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Home >
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> Horsetail |
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Supplement Articles |
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HORSETAIL
Articles by a Naturopathic
Doctor ( N.D.)
From hair care and skin
health, to bone support and
osteoporosis, horsetail is
sure to please ... |
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HORSETAIL |
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Horsetail grass is
source of the
mineral silica |
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Horsetail was traditionally
used as a diuretic in spring
tonics. Spring tonic
herbal combinations provide
a gentle cleanse of the body
as it changes from the
winter mode of storage and
hibernation to the vital and
energetic warm seasons.
Horsetail also contains a
significant amount of
silica, which is considered
an essential trace mineral
for human health. It
forms structural components
of bone and connective
tissue, such as collagen.
It is especially needed
during the early phase of
bone mineralization and is
found in high concentrations
in the bony growth plates. |
It also forms
elastin, a
connective tissue
that is responsible
for the elasticity
of connective tissue
found in the skin,
lungs and blood
vessels. Silica
levels decline with
age and a deficiency
of silica may lead
to degeneration of
the vessels, bones
and connective
tissue that is
commonly seen in the
elderly. Horsetail
is commonly
recommended by
natural health care
practitioners for
support of bone and
connective tissue,
osteoporosis, poor
growth of hair, skin
and nails and
swelling.
Horsetail can be
used as a dried
herb, encapsulated
herb, tincture or
tea. The silica
content of may be
found on the product
label. This is an
assurance of the
quality of the
herb. Horsetail can
be found as a
component of
formulas for vein
health and urinary
infections. Silica
is also commonly
used as a gel that
is sourced from
mineral deposits as
opposed to
horsetail. These
supplements do not
have the diuretic
properties of
horsetail products.
There are possible
interactions between
horsetail and heart
medication, anti-seizure
medications, diuretics and
lithium because of
horsetail’s diuretic
properties. Horsetail
inhibits the absorption of
vitamin B1 and
supplementation is advisable
if you use horsetail for
long periods of time. |
Horsetail
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QUICK FACTS
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PARTS USED
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Stems and
leaves. |
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APPLICATIONS |
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Support of
bone and
connective
tissue,
osteoporosis,
poor growth
of hair,
skin and
nails,
swelling. |
OPTIMUM
DOSAGE
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·
900mg daily
(standardized
to 10%
silica).
(Clinical
doses may be
higher as
recommended
by your
practitioner). |
WORKS WELL
WITH
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·
Multi
minerals,
calcium,
magnesium,
boron,
essential
fatty acids. |
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IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
click
for products |
·
Those on
heart
medication,
anti-seizure
medications,
diuretics
and lithium
should use
horsetail
cautiously.
·
Long-term
horsetail
use may
cause
deficiency
of vitamin
B1. |
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For
informational
purposes only.
Please consult your
health care
practitioner before
taking natural
health care
products. Click here
for full disclaimer. |
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All articles
copyright National Nutrition
2001 - 2011. For educational
purposes only. Please note
that while National Nutrition
supports your right to use
natural health care products for
any therapeutic purpose that you
see fit, that the information on
this website should not be
considered as a claim or as a
substitute for medical advice. |
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