H
Poor Hair (f; PHR); Prostatosis (1; KOM; PNC); Pulmonosis (f; CRC; PH2); Respirosis (2; KOM);
Rheumatism (f; APA; CRC; PH2; SKY); Rhinosis (f; JLH; PH2); Rupture (f; BGB); Sore (f; BGB;
PH2); Sprain (f; APA); Staphylococcus (1; HHB); Stone (2; PHR; SHT); Strangury (f; BGB);
Streptococcus (1; HHB); Swelling (1; APA; CRC; PHR; PH2); Tuberculosis (f; APA; CRC; FAD;
PH2); Ulcer (f; CRC); Urethrosis (2; CRC; KOM; PNC); UTI (2; APA; KOM; PH2; SHT); Water
Retention (2; KOM; PIP; PH2; WAM); Wound (2; KOM; PHR; PH2; WAM).Dosages (Horsetail) — 2–4 tbsp (2–4 g) fresh herb (APA; PED); 1–4 g herb/cup water (SKY;
WIC); 3–6 g dry herb (PED); 4.5 g dry herb:22 ml alcohol/23 ml water (PED); 1.5 g/cup tea
(HHB); 6 g/day (KOM; PH2; SHT); 2–4 ml liquid extract (PNC); 2–6 ml tincture/day (SKY); 3
(~350 mg) capsules 3 ×/day (APA); 3 (355 mg) capsules 3 ×/day; 1 (505 mg) StX 2 ×/day.Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Horsetail) — Class 2d. Contraindicated in car-
diopathy or nephrosis. Powdered herb not recommended for children or long-term use. Toxicity is
reportedly similar to nicotine poisoning in children who have chewed the stem (AHP). “Hazards and/or
side effects not recorded for proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Despite reported benefits of silicon,
it seems prudent that infants, young children, and pregnant women not ingest horsetail for extended
periods, unless its thiaminase enzyme has been deactivated (Reichert, 1994). Not for use during
pregnancy, or with kidney or heart disease (WAM). Raw use depletes thiamine (vitamin B1). Should
not be used more than 7 days (WAM). Said to induce seborrheic dermatosis (Reichert, 1994). There’s
an inconsistency in an AHP quote, “daily use of the herb should not exceed 2.0 grams ... doses in
excess of 5.0 grams of the herb powder should be taken during meals.” Commission E lists no known
contraindications, drug interactions, or side effects (KOM; PIP) at least for oral dosage (PIP). The
Herbal PDR says a physician should be consulted when used as a bath additive in cases of major skin
lesions, major feverish and infectious diseases, cardiac insufficiency, and hyperotonia (PHR). Beware
of related species with toxic alkaloids (SKY). The hemostatic substance is active orally, but neither
hypertensive, nor hypotensive, nor a vasoconstrictor (PNC). Bioflavonoids may cause diuresis (SKY).
“Silicon content is said to exert a connective tissue-strengthening and antiarthritic action” (SKY).
Surprising to me, it has been approved by Commission E for treatment of posttraumatic and static
edema, irrigation therapy for bacterial and inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract and renal
gravel (KOM), and for burns, kidney and bladder stones, UTIs, and wounds (PHR). Equisetonine is
weakly hemolytic (HHB). EO bactericidal against Mycobacteria, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus
(HHB). Silica strengthens bones, hair, and nails (WAF).HORSEWEED, FLEABANE, CANADIAN FLEABANE
(Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist) +Synonym: Erigeron canadensis L.
Activities (Horseweed) — Anticonvulsant (f; DEM); Antiedemic (f; PH2); Antiinflammatory (f;
PHR); Astringent (f; FAD); Diaphoretic (f; DEM); Diuretic (f; FAD); Hemostat (f; PHR); Hypoten-
sive (1; PNC); Sternutator (f; DEM); Tonic (f; PNC); Vermifuge (f; PHR).
Indications (Horseweed) — Acne (f; DEM); Arthrosis (f; DEM); Asthma (f; DEM); Backache (f;
DEM); Bleeding (f; PHR; PH2); Bronchosis (f; FAD; PH2); Cancer (f; JLH; PH2); Childbirth (f;
DEM); Cold (f; DEM); Convulsion (f; DEM); Cough (f; DEM; FAD); Cholecystosis (f; FAD;
PH2); Cramp (f; DEM); Cystosis (f; FAD; PH2); Dermatosis (f; DEM); Diarrhea (f; DEM; FAD);
Dropsy (f; PH2); Dysentery (f; PHR); Dysmenorrhea (f; PH2); Dysuria (f; FAD); Eczema (f; FAD);
Enterosis (f; FAD); Epistaxis (f; HHB); Fever (f; DEM); Gastrosis (f; FAD; PH2); Gout (f; PH2);
Granuloma (f; PH2); Gravel (f; FAD); Headache (f; DEM); Hemorrhoid (f; FAD; PH2); Hepatosis
(f; PH2); High Blood Pressure (1; PNC); Hysteria (f; DEM); Inflammation (f; PHR); Leukorrhea
(f; DEM); Liver Spot (f; DEM); Menorrhagia (f; PH2); Nephrosis (f; FAD); Pain (f; DEM);