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Dietary supplement

Silica From Horsetail Extract Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Natural Factors

Silica From Horsetail Extract label
See full label image
Capsule Category: Botanical With Nutrients
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 Silica From Horsetail Extract 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

Silica From Horsetail Extract is a dietary supplement by Natural Factors 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 Spring Horsetail. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors

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 Sep 10, 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.
  • “Spring Horsetail” is listed as a grouped ingredient — the label gives one combined amount (500 mg) without saying how much of each component you get.

This product contains one active ingredient: silica, sourced from horsetail extract. Silica is a mineral form of silicon that plays a role in bone structure and connective tissue.

The capsule itself is vegetarian, and the product includes rice flour and magnesium stearate as inactive ingredients to help with manufacturing and delivery.

Does it work?

Moderate 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
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Silica nutrient from horsetail extract.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoporosis, Bone health, Hair and skin health, Connective tissue support.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Silicon is rated "Possibly Effective" for Osteoporosis (Natural Medicines).

Silica is possibly effective for osteoporosis — the evidence suggests it may help with bone health, though more research would strengthen that claim. For hair loss (androgenic alopecia) and gum inflammation around dental implants (peri-implantitis), the evidence isn't established enough to rate whether it works.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Horsetail Silicon

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.

Silica from food and most supplements is generally well tolerated. However, long-term safety at high doses hasn't been thoroughly studied, so it's worth knowing that limit.

The product should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding — there isn't enough safety data to know either way, and the caution leans toward skipping it for those periods. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this supplement is right for you.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Horsetail Silicon

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

This supplement may be worth considering if you're interested in bone health support and have no pregnancy or breastfeeding concerns. No interactions are documented for the ingredients we checked.

Before you start, confirm with your own doctor or pharmacist that it fits your health picture — especially if you're on any medications or have any ongoing health conditions.

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 25, 2012.

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 Silica From Horsetail Extract, straight from the product label.

Brand Natural Factors
Barcode (UPC) 068958041902
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jun 25, 2012
DSLD ID 9390
Product type Botanical With Nutrients
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), 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 Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors, 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:
1 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Capsule(s)
UPC/BARCODE
068958041902
IngredientAmount% DV
Silica10 mg--
Spring Horsetail500 mg--

Other ingredients: Vegetarian capsule, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate

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 Usage: 1 capsule 2 times per day or as directed by a health professional.

Precautions

Keep out of reach of children.

Sealed for your protection. Do not use if seal is broken. For freshness store in a cool, dry place.

Formula

Natural Factors concentrated Silica extract is derived from an aqueous solution of Horsetail. Horsetail extract contains many important elements found throughout the human body. Abundant in Silica, Horsetail is an organic source of this essential mineral that supports hair, skin, connective tissue and nails.*

General Statements

All Natural Factors products are manufactured in accordance with the Government of Canada's Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), among the highest standards in the world.

PRODUCT OF CANADA

NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT FOR HAIR, SKIN AND NAILS*

Formulation

Contains no artificial preservatives, color or sweeteners; no corn, dairy, soy, wheat or yeast.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Seals/Symbols

(recycle) Recyclable container.

Purity & Potency Guaranteed

STANDARDIZED POTENCY

FDA Statement of Identity

DIETARY SUPPLEMENT

General

R2

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

See for yourself

Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors label

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

Silica From Horsetail Extract 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 Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors

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

Serving size1 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Amounts shown are per serving.

Spring Horsetail

Interacts with
188 drugs
500 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...

Spring Horsetail monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Vegetarian capsule, Rice Flour, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Silica From Horsetail Extract?

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188Drugs
188 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Spring Horsetail 188

Individual Drug Interactions

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

1 of the 1 ingredient in Silica From Horsetail Extract interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Spring Horsetail

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Silica From Horsetail Extract 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.

Spring Horsetail5 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
Spring Horsetail full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

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

Natural Factors

See all Natural Factors products
Name
Natural Factors Canada
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors: Common Questions

Does Silica From Horsetail Extract by Natural Factors interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Silica From Horsetail Extract 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?
Silica From Horsetail Extract 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 while pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — there isn't enough safety data for either pregnancy or breastfeeding, so the recommendation is to avoid it during both. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether it's right for you in these situations.
Does silica actually help with bone health?
The evidence suggests it's possibly effective for osteoporosis, meaning there's some support for it, but the research isn't conclusive yet. It may be worth discussing with your doctor as part of a larger bone-health plan.
What about side effects?
Silica from food and supplements is generally well tolerated. The main caution is that long-term safety at high doses hasn't been studied well, so stick to the recommended dose.
Will this help with hair loss?
There isn't enough reliable evidence to say whether silica works for hair loss. If that's your goal, check with your doctor or dermatologist about what's proven to help.
What's the difference between silica and silicon?
Silica is the oxidized form of silicon — basically silicon plus oxygen. They're closely related, and silica is what you get from supplements like this one.

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.

Silica From Horsetail Extract label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Silica From Horsetail Extract’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 → Herb & supplement monograph

Silicon

Silicon is a trace mineral found in the body and in foods like oats, barley, and certain fruits and vegetables, and it is popular in supplements for hair, skin, nail, and bone health. Some s...

Read the full Silicon monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Silica From Horsetail Extract'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 33 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.

Silicon 19 references
  1. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
  2. Jugdaohsingh R, Anderson SH, Tucker KL, et al. Dietary silicon intake and absorption. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;75:887-93. PubMed
  3. Ichiyanagi O, Sasagawa I, Adachi Y, et al. Silica urolithiasis without magnesium trisilicate intake. Urol Int 1998;61:39-42. PubMed
  4. Levison DA, Crocker PR, Banim S, Wallace DM. Silica stones in the urinary bladder. Lancet 1982;1:704-5. PubMed
  5. Lee MH, Lee YH, Hsu TH, et al. Silica stone--development due to long time oral trisilicate intake. Scand J Urol Nephrol 1993;27:267-9. PubMed
  6. Cruz Guerra, N. A., Gomez Garcia, M. A., Lovaco, Castellano F., Saez Garrido, J. C., Garcia, Cuerpo E., and Escudero, Barrilero A. [Silica urolithiasis: report of a new case]. Actas Urol.Esp 2000;24(2):202-204.
  7. Merget, R., Bauer, T., Kupper, H. U., Philippou, S., Bauer, H. D., Breitstadt, R., and Bruening, T. Health hazards due to the inhalation of amorphous silica. Arch Toxicol. 2002;75(11-12):625-634. PubMed
  8. Khuder, S. A., Peshimam, A. Z., and Agraharam, S. Environmental risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis. Rev Environ Health 2002;17(4):307-315. PubMed
  9. McLaughlin, J. K., Chow, W. H., and Levy, L. S. Amorphous silica: a review of health effects from inhalation exposure with particular reference to cancer. J Toxicol.Environ Health 4-25-1997;50(6):553-566. DOI
  10. Pelucchi, C., Pira, E., Piolatto, G., Coggiola, M., Carta, P., and La, Vecchia C. Occupational silica exposure and lung cancer risk: a review of epidemiological studies 1996-2005. Ann.Oncol. 2006;17(7):1039-1050. PubMed
  11. Gillissen, A., Gessner, C., Hammerschmidt, S., Hoheisel, G., and Wirtz, H. [Health significance of inhaled particles]. Dtsch.Med Wochenschr. 3-24-2006;131(12):639-644.
  12. Hu, J. F., Qu, H., and Wang, J. Z. [Meta analysis for relationship between exposure of free silicon dioxide and lung tumor]. Zhonghua Lao.Dong.Wei Sheng Zhi.Ye.Bing.Za Zhi. 2006;24(7):415-417.
  13. Jugdaohsingh, R. Silicon and bone health. J Nutr Health Aging 2007;11(2):99-110.
  14. Lacasse, Y., Martin, S., Gagne, D., and Lakhal, L. Dose-response meta-analysis of silica and lung cancer. Cancer Causes Control 2009;20(6):925-933. PubMed
  15. McCormic, Z. D., Khuder, S. S., Aryal, B. K., Ames, A. L., and Khuder, S. A. Occupational silica exposure as a risk factor for scleroderma: a meta-analysis. Int Arch Occup.Environ Health 2010;83(7):763-769. PubMed
  16. Haddad, F. S. and Kouyoumdjian, A. Silica stones in humans. Urol.Int 1986;41(1):70-76. PubMed
  17. Tervaert, J. W., Stegeman, C. A., and Kallenberg, C. G. Silicon exposure and vasculitis. Curr Opin.Rheumatol 1998;10(1):12-17. PubMed
  18. Steenland, K. and Stayner, L. Silica, asbestos, man-made mineral fibers, and cancer. Cancer Causes Control 1997;8(3):491-503. PubMed
  19. Boqué N, Valls RM, Pedret A, Puiggrós F, Arola L, Solà R. Relative absorption of silicon from different formulations of dietary supplements: a pilot randomized, double-blind, crossover post-prandial study. Sci Rep 2021;11(1):16479. PubMed

See these in context on the Silicon monograph →

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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