Horsetail

FAMILY: Equisetaceae.

HABITAT: The entire northern hemisphere, in humid places with preferably clayey-siliceous soil.

USED PART: sterile cauli.

RECOMMENDED PHARMACEUTICAL FORMS: nebulised dry extract titrated in silica min. 1% (French Pharmacopoeia X), with a daily dose of 10 to 16 mg/kg,. divided into two administrations, preferably between meals. It has been noted that silica is most effective in the presence of an acidifier, e.g. lemon juice, in the gastric environment.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION: it is very rich in silicon, mainly present in the form of opaline. It also contains phytosterols, phenolic and ascorbic acids, tannins, pectins and alkaloids. Flavonoids are abundant. This plant is also rich in minerals.

THERAPEUTIC PROPERTIES:
Re-mineralising action: is best known for its remineralising action. Biological research has shown that silicon plays a leading role in facilitating the deposition of calcium at active sites of bone calcification, especially in the early stages of bone formation. In fact, this element is involved along with calcium, phosphorus, fluorine, magnesium and boron in the process of bone calcification. It was also seen that animals fed a diet particularly low in silicon showed less bone callus formation after a fracture and, in addition, their bone was not histologically normal, showing a lower density than control animals.
Furthermore, the flavonoids contained in this plant, in synergy with silicic acid, cause an increase in the number of osteoblasts (the cells that build new bone) and their increased activity, while reducing both the number and activity of osteoclasts (the cells that destroy bone). This is linked, at least in part, to the action of flavonoids against free radicals and inflammatory phenomena.

SIDE EFFECTS: none relevant have been demonstrated so far

CONTRAINDICATIONS: none known.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: none known to date.

It can be found in zelda®GOLD