410/HORSETAIL PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESCONTRAINDICATIONS
Horsetail is contraindicated in patients who have edema due
to impaired heart and kidney function.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
Health risks or side effects following the proper administra-
tion of designated therapeutic dosages are not recorded.A doctor should be consulted when the drug is utilized as a
bath additive in cases of major skin lesions, acute skin
lesions of unknown origin, major feverish and infectious
diseases, cardiac insufficiency and hypertonia.
DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb for infusions and
other galenic preparations are available for oral administra-
tion. Comminuted herb for decoctions and other galenic
preparations are used externally.
Preparation: To make a tea. pour 200 ml boiling water over
2 to 3 gm drug and boil for 5 minutes. Strain after 10 to 15
minutes. To make an infusion, use 1.5 gm drug per 1 cup
water. A liquid extract is prepared in a 1:1 ratio in 25%
alcohol.
Daily Dosage: Daily dose of Horsetail is 6 g drug. The drug
should be administered with plenty of fluids.
The internal dosages are as follows:
Infusion — 2 to 4 g
Liquid extract — 1 to 4 ml 3 times daily
Tea — 2-3 g per cup repeatedly during the day between
mealtimes
External use:Compresses: 10 g drug to 1 liter
Homeopathic Dosage: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every
30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times a day (chronic);
parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc 3 times daily (HAB1).
Storage: Horsetail must be protected from light in well-
sealed containers.
LITERATURE
Beckert C, Veit M, Styrylpyrone im Schachtelhalm. In: DAZ
137(28):2474-2475. 1997.
Eugster C, Heterocycles 4:51. 1976.
Gibelli C, (1931) Arch Int Pharmacodyn 41:419.
Hiller K, Pharmazeutische Bewertung ausgewahlter Teedrogen.
In: DAZ 135(16): 1425-1440. 1995.
Karrer P et al., Helv Chim Acta 32:2397-2399. 1949.
Pohl RW, (1955) Am Fern J 45:95.Sokeland J, Phytotherapie in der Urologie. In: ZPT 10(1):8.
1989.
Veit M, Problem bei der Bewertung pflanzlicher Diuretika. Als
Beispiel Schachtelhalmkraut DAB 10 (Equiseti herba). In: ZPT
15(6):331-341. 1994.
Veit M et al., Flavonoids of the Equisetum hybrids in the
subgenus Equisetum. In: PM 58(7)97. 1992.
Further information in:
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel. 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
mbH Stuttgart 1997.
Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen. 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.Hound's Tongue
Cynoglossum officinale
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the aerial and root
of the herb.
Flower and Fruit: The flowers are on short, bent pedicles,
which grow to 1 cm after flowering. The corolla is cup-
shaped and larger than the calyx. The corolla is initially dark
violet, then dull brown. It is occasionally white with
thickened, velvety purple or light red, tubular scales. The
nutlets are flat, ovoid and light brown. They are 5 to 7 mm
wide, thickened at the edge and covered with barbs.Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a biennial. The taproot
is 10 to 30 cm long and up to 1.5 cm thick. It is reddish
colored with a few fibers. The shoots are gray-green and
smell of mice. The stems are usually rigidly erect, angular,
hairy and heavily foliated. They are 30 to 80 cm high and up
to 1 cm thick. The lower leaves are in rosettes, which form a
tough, coriaceous sheath at the base. The upper leaves are
sessile and clasping.
Habitