Bottlebrush Plant (Horsetail)
EQUISETUM HYEMALE; EQUISETACEAE

The genus name derives from the Latin words eauus, a horse, and seta, a bristle, referring, of course, to the peculiar appearance of the plant. This appearance has also earned it the common names Bottle-brush and Paddock-pipes. Other common names refer to the utilitarian uses of the Horsetail: Pewterwort, Scouring Rush, Canutillo del Llano.

HISTORICAL USES

Used as a source of calcium for fetal development, for children’s fevers, diarrhea and convulsions, for wounds, to stop bleeding, ulcers, ruptures in children, skin eruptions, inflammation of the urinary tract, gravel, kidney and bladder weakness, cystitis, incontinence, digestive upsets, dyspepsia, diarrhea, as a liver cleanser, for excess menstruation, broken bones, general tonic, fever, colds, to strengthen the heart and lungs, to relieve swelling of eyes, and as an antifungal for plants.

Aside from its use as a source of calcium, Horsetail Grass is used chiefly for the urinary tract. It is said to be regarded by the European herbalists as an important remedy for gravel, inflammation of the urinary passages, cystitis, weakness of the kidneys and bladder.

The herb is sometimes used for digestive upsets as well. The infusion or the decoction of the green stalks can be used for dyspepsia connected with obstinate acidity of the stomach. It is said to stop diarrhea. It is used to cleanse the liver.

The herb was anciently used as a vulnerary, an herb to treat wounds. It will aid in coagulation and decrease bleeding, whether it be in excess menstruation, intestinal bleeding or external bleeding. It is said to heal broken bones unusually quickly, probably because of the high silica content.

The herb is a general tonic. It will break up a fever or a cold, strengthen the heart and lungs, and relieve swelling of the eyelids. The Chinese use it for most of these difficulties; in addition they recommend it for irritable uterus during pregnancy and as a specific antidote in case of having swallowed copper cash.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

It has a particularly high silica content.