Today's new herb

[RobinK]

I haven't done this for awhile, thought someone might enjoy.

Horsetail. Equisetum arvense

Horsetail has been used for generations. It is commonly used to break up kidney stones or urinary tract infections. Upon reviewing new information on this herb, I found uses included are for broken bones and assists in connective tissue.

Today, horsetail continues to have medicinal value. The plant's stems are rich in silica and silicic acids, which help mend broken bones and form collagen, an important protein found in connective tissue, skin, bone, cartilage, and ligaments. Therefore, horsetail is used as a supplement to treat and prevent osteoporosis. University of Maryland Medical Center. 2009.

This causes me to take a new look at this herb in relation to some of the aches and pains we have and our newfs have.

The silica content in this herb can be both helpful yet dangerous. If you make a tea, strain through a very tightly woven cloth such as cotton.

I would suggest its use via a tincture which can be found from excellent sources.
Some sources I use are:
http://herb-pharm.com/
http://texasmedicinals.com/

More information on this herb can be located
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/horsetail-000257.htm
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/h/hortai39.html

Contraindications:
Vitamin B1. Continued use of this plant can deplete vitamin B1.

Contraindicated in cardiac or kidney dysfunction. Consumption of fresh horsetail is reported to potentially lead to thiamine deficiency. Horsetail extract is safe to use because the thiaminase is broken down. http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Horsetail-Herbal-Remedies

It is generally considered safe and no interference with meds.

[R Taft]

I would be very careful with the use of this herb........I am a bit wary of using it without a good canine herbalists advise. It is a good herb when used correctly, but one of the tricky ones.
You have found some good info and I enjoyed reading it, thank you, Ronnie

[RobinK]

I never knew it could be used for anything but kidney stones. The silica content worries me and I've only used tincture for my urinary tract a few times.

When I checked my herbal books, in one fairly recent book it wasn't even listed. I have finally found some herbalist working with it. Its always been one of those herbs we've all used carefully and cautiously.

I'm trying to understand the concept that the silica this plant contains is able to be absorbed by humans through water infusions. I've seen it on the market more and more. It appears in mixed supplements and I can't remember the product, but it also appeared in the ingredients listing in a "new" animal supplement.

Funny thing is most herbs I pick, there is always evidence that other animals have munched on it. With this one, I don't recall ever seeing even deer evidence of scrounging it.

I am also seeing it in pill form which made me gasp. I'm still checking into what is the scoop. I like to keep an open mind, but I worry whenever I see "pill" forms come out with herbs we were taught have to be procured in a certain manner for a positive outcome.

Mushrooms for example have a chemical that is not absorbed by humans unless they are prepared correctly. In my mushroom class I found out if you dry wild mushrooms first before using them, it helps break this chemical down. I did not know that. Its an interesting process to get medicine from mushrooms. I would think the same for horsetail because of the silica content.

The thought of grinding it up and just "sprinkling" on food weirds me out a bit.

Which is a gentle reminder to read and research all ingredients on some of the new "natural" supplements coming out for pet care.

Whenever I put info up it isn't to neither encourage or discourage its use, but to keep an open mind and research it.

I'm looking up some of the uses in combination with other herbs tommarrow when I have the day off. I find it interesting. Not saying we should all go out an buy it.

Remember, I only put up this information from time to time to encourage looking at it. I also have an awesome pet book by Gregory Tilford and will look up to see if it is listed in there.

Its never been one of those herbs high on the list to have handy. But I ahve plenty of it growing around here.

[R Taft]

I love this sort of thread, because it makes the little grey cells work a little harder............And i loved all you links, Ronnie

[RobinK]

I looked it up in "All you ever wanted to know about Herbs for Pets" Mary L. Wulff-Tilford and Gregory Tilford.

Strongest Affinities: Musculoskeletal system, skin and hair.

Check this out: Page 162

Horsetail contains a vast array of synergistic chemical compounds that all contribute to myriad medicinal uses, but most notable is its usefulness in healing bone and connective tissue injuries"

...and serves as an excellent adjunct to glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements

I can put up more that it says as soon as I get time. Very interesting read.