Horsetail is a medicinal plant, also known as Horsetail, Horse Tail or Horse Glue, widely used as a home remedy to stop heavy bleeding and menstruation, for example. In addition, due to its anti-inflammatory and diuretic action, mackerel can be used to help treat kidney stones and urinary infections, for example.
The scientific name of Cavalinha is Equisetum arvense and can be found in health food stores and some pharmacies in the form of plants or capsules, for example.
The most consumed form of Horsetail is in tea, and Horsetail tea is considered a great diuretic, and can help in the weight loss process and in fighting swelling by fluid retention.
What is the Horsetail for
Horsetail has an astringent, anti-inflammatory, healing, diuretic, antihypertensive, anti-hemorrhagic, remineralizing, anti-rheumatic, antioxidant, digestive, antimicrobial and anti-diarrheal action, and can be used for various purposes, such as:
- Assist in the treatment of kidney and urinary problems, such as nephritis, cystitis and urinary infections; Decrease abundant menstrual flow; Prevent and treat nosebleeds and stomach bleeding; Decrease hair loss; Assist in the treatment of rheumatism, arthritis and gout; Decrease blood pressure; Prevent and help in the treatment of chilblains.
In addition, due to its properties, horsetail can also be used to combat symptoms of stress and anxiety, mood swings and fluid retention.
How to make horsetail tea
The used part of the Horsetail is its dry stalk to make tea, baths and poultices, for example. The main form of consumption of mackerel is tea, which is very easy and quick to make:
Ingredients
- 1 cup of boiling water, 1 tablespoon of mackerel.
Method of preparation
To make the tea just put the horsetail in the boiling water and let it stand for about 5 minutes. Then strain and drink 2 to 3 cups a day, preferably after the main meals of the day.
Another way to use the horsetail is through capsules, which should be taken according to medical advice, with the consumption of 2 capsules twice a day being normally indicated, or through the sitz bath, which can also be used to treat urinary infections. To do the sitz bath, just put 3 handfuls of dry stems in the bath water and remain immersed in the water for 5 to 10 minutes. Check out other sitz bath options for urinary tract infection.
Side effects and contraindications
Horsetail is not normally associated with side effects, however when consumed in large quantities, and for a long time, it can cause loss of important minerals for the body, which can result in diarrhea, headache, dehydration, weight loss, alteration of heart rate and muscle weakness, for example. Therefore, it is recommended that the mackerel is only consumed for short periods, up to a week, or as instructed by a doctor, nutritionist or herbalist.
Horsetail consumption is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, as well as people who have heart failure, low blood pressure and kidney disease, for example, due to its ability to lower blood pressure and have a diuretic effect.
