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Horsetail: What is it good for and how does it help your hair
October 16, 2023
What is horsetail
Horsetail is a rhizomatous plant with sterile stems on which green leaves appear and fertile stems devoid of chlorophyll and therefore usually white or yellowish.
It is an extremely ancient plant, so old that it is considered a "living fossil", the only genus of the horsetail family that populated the underforest in prehistoric times with stems that could reach up to 20 meters high.
The resistance and tenacity of its rhizomes allow horsetail to adapt well and survive underground during the winter period, then be among the first plants to awaken in the earliest spring.
This led to it being immediately recognized by ancient peoples as an effective source of nutrition and paved the way to the knowledge of its healing properties.
Etymology and History of Horsetail
The presence of the needle-shaped leaves (although they are actually whorls of small branches) and the glassy nature of the horsetail's stem suggested the plant's association with the horsetail in ancient times. Even today, the horsetail is often referred to as "horsetail", which is nothing other than the translation from Latin of "equus" (horse) and "saeta" (mane, bristle)*.
However, the association of a wild fern with the most noble animal should not be surprising, as horsetail historically represented the only form of plant food, especially during Lent, which was usually marked by food shortages.*
Horsetail has also proven to be a valuable ally on the battlefield, dating back to the time of the Sumerians, who knew of its healing powers in healing cuts.*
The use of the horsetail plant in folk medicine
In addition to its healing properties related to wound healing, horsetail also has diuretic properties that contribute to kidney drainage and help improve inflammation of the urinary tract. It is also used to treat ulcers.*
In addition to the healing, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, horsetail contributes to remineralization. It provides our body with the minerals necessary for the growth and strengthening of bones, teeth, nails and hair.
Properties of horsetail
The extensive medicinal use of this ancient plant is based on the properties of horsetail, which has a high concentration of minerals, especially potassium, as well as other components including:
saponins;
Vitamin C;
cinnamic acid;
oxalic acid;
isoquercetin;
Silicon.
Horsetail brings the most important benefits for hair due to its high potassium and silicon content.
potassium
Potassium is one of the minerals that is found in large quantities in our body and is involved in the chemical processes in cells during muscle contraction. In horsetail it is present in abundance (18-20%)* and helps maintain stable blood pressure.*
The rich presence of minerals makes horsetail particularly suitable as a remineralizing agent for nails, bones and hair, and it can improve bone density, as a study on patients with osteoporosis has shown.*
Silicon
The silicon contained in horsetail is around 6% and is responsible for the characteristic rough consistency of the plant's stems and leaves.
The contribution of silicon is important for tendons and connective tissues, as well as cartilage, joints and bones, by providing the biochemical framework of the cells in these tissues.
It is also crucial for the synthesis of elastin and collagen, two other essential elements in the formation of bones, nails and hair.
Horsetail dietary supplement
Proteins, amino acids and minerals are the main players on which the appearance of our hair depends and therefore its health.
However, many of these "ingredients" are not easy to obtain from the normal diet and it is necessary to increase their quantity with specific nutritional supplements that can improve the growth, shine and vitality of our hair.
Horsetail* dietary supplements ensure that the cells of our hair are supplied with the necessary amount of iron, zinc and biotin to ensure the care and health of our hair, making it appear healthier and more elastic. They strengthen the biological cell composition and combat hair loss.*