Horsetail medicinal uses might surprise you.
This plant—so ancient it predates the dinosaurs—is more than a strange green stalk you pass by on wet walks. It’s a deeply mineral-rich, time-tested remedy that herbalists reach for when it comes to bones, skin, joints, and urinary health.
Known botanically as Equisetum arvense, horsetail has a long history in folk medicine for strengthening the body from the inside out—thanks largely to its natural silica content.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the key medicinal uses of horsetail, how to harvest and prepare it, and what you need to know about using it safely.
Whether you’re new to wild herbs or you’re a seasoned forager, horsetail might just earn a spot in your herbal apothecary.
🌿 Got a wild herbalist friend? Share this guide on horsetail medicinal uses with them! 🌿
Horsetail Medicinal Uses
1. Strengthens Bones, Hair, Skin, and Nails
Horsetail for bones is one of its best-known uses in traditional herbalism.
That’s because horsetail is an herbal source of silica—a mineral essential for collagen production and the formation of strong connective tissue.
Silica supports:
- Bone mineralisation and repair
- Strong, flexible joints
- Thick, resilient hair
- Healthy nail growth
- Firm, elastic skin
Modern herbalists often use horsetail tea or tincture as part of long-term protocols for:
- Osteoporosis prevention
- Post-fracture recovery
- Brittle nails or hair loss
- Signs of ageing skin
How to Use Horsetail for Bone and Skin Health
Horsetail Tea (for daily mineral support)
– 1 tsp dried horsetail
– 250ml boiling water
– Steep, covered, for at least 15–20 minutes (or up to 4 hours for maximum minerals)
– Drink once daily, preferably with food
Mineral-Rich Infusion
– 2 tbsp dried horsetail in 500ml just-boiled water
– Cover and steep for 4–8 hours
– Strain and sip throughout the day
✨ Top Tip: Blend with nettle or oatstraw for an extra mineral boost.
2. Eases Urinary Tract Irritation and Inflammation
Another core use? Horsetail for urinary tract health.
Its mild diuretic and astringent properties help:
- Flush out bacteria
- Soothe irritation in the bladder or urethra
- Reduce minor bleeding or inflammation in the urinary tract
- Strengthen bladder tone
Traditional herbalists often include horsetail in blends for:
- UTIs (alongside uva ursi, yarrow, or corn silk)
- Bladder weakness or leakage
- Prostate irritation
How Horsetail Supports the Urinary System:
– Silica helps rebuild mucosal lining
– Diuretic action promotes fluid movement
– Astringency reduces inflammation and bleeding
Horsetail Tea for Urinary Health:
– 1 tsp dried herb per cup boiling water
– Infuse 15–20 minutes
– Drink up to 3 times daily during acute flare-ups
(Always consult a herbalist or healthcare provider before use, especially if symptoms persist or if taking diuretics.)
3. Wound Healing and Tissue Repair
Horsetail’s astringent, silica-rich nature makes it ideal for external use on wounds, cuts, and skin damage.
It’s been used traditionally to:
- Stop minor bleeding
- Promote fast healing of wounds and ulcers
- Reduce inflammation around injuries
- Rebuild skin and connective tissue
Some even use horsetail poultices on sprains and bruises to speed up recovery and ease swelling.
How to Use Horsetail Externally:
Poultice – Soak dried horsetail in hot water, cool slightly, wrap in a cloth, and apply to the skin.
Compress – Use cooled tea as a wash or soak for irritated skin, wounds, or swollen joints.
Bath Soak – Add strong horsetail infusion to a warm bath for skin healing or joint pain.
4. Supports Lung and Respiratory Health
Less commonly known, but still valuable—horsetail can soothe the lungs.
In traditional folk medicine, horsetail was used:
- For persistent coughs
- To soothe inflamed lungs or bronchial tissue
- As a mild expectorant in chronic respiratory conditions
Its astringent nature helps tighten mucous membranes and calm persistent coughs or wheezing, especially in dry or irritated lungs.
