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Dietary supplement

Horsetail Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herb Pharm

Horsetail label
See full label image
Liquid Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Horsetail against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Horsetail is a dietary supplement by Herb Pharm with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for fluid retention (mild diuretic), urinary and bladder concerns, hair, skin, and nail support.Based on those ingredients, 188 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Horsetail by Herb Pharm

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Horsetail by Herb Pharm — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Horsetail by Herb Pharm

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Aug 6, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: horsetail aerial parts extract made from fresh, undried plant material. Horsetail has been used traditionally as a diuretic — meaning it promotes fluid loss — and for support of urinary and bone health.

The liquid formulation also contains cane alcohol as an inactive ingredient.

Does it work?

Insufficient evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Insufficient

There isn't enough reliable clinical evidence to rate this product's ingredients for its stated purpose.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: urinary and system restoration support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Urinary incontinence, Urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder function, fluid balance.
  • The closest evidence on file: Horsetail is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Horsetail is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Urinary incontinence.

The evidence we hold doesn't establish that horsetail is effective for the conditions listed — urinary incontinence, weight loss, tonsillitis, or hair loss (androgenic alopecia) — all are rated as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate. That doesn't mean horsetail doesn't work; it means the research available to us doesn't yet support a clear claim.

If you're considering it for a specific reason, your doctor or pharmacist can give you a fuller picture of what clinical research does exist.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Horsetail

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Horsetail may be used short-term by healthy adults, but long-term use and unverified products carry real risks. The most common side effects from oral use are abdominal distension, increased bowel movements, and nausea.

Crude horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that can lead to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency with prolonged use — though Canadian Equisetum arvense products are required to be certified free of thiaminase-like activity. There is also one case report of seborrheic dermatitis (a skin rash) after topical application, traced to the nicotine component in horsetail.

Not enough safety data exists to recommend horsetail during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; the safety data advises against both. If you're pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Horsetail

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Horsetail.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 188 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before you take this product, double-check with your pharmacist or doctor if you're on nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors or efavirenz (HIV medications) — horsetail may reduce their effectiveness. Also flag it if you take antidiabetes drugs (risk of low blood sugar), diuretics, or lithium.

These are Moderate interactions that may need dose adjustments or a switch to a different supplement.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with insufficient evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Horsetail extract is generally well tolerated for short-term use in healthy adults, but it interacts with several important medication classes — especially HIV drugs, antidiabetes medications, diuretics, and lithium. If you take any of these, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

It's not recommended in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Long-term use carries real risks, including thiamine deficiency.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Feb 22, 2024.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Horsetail, straight from the product label.

Brand Herb Pharm
Barcode (UPC) 090700001698
Net contents 4 Fluid Ounce(s); 120 mL
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Feb 22, 2024
DSLD ID 307525
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Horsetail by Herb Pharm, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.7 mL
Servings per container
168
UPC/BARCODE
090700001698
IngredientAmount% DV
Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried670 mg--

Other ingredients: Cane Alcohol

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use Shake well before using Adults: Add 1 squeeze of the dropper bulb to 2 oz. of water or juice, 2 to 4 times per day. Best taken between meals.

Precautions

Keep out of the reach of children.

Storage

Store away from heat & light

Formula

Equisetum telmateia

Horsetail Liquid Extract We prepare our Horsetail Extract from fresh (undried) Equisetum telmateia plants which are responsibly wildcrafted during the spring in their natural habitat.

Formulation

System restoration Urinary

Gluten-free

FDA Statement of Identity

Herbal Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Horsetail by Herb Pharm label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Horsetail label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Horsetail by Herb Pharm

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.7 mL Dosage formLiquid Servings per container168 Amounts shown are per serving.

Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried

Interacts with
188 drugs
670 mg per serving Form: Equisetum telmateia Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried

Horsetail is a traditional herb most often used as a mild diuretic and for hair, nail, and bone support, but high-quality human evidence is limited. I...

Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Cane Alcohol. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Horsetail by Herb Pharm Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Horsetail?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

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188Drugs
188 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried 188

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Horsetail interact with 188 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Horsetail interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Horsetail with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried5 drug types · 188 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, taking horsetail with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Equisetum myriochaetum has demonstrated hypoglycemic activity in clinical research. In an animal diabetic model, Equisetum giganteum had hypoglycemic effects. It is unclear whether other horsetail species have hypoglycemic effects.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Diuretic Drugs

Theoretically, taking horsetail with diuretic drugs might increase potassium loss and the risk of hypokalemia.
Laboratory research shows that various species of horsetail have diuretic properties. Due to its diuretic effects, there has been concern that taking horsetail along with potassium-depleting diuretics might increase the risk for hypokalemia. However, pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that taking horsetail 900 mg daily for 4 days does not affect urinary excretion of electrolytes, including potassium and sodium, despite having a diuretic effect similar to taking hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily. It is unclear if taking horsetail for a longer duration would affect electrolyte levels. Until more is known, use with caution.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Efavirenz (Sustiva)

Theoretically, horsetail might decrease the levels and clinical effects of efavirenz.
In two case reports, patients were found to have detectable viral loads when taking horsetail-containing supplements along with an antiretroviral regimen that included efavirenz. In one case, the antiretroviral regimen included zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz; in the other case, the regimen consisted of emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz. One month after discontinuing horsetail, the viral loads became undetectable in both cases. The exact mechanism of this interaction is unknown. It is also unclear if this interaction is specific to efavirenz or if it is related to various components of antiretroviral therapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Lithium

Theoretically, horsetail might increase the levels and adverse effects of lithium.
Animal research suggests that horsetail has diuretic properties. Theoretically, due to these potential diuretic effects, horsetail might reduce excretion and increase levels of lithium. The dose of lithium might need to be decreased.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (Nrtis)

Theoretically, horsetail might decrease the levels and clinical effects of NRTIs.
In two case reports, patients were found to have detectable viral loads when taking horsetail-containing supplements along with an antiretroviral therapy. In one case, the antiretroviral regimen included zidovudine, lamivudine, and efavirenz; in the other case, the regimen consisted of emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, and efavirenz. One month after discontinuing the supplement, the viral loads became undetectable in both cases. The exact mechanism of these interactions is unknown. It is also unclear if these interactions are specific to NRTIs or if they are related to various components of antiretroviral therapy.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Horsetail Aerial Parts Extract, Fresh, Undried full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Horsetail, from the product label.

Herb Pharm

See all Herb Pharm products
Name
Herb Pharm
City
Williams
State
OR
ZipCode
97544
Phone Number
800-348-4372
Web Address
www.herb-pharm.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horsetail by Herb Pharm: Common Questions

Does Horsetail by Herb Pharm interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Horsetail has a known interaction with 188 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Horsetail contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Horsetail if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data, and the safety information advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about this product if you're pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing.
What are the most common side effects?
The most common side effects from taking it by mouth are abdominal bloating, increased bowel movements, and nausea. Clinical research on horsetail safety is limited, so we don't have a full picture of how often these occur.
Is this product safe to use long-term?
Horsetail may be used short-term by healthy adults, but long-term use carries real risks — particularly thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency if the product contains crude horsetail. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor about how long you should take it.
Does horsetail actually work for urinary incontinence, hair loss, or weight loss?
The evidence we have doesn't yet establish that horsetail is effective for those uses. All are rated as having insufficient reliable evidence to rate. Your doctor can discuss what research does exist and whether it might help in your situation.
What is the 'cane alcohol' in this liquid formula?
Cane alcohol (ethanol) is an inactive ingredient used to extract and preserve the horsetail plant material in the liquid. It's a standard ingredient in herbal liquid supplements.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Horsetail label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Horsetail’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Horsetail

Interacts with 188 drugs

Horsetail is a traditional herb most often used as a mild diuretic and for hair, nail, and bone support, but high-quality human evidence is limited. It can cause thiamine (vitamin B1) loss w...

Read the full Horsetail monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Horsetail's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 14 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Horsetail 14 references
  1. Sudan BJ. Seborrhoeic dermatitis induced by nicotine of horsetails (Equisetum arvense L.). Contact Dermatitis 1985;13:201-2.
  2. Perez Gutierrez RM, Laguna GY, Walkowski A. Diuretic activity of Mexican equisetum. J Ethnopharmacol 1985;14:269-72. PubMed
  3. Lemus I, Garcia R, Erazo S, et al. Diuretic activity of an Equisetum bogotense tea (Platero herb): evaluation in healthy volunteers. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;54:55-8. PubMed
  4. Revilla MC, Andrade-Cetto A, Islas S, Wiedenfeld H. Hypoglycemic effect of Equisetum myriochaetum aerial parts on type 2 diabetic patients. J Ethnopharmacol 2002;81:117-20. PubMed
  5. Tiktinskii, O. L. and Bablumian, I. A. [Therapeutic action of Java tea and field horsetail in uric acid diathesis]. Urol.Nefrol.(Mosk) 1983;3(1):47-50.
  6. Henderson JA, Evans EV, and McIntosh RA. The antithiamine action of Equisetum. J Amer Vet Med Assoc 1952;120:375-378.
  7. Carneiro DM, Freire RC, Honório TC, Zoghaib I, Cardoso FF, Tresvenzol LM, de Paula JR, Sousa AL, Jardim PC, da Cunha LC. Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial to Assess the Acute Diuretic Effect of Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail) in Healthy Voluntee
  8. Klnçalp S, Ekiz F, Basar Ö, Coban S, Yüksel O. Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail)-induced liver injury. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Feb;24(2):213-4. PubMed
  9. Ortega García JA, Angulo MG, Sobrino-Najul EJ, Soldin OP, Mira AP, Martínez-Salcedo E, Claudio L. Prenatal exposure of a girl with autism spectrum disorder to 'horsetail' (Equisetum arvense) herbal remedy and alcohol: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2011 M PubMed
  10. Cordova E, Morganti L, Rodriguez C. Possible Drug-Herb Interaction between Herbal Supplement Containing Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Antiretroviral Drugs. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2017;16(1):11-13.
  11. García Gavilán MD, Moreno García AM, Rosales Zabal JM, Navarro Jarabo JM, Sánchez Cantos A. Case of drug-induced acute pancreatitis produced by horsetail infusions. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2017 Apr;109(4):301-304. PubMed
  12. Vieira GT, de Oliveira TT, Carneiro MAA, et al. Antidiabetic effect of Equisetum giganteum L. extract on alloxan-diabetic rabbit. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;260:112898. PubMed
  13. Health Canada. Organism-Equisetum arvense. Available at: http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/ingredReq.do?id=6117&lang=eng. Accessed 21-July 2021.
  14. Bates D, Duong TB, Kheyson S, Moore K. Hyponatremia Secondary to Decreased Oral Intake and SIADH and Possibly Exacerbated by Horsetail (Equisetum arvense). Can J Hosp Pharm 2021;74(4):386-389. PubMed

See these in context on the Horsetail monograph →

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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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