Horsetail Interactions Overview

Check For Interactions With Horsetail

Horsetail

Also known as
  • Equisetum arvense
  • Alligator Cane
  • Asprêle
  • Bottle Brush
  • Cavalinha
  • Coda Cavallina
  • Cola de Caballo
  • Common Horsetail
  • Corn Horsetail
  • Dutch Rushes
  • Equiseti Herba
  • Field Horsetail
  • Fleshy Grass-Tail
  • Giant Horsetail
  • Great Horsetail
  • Herba Equiseti
  • Herbe à Récurer
  • Hor
Horsetail Horsetail, also known as equisetum, is a type of perennial herb that belongs to the Equisetaceae family. It is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere and has distinctive, jointed stems that resemble the tail of a horse, hence common name. Some species of horsetail are used medicinally and have been traditionally used to treat a range of ailments, including kidney and bladder problems, wounds, and hair loss. It is most commonly used in traditional medicine as an oral diuretic (i.e., water pill) for the treatment of edema. It is important to note that some species of horsetail (e.g., Equisetum palustre) may be toxic and should not be consumed. Additionally, some types of horsetail contain thiaminase, which can cause thiamine deficiency with prolonged use.
There are 185 drugs known to interact with Horsetail

Additional Details

Is Horsetail Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Horsetail, a plant with spore-based reproduction, thrives in wetlands across the Northern and Southern hemispheres. While a specific type, Equisetum arvense, is endorsed as an oral diuretic by the German Commission E, caution is warranted.

Crude horsetail contains thiaminase, potentially causing thiamine deficiency with prolonged use. Certified thiaminase-free products are mandated in Canada. Equisetum palustre (marsh horsetail) carries toxic palustrine, known to harm animals. Safety information, especially regarding thiaminase-free horsetail, is limited, making its use possibly unsafe, particularly during pregnancy and lactation.

How Is Horsetail Thought To Work? What is the Mechanism of Action?

The key components of horsetail, found in its above-ground parts, include petrosins, caffeic acid, triterpenoids, and significant amounts of silicon. Some studies suggest horsetail's potential effects:

  • Analgesic Effects: Animal research hints at analgesic properties unrelated to opioids.
  • Anticonvulsant Effects: Animal studies indicate a reduction in induced seizures.
  • Anti-inflammatory Effects: Laboratory findings propose antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, possibly linked to flavonoids.
  • Antimicrobial Effects: Horsetail extracts show promise against various bacteria and fungi.
  • Antioxidant and Antiviral Effects: Research indicates potential antioxidant and antiviral properties.
  • Diuretic Effects: Human and animal studies suggest horsetail's diuretic properties, comparable to hydrochlorothiazide.
  • Hypoglycemic Effects: Some species exhibit hypoglycemic activity, though the mechanism is unclear.
  • Sedative Effects: Animal research suggests potential sedative effects.
  • Hepatic and Vasorelaxant Effects: Preliminary findings hint at hepatoprotective properties and vasorelaxant effects.

Pharmacokinetics

In human studies, horsetail intake led to the excretion of metabolites like caffeic acid and quercetin. The mechanism of its diuretic effect is attributed to flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and mineral salt constituents.

Interaction Overview

Horsetail interactions with drugs and supplements include:

  • Antidiabetes Drugs: Moderate caution due to possible increased hypoglycemia risk.
  • Diuretic Drugs: Moderate caution for potential increased potassium loss.
  • Efavirenz (Sustiva): High caution for potential decreased efavirenz levels.
  • Lithium: Moderate caution for potential increased lithium levels.
  • Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs): High caution for potential decreased NRTI levels.

Common Side Effects To Watch For

Limited clinical research notes possible adverse effects, including abdominal distension, increased bowel movements, and nausea.

Are Supplements Standardized?

Information on the standardization of horsetail supplements is insufficiently reliable.

What Is Horsetail Typically Used For?

Traditionally, horsetail is used as an oral diuretic, and for kidney, bladder, and liver health. Its applications extend to addressing conditions such as diabetes, menorrhagia, arthritis, and wound healing. While some interest exists in using horsetail for alopecia, hypertension, kidney stones, obesity, osteoporosis, tonsillitis, urinary incontinence, and urinary tract infections, further research is needed for conclusive evidence.

Drugs that interact with Horsetail

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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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