsetail |
|---|---|---|
| Latin name | Equisetum arvense | Equisetum palustre |
| Hollow in the centre of the stem | narrow, a small part of the diameter | wide, a large part of the diameter |
| Side branches | simple, unbranched | often branching again |
| Suitable for picking | yes, traditionally used | no, contains poisonous palustrine |
Side effects and when not to use horsetail
When taken internally as an infusion or tincture, field horsetail is generally considered well tolerated, but side effects can still occur. Digestive discomfort is occasionally mentioned, such as a feeling of fullness in the stomach or mild nausea, especially at higher doses. Horsetail also has mild diuretic properties, so internal use is not recommended for people with swelling caused by heart or kidney failure without first talking to a doctor. Caution is also in order if you take medicines that remove water from the body (diuretics) or lithium, as their effect may change. Internal use is not recommended for children or for people with a known allergy to plants of the horsetail family. If you are not sure whether horsetail tincture is suitable for you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
- Swelling due to heart or kidney failure without consulting a doctor.
- Taking diuretic medicines or lithium at the same time.
- A known allergy to plants of the horsetail family.
- Children, without a doctor's recommendation.
Field horsetail tincture from Panakeia
We make our field horsetail tincture by hand in Slovakia from the dried herb, using maceration in alcohol, a method that draws the soluble substances from the plant into liquid form. A 100 ml bottle will last you many weeks of regular use, and you will always find the dosage directly on the label, because the exact number of drops can vary with the concentration of the extract. The tincture is one of our favourite drops, alongside other herbal tinctures that we likewise process gently and in small batches, so that we can be sure of the quality of every bottle. If you decide to try horsetail, first check the label to make sure nothing prevents you from taking it, and if in doubt, talk to a pharmacist.