This use is most common in European folk herbalism, especially in conjunction with herbs like plantain or mullein.
5. Supports Joint Health and Flexibility
Because it helps rebuild connective tissue and collagen, horsetail is often used in blends for joints, cartilage, and flexibility.
Herbalists may include horsetail in long-term regimens for:
- Arthritis or stiffness
- Cartilage repair
- Tendon or ligament recovery
- Age-related joint wear and tear
Its mineral content helps restore flexibility and rebuild structure, making it a slow-acting but valuable tonic.
✨ Combine with anti-inflammatory herbs like turmeric, willow bark, or meadowsweet for best results.
Herbal Constituents in Horsetail
What makes horsetail so healing?
🌿 Silica – Essential for bones, skin, hair, connective tissue
🌿 Flavonoids – Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects
🌿 Saponins – Help flush excess fluid and support kidneys
🌿 Tannins – Astringent, wound healing, reduce bleeding
🌿 Potassium and other minerals – Electrolyte balance, tissue support
Note: Only young, green, and non-fertile horsetail is used medicinally. The mature plant (with spores) can irritate the kidneys if taken internally.
Foraging and Identifying Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)
You’ll usually find horsetail in:
- Wet ditches and stream edges
- Damp woodland paths
- Moist meadows and hedgerows
Key Features:
- Jointed, hollow stems with no leaves
- Brush-like, bristly green shoots (like tiny bottle brushes)
- Spring and early summer growth is ideal
- Avoid mature spore-bearing stems (brown-tipped and rough)
Harvest only green, young sterile shoots, and dry them promptly to preserve their silica content.
🚫 Never harvest near roadsides, chemically treated land, or stagnant water.
Horsetail Preparation: Tea, Tincture, and Topicals
How to Make Horsetail Tea:
– 1 tsp dried horsetail
– 1 cup boiling water
– Steep, covered, 15–20 minutes or longer for minerals
– Drink once or twice daily
Long-Infusion for Silica:
– 2 tbsp dried horsetail
– 500 ml hot water in a mason jar
– Steep 4–8 hours, strain, refrigerate up to 24 hrs
– Sip slowly or use externally
Horsetail Tincture (1:5, 40% alcohol):
Used for urinary or bone support in small doses (5–15 drops 1–2x daily). Long-term use not advised without professional guidance.
Topical Use:
Infused oil (for skin or joints), compresses, sitz baths, or healing rinses.
Horsetail Safety and Contraindications
While horsetail is generally considered safe for short-term use, it’s not for everyone.
⚠️ Avoid horsetail if:
- You have kidney problems
- You’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- You take diuretics, lithium, or blood thinners
- You have a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency
Extended high-dose use can deplete B1 levels due to thiaminase enzymes, so always rotate herbs and avoid prolonged daily use unless guided by a herbalist.
Fun Fact About Horsetail
Did you know horsetail is one of the oldest plant species on Earth? Its relatives once grew as tall as trees in prehistoric forests—and today’s humble horsetail carries that legacy in every bristled stalk.
It’s even been used to polish metal and wood due to its silica content, giving it the nickname “scouring rush”!
Summary: Horsetail Medicinal Uses
Horsetail is a powerful yet gentle ally when used with care.
✅ Supports bones, skin, and hair with herbal silica
✅ Eases urinary tract inflammation and tones tissues
✅ Aids wound healing and connective tissue repair
✅ Supports joints, lungs, and skin when used internally or externally
Whether steeped as a tea, soaked as a compress, or tinctured in small doses, horsetail is a mineral-rich remedy with deep roots in herbal tradition.
Just remember: correct identification and short-term use are key for safety.
Interested in Wild Herbal Remedies?
I teach all about safe, family-friendly herbalism in the 90-Day Family Herbalist Course—including how to forage, prepare, and use healing plants like horsetail.
Thanks for reading! 🌿 Got questions about horsetail or want to share your favourite ways to use it? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from you.
