Horsetail is a plant with a hollow jointed stem with whorls of narrow leaves and produces spores in cones at the terminals of the branches. Equisetum arvense, the horsetail plant, is the source of horsetail extract. This is a fern family member that has been named for the horsetail-like structure of its branches, “horsetail” has been used for centuries, let’s check out Horsetail For Hair Growth.

 

As a result, proponents of the plant, which resembles a horsetail in appearance and possesses beneficial properties for the hair, have embraced the name “horsetail.” Horsetail is the ancient name for the herb. As far as I know, this has nothing to do with horse racing.

 

A slew of vitamins and pills on the market dramatically increase hair quality. For the most part, high-quality hair vitamins function, even if some companies employ cheap chemicals and exaggerations to market placebo products. As is to be expected, specific vitamins work better than others. Horsetail also contains chemicals that support hair growth. Therefore, horsetail for hair growth is also of great importance.

 

As a result, horsetail extract for hair is a sought-after supplement today because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. All-natural horsetail extract comes from a plant’s roots [1].

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horsetail in white bucket

 

What Is Horsetail Extract?

Horsetail has been utilized for centuries by healers and wise men. It is possible to consume horsetail in various ways, and it is used in a range of situations not related to hair loss. In treating edema, kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections, and kidney and bladder health in general, horsetail is employed. In addition, it is used to treat a variety of ailments, including tuberculosis, arthritis, osteoporosis, weak bones, gout, and even frostbite [2].

 

Horsetail extract, administered directly to the skin, effectively treats wounds and burns. The Romans ate horsetail in Rome because they thought it was so tasty. Even today, immature horse plant stems can be found on Japanese menus. Horsetail is an all-natural miracle ingredient that you can even consume for lunch.

Why Is Horsetail Used For Hair?

Horsetail resembles a cross between a bamboo plant and a fern due to its scale-like leaves and tube-like stems that grow from the stalks. The leaves and stems of the horsetail plant are used to make herbal treatments. As a liquid extract or dry form, horsetail can be purchased in a tea or pill form.

 

Horsetail plant oil is not an essential oil but rather an extracted oil from the plant. Because of the silica in it, it may speed up and strengthen hair growth while also helping to reduce dandruff. Horsetail contains silica, which has been proved to promote hair growth and thicker hair. Using this extract can also have a favorable impact on collagen formation, which will benefit the health and appearance of your hair [3].

 

Overall, anecdotal research suggests that horsetail may help maintain good hair because of its:

 

  • silicon content
  • antioxidant properties
  • impact on collagen

Silicon

According to proponents of natural medicines, Horsetail extract is a good hair care product because of the silica it contains. With this, they substantiate their claims:

 

  • Hair qualities such as resistance to breakage improve after 9 months of daily silicone injections.
  • Hair strength and growth were boosted by silica-rich horsetail tablets taken orally.

 

Furthermore, silicon is said to have the following properties:

 

  • It provides horsetail with a cleaning-friendly texture.
  • Enhances the rate at which hair grows
  • Dandruff is less of an issue when you use this.
  • Hair follicles are stimulated [4].

Antioxidants

Horsetail extract proponents claim that horsetail’s antioxidant qualities are beneficial for hair health, citing:

 

  • Hair follicles can be damaged by free radicals, particularly in older persons.
  • Horsetail is thought to be a natural source of antioxidants and phytochemicals that may be beneficial to health [5].

Collagen

Horsetail’s impact on collagen and calcium for bone regeneration is good for hair health and looked at by many proponents of horsetail hair care. Horsetail silicon has been shown to boost collagen biosynthesis, which may help treat osteoporosis by increasing the creation of cartilage and bone tissue [6].

Horsetail supplement

How To Use Horsetail For Hair Growth

Adding a horsetail for hair growth supplement to your regular regimen can benefit you by making your hair thick and robust [7].

