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Dietary supplement

Horsetail Powder Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BulkSupplements.com

Powder Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Horsetail Powder is a dietary supplement by BulkSupplements.com 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 powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Horsetail Powder by BulkSupplements.com

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

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 powder. It has no other active ingredients and no added fillers or binders — just the horsetail itself.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
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
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Horsetail product and its label doesn't state a use — see Horsetail's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence for horsetail powder isn't established in the data we hold. The product has been studied for urinary incontinence, obesity, tonsillitis, and male-pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia), but the current evidence is insufficient to rate it as effective for any of these uses.

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 is considered acceptable for short-term use in healthy adults, but long-term use and unverified products carry real risks. The most common side effects from taking it by mouth are abdominal bloating, increased bowel movements, and nausea.

Crude horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that can break down thiamine (vitamin B1) and potentially cause deficiency with prolonged use; Canadian products are required to be certified thiaminase-free to address this concern. One person developed a skin reaction (seborrheic dermatitis) after applying horsetail topically, likely due to its nicotine content.

There isn't enough safety data to use horsetail during pregnancy or while breastfeeding — talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you're pregnant or nursing.

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 horsetail powder, double-check with your doctor or pharmacist if you're on antidiabetes drugs (blood sugar medications), diuretics (water pills), lithium, or antiretroviral drugs for HIV — especially NRTIs or efavirenz. All four drug types have documented Moderate interactions with horsetail.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're considering horsetail powder for urinary incontinence or another reason, keep in mind the evidence for its effectiveness isn't established. More importantly, if you take blood sugar medications, diuretics, lithium, or HIV antiretroviral drugs, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — the interactions are real and could affect how your medications work.

Short-term use appears tolerable for most people, but long-term safety is uncertain.

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 Jun 23, 2021.

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 Powder, straight from the product label.

Brand BulkSupplements.com
Barcode (UPC) X002IKZX8Z
Net contents 1 KG(s); 35.3 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 23, 2021
DSLD ID 252709
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy 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 Powder by BulkSupplements.com, 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:
450 mg
Maximum serving Sizes:
450 mg
Servings per container
2222
UPC/BARCODE
X002IKZX8Z
IngredientAmount% DV
Horsetail powder450 mg--

Other ingredients: None

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.
General Statements

Clean & pure bulk supplements

Formulation

Color may vary

Free Of: Added sugar, soy, dairy, yeast, gluten, additives.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Warning: This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Precautions

Always consult a physician before taking any dietary supplement.

Keep out of reach of children.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Use: As a dietary supplement, take 450 mg (about 1/5 tsp) up to three times daily, or as directed by a physician.

Storage

Store in a dry, cool place.

See for yourself

Horsetail Powder by BulkSupplements.com label

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

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Horsetail Powder by BulkSupplements.com

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

Serving size450 mg Dosage formPowder Servings per container2222 Amounts shown are per serving.

Horsetail powder

Interacts with
188 drugs
450 mg per serving

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 powder monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: None. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Horsetail Powder by BulkSupplements.com Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Horsetail Powder?

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

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Horsetail Powder 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 powder5 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
The maker

Brand information

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

BulkSupplements.com

See all BulkSupplements.com products
Name
BulkSupplements.com
Street Address
7511 Eastgate Rd
City
Henderson
State
NV
ZipCode
89011
Web Address
BulkSupplements.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Horsetail Powder by BulkSupplements.com: Common Questions

Does Horsetail Powder by BulkSupplements.com interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Horsetail Powder 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 Powder 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 this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety data to say it's okay during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you before you use it.
What are the side effects?
The most common ones are bloating, more frequent bowel movements, and nausea. Crude horsetail can also break down thiamine (vitamin B1) over time, though Canadian products are tested to prevent this. One person had a skin reaction after applying it topically.
Does horsetail actually work for what it's used for?
The evidence isn't strong enough to confirm it works for urinary incontinence, weight loss, sore throat, or hair loss. We hold insufficient data to rate it as effective for any of these.
How long can I safely take this?
It's considered okay for short-term use in healthy adults, but long-term safety hasn't been established. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about how long you should use it.
What is horsetail supposed to do?
Horsetail is used traditionally for urinary incontinence, weight management, sore throat, and male-pattern hair loss, but clinical evidence for these uses is insufficient.

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 Powder label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Horsetail Powder'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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