Horsetail (Equisetum) Health Benefits, Effects, Contraindications, Side Effects and Correct Ways to Take It

In traditional Chinese medicine, horsetail is abbreviated as “mùzéi” and also called penholder grass. As the name suggests, its shape is tubular, and in appearance it closely resembles green bamboo, though it is shorter and thinner than green bamboo. Horsetail has excellent medicinal value, with its most notable effects being anti-inflammatory and hemostatic. Since many people are unfamiliar with horsetail, below the editor will walk you throughwhat are the benefits and effects of horsetail? What are its contraindications and side effects? How should it be taken for the best results?

I. What are the benefits and effects of horsetail?

1. Improves vision and clears eye opacities

Horsetail has the effect of clearing the liver and improving vision, and is used for conditions such as red eyes from wind-heat, cloud-like opacities on the eyes, and tearing in the wind.

2. Disperses wind and clears heat

Treats red eyes caused by liver fire flaring upward, typhoid fever, and malaria. Removes wind-dampness and dissipates fire pathogens.

3. Stops bleeding

Treats intestinal wind with bloody stool, hemorrhoidal bleeding, bloody dysentery, incessant menstruation in women, and rectal prolapse.

4. Calms sores and swelling

Treats carbuncles, scrofula, deep-rooted boils, furuncles, sweat spots, acne, and various patterns of metrorrhagia with red and white discharge.

II. Does horsetail have any contraindications or side effects?

As the saying goes, every medicine has some toxicity, so even the best medicines, including horsetail, have side effects. Therefore, when using horsetail, you must clearly understand its contraindications: who can use it and who cannot.

1. People with qi and blood deficiency should use horsetail with caution, because horsetail is very potent; taking too much can harm the liver and cause eye swelling and pain.

2. Horsetail should not be used for eye swelling, pain, or redness caused by summer heat or anger, because the cause is not liver fire excess.

3. Pregnant women, postpartum women, and menstruating women should all use it with caution; even though horsetail can treat prolonged menstruation, it should not be taken at will.

4. Some people experience dry mouth and abdominal discomfort after taking horsetail, and may choose to take less.

5. Horsetail is toxic to livestock, so it must not be used as fodder.

III. How should horsetail be taken for the best results?

1. Take 5 qian of horsetail, decoct in water and take warm. One dose per day. It has the effect of treating incessant bloody dysentery.

2. Take 3 qian of horsetail (stir-fried), decoct in one cup of water down to seven tenths, and take warm. One dose per day. It has the effect of treating incessant menstruation.

3. Take 4 qian and 5 fen of horsetail, 3 qian of duckweed, 3 liang of adzuki beans, and 6 jujubes. Decoct in water and take in three divided doses per day. It has the effect of treating edema-type beriberi, nephritic skin disease, and edema.

4. Decoct horsetail in water and use it as a gargle. Take 5 qian of horsetail, decoct in water, and take warm. Take once a day. It has the effect of treating a stiff tongue with bleeding.

5. Decoct horsetail in water and use it as a gargle. Take 5 qian of horsetail, decoct in water, and take warm. Take twice a day. It has the effect of treating incessant bloody diarrhea

6. Take 3 qian of horsetail (stir-fried), add one bowl of water and decoct down to seven tenths, take warm, once a day. It has the effect of treating irregular menstruation.