 

How about thick and lustrous hair like that of a horsetail? There are various ways to take a horsetail supplement for hair growth and enhancement. 

 

1. Consume Orally

An orally consumed pill or capsule swallowed several times a day is the most typical mode of delivery (depending on the dosage). This is a fantastic way to take horsetail if you’re looking for a significant shift or want something uncomplicated. Horsetail is often taken in doses of 300 mg three times a day [8].

 

2. Apply horsetail extract directly to the hair root

Alternatively, horsetail extract, a bottled oil, is another way to take horsetail. Those with thinning hair prefer horsetail extract since it delivers nutrients directly to the root of hair loss (the scalp and hair follicles). Horsetail is a beautiful herb for skin health, so it’s a popular choice for people with itchy scalps, burns, or other scalp disorders [9].

3. Horsetail supplements & herbal tea

A medicine or press can be made from dried horsetail or, more commonly, it can be consumed as herbal tea. 3-5 minutes of steeping time per cup of the herb in hot water. Take the tea every day.

 

As a result, horsetail for hair growth can be taken as part of a whole supplement for women that includes horsetail plant extract and biotin, vitamin C, niacin, and zinc, all of which are important for hair growth [10].

Methods To Use Horsetail For Hair Growth

Shampoo

Horsetail extract can be administered directly to your hair using a shampoo. As a result, the nutrients are delivered to the hair follicles, maximizing their potential. Horsetail shampoo is easy to prepare at home. Three teaspoons of horsetail grass and a half-cup of boiling water are all you’d need [11].

 

  • Take a pot of boiling water and add the horsetail grass.
  • Please wait for the water to cool down before using it.
  • Soak well in the water the horsetail grass.
  • A combination of an unscented and gentle shampoo is ideal. Using baby shampoo is the most excellent way to get the best outcomes.

Hair Rinse

Horsetail extract can also be used as a hair rinse. Using it regularly will keep your hair shiny and tangle-free [11].

Capsules

If you don’t want to replace your shampoo, horsetail is also available in capsule form. It’s also easier and less time-consuming to use capsules. Additional vitamins and minerals that help strengthen your hair can be found in most dietary supplements available as capsules [12].

Tea Infusions

Horsetail extract can also be steeped to make a tea infusion. You can infuse 2 to 3 teaspoons of the herb in boiling water for 10 minutes. To brew horsetail tea, remove the herb’s stems and leaves. You should drink this tea twice a day or as prescribed by your doctor [13].

 

Be sure to research the potential side effects of any herbs you want to take for health and well-being. Learn more about horsetail’s possible adverse effects in the coming sections of the article.

horsetail tea in glass cup

Horsetail For Hair Rinse method

Horsetail can grow wild in almost every region except Australia and New Zealand. The most excellent place to seek it is near water, such as rivers, ponds, and marshes. 

 

It is possible to develop a robust, all-natural hair rinse that is helpful to your hair that makes excellent use of horsetail.

 

To rinse your hair with horsetail to get make your hair shiny and healthy, follow the following steps: 

 

  • Fill a Mason jar two-thirds full with fresh horsetail 
  • Now top it with raw apple cider vinegar to make the hair rinse. 
  • To avoid mold, make sure that all horsetail is submerged in water. 

 

To keep the horsetail from floating to the top of my hair rinse, I use a wide-mouth, quart-sized Mason jar and place a jelly jar on it.

 

  • For optimal results, keep your infusion in a cold, dark place for about 4-6 weeks, shaking it gently every few days to help it infuse. 
  • When not in use, keep the infused apple cider cool and dark.
  • Rinse your hair with the product either after or between shampoos. 

 

I prefer to rinse and leave it in, combing it through my hair while still wet. Comb the rinse through your hair as an alternative, and then thoroughly rinse your hair with water. 

 

  • Do not use any conditioner or other treatments after this.

Scientific Research: Horsetail Treatment For Hair Loss 

When you’re in the shower, hair loss might be scary. A handful of hair can become entangled in your hands as you comb your hair through with water, only to be washed away with the loose ends causing a clog in the sink drain. On the other hand, one plant extract oil has been shown to promote hair growth (horsetail plant).

 

Hair loss can be a painful sight to behold. The majority of people do not want their hair to become dull and lifeless. In that case, one plant extract oil may have the potential to promote hair growth. It makes your hair strong and attractive and infuses a new life to your lifeless and dull hair, making the hair thick, shiny, and healthy. 

 

In one three-month clinical trial published in the journal Dermatology Research and Practice, researchers looked into a plant extract’s impact on encouraging hair growth.

 

The 60 adult women who participated in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled research reported having self-perceived thinning hair. Women were randomly assigned to either two placebo supplements or a supplement containing horsetail plant extract for 90 days.

 

Each subject’s hair was cleaned and shed hairs were collected and tallied. Took Digital scalp photographs, and shed hairs were collected and counted. These measures were repeated after 90 days, and the volunteers were asked to complete self-assessment questionnaires.

 

The data analysis discovered that those who took horsetail extract “had seen a considerable increase in the number of terminal hairs in the target location.” It follows from this that the researchers observed more incredible hair growth in the scalp area in the women who consumed horsetail plant extract compared to the women who received a placebo.

 

Additionally, the women who took horsetail for hair growth had less hair shedding than the control group. In addition, the women who took the horsehair plant extract reported more significant amounts of hair growth in the self-assessment questionnaire than the control group [14].

Horsetail Extract From Root

Hair loss sufferers can benefit from the herb’s high silica (or silicon dioxide) content. Hair’s tensile strength and density can be significantly improved with silicic acid. Horsetail’s nutrients and silica content strengthen brittle nails and promote new hair growth.

 

This herb is an excellent option if you’re looking for a natural way to renew and protect your hair. That’s not all, either. Vitamin C and biotin in horsetail are also known for their hair-replenishing properties. Regular supplementation with biotin, one of the most highly praised vitamins for hair growth, can help combat problematic hair follicles.

 

GRO Biotin Gummies, a daily supplement containing various powerful vitamins and minerals, can help nourish brittle strands and strengthen hair from the root. Biotin, folic acid, and vitamins B-5, 6, and 12 support the body’s production of collagen and keratin and are found in every gummy [15].

 

Horsetail root can assist in the synthesis of collagen. Hair-care products enriched with horsetail extract are excellent because they contain silica, which may aid in the formation of cartilage and bone tissue by promoting collagen production. This results in hair growth, strength, and hair loss prevention because horsetail addresses collagen deficiency, a common cause of hair loss.

Is Horsetail safe to use or effective for hair loss?

Talk to your doctor first if you desire to use Horsetail. Your doctor can tell you whether or not it will interfere with any existing medications or supplements you’re taking and provide you advice on how it might affect your health. Like most herbal supplements, Horsetail has not been given the green light by the FDA (FDA).

 

Horsetail extract’s capacity to reverse hair loss or create new hair growth needs further scientific investigation. Horsetail has not been proven to be an effective treatment for hair loss [16].

Side effects of Horsetail & Special Precautions

Horsetail is safe to take, but you should avoid it if you’re trying to conceive or are already pregnant. It could harm your body’s metabolism, leading to health issues in the long run. If you have diabetes or low potassium, you should avoid this plant.

 

Horsetail is effective in the treatment of heavy menstrual flow and the reduction of body fat. No approach is better than the others to utilize it in whatever way is best for you. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, there isn’t adequately valuable information to tell you whether or not horsetail is safe to use. Avoid using it or, if possible, be on the safe side [1]. 

 

Individuals suffering from thiamine deficient diseases should also avoid horsetail intake. It is possible that taking horsetail will make thiamine deficiency worse, leading to various health problems, including shortness of breath, confusion, brain disease, seizures, coma, and more.

 

Some persons who have a carrot allergy may also have a horsetail allergy, and vice versa. Horsetail contains trace levels of nicotine as well as other phytochemicals. If you are sensitive to nicotine, you may get an allergic reaction to horsetail. Horsetail has been shown to reduce potassium levels in the blood. If you are in danger of potassium deficiency, use horsetail caution until further information becomes available.

 

Possible Interactions Of Horsetail For Hair Growth

Horsetail’s properties may interact with some drugs, making them more effective. Therefore, people taking prescription medications should avoid using Horsetail until they have spoken with their doctor or other healthcare professional.

Alcohol

People who consume alcohol regularly may have low vitamin B1 levels (thiamin). Because Horsetail can also result in low thiamin levels, it is not recommended that you take Horsetail if you consume a lot of alcohol.

Nicotine patches or gum

Horsetail holds a small quantity of nicotine and should not be used in conjunction with nicotine replacement products such as patches or chewing gum.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Horsetail has the potential to produce low potassium levels in the body (hypokalemia). Horsetail should not be taken by anyone who has heart arrhythmias or takes digoxin.

Diuretics (water pills)

Horsetail may have poor diuretic qualities, which means that it aids in the removal of excess fluid from the body. Horsetail should not be used by people who take diuretics because of the risk of dehydration and low potassium levels (hypokalemia).

Lithium

Taking Horsetail along with Lithium can cause a harmful buildup of Lithium in the body since it interferes with the body’s capacity to remove Lithium [17].

Final Words

There are numerous hair benefits to be gained from using horsetail, which can be used in conjunction with other hair supplements or taken alone in a tea or capsule. Whatever method you choose, this extract will leave your hair feeling as lustrous as a horse’s mane!

 

Some anecdotal data and limited clinical studies show that horsetail may provide some hair-care advantages, while further scientific research is needed to confirm this. Skin, hair, nail, and urinary disorders are the most common conditions for which it is used. It can be eaten in the form of tea, capsules, and tinctures.

 

On the other hand, the FDA has not approved it, as has been the case with most herbal supplements. Before using it, consult with your doctor. However, because the FDA has not approved it, it should be avoided by pregnant and nursing women, persons with low vitamin B1 levels, and people who use antiretroviral medications.

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References

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  5. Chaiyana, W., Punyoyai, C., Somwongin, S., Leelapornpisid, P., Ingkaninan, K., Waranuch, N., … & Mueller, M. (2017). Inhibition of 5α-reductase, IL-6 secretion, and oxidation process of Equisetum debile Roxb. ex vaucher extract as functional food and nutraceuticals ingredients. Nutrients, 9(10), 1105.
  6. Dini, I., & Laneri, S. (2019). Nutricosmetics: A brief overview. Phytotherapy Research, 33(12), 3054-3063.
  7. ON-DEMAND, J. I. T. I. HAIR GROWTH for Healthier, Thicker, Fuller Hair.
  8. Adelman, M. J., Bedford, L. M., & Potts, G. A. (2021). Clinical efficacy of popular oral hair growth supplement ingredients. International Journal of Dermatology, 60(10), 1199-1210.
  9. Adelman, M. J., Bedford, L. M., & Potts, G. A. (2021). Clinical efficacy of popular oral hair growth supplement ingredients. International Journal of Dermatology, 60(10), 1199-1210.
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  15. Popovych, V., Koshel, I., Malofiichuk, A., Pyletska, L., Semeniuk, A., Filippova, O., & Orlovska, R. (2019). A randomized, open-label, multicenter, comparative study of therapeutic efficacy, safety and tolerability of BNO 1030 extract, containing marshmallow root, chamomile flowers, horsetail herb, walnut leaves, yarrow herb, oak bark, dandelion herb in the treatment of acute non-bacterial tonsillitis in children aged 6 to 18 years. American journal of otolaryngology, 40(2), 265-273.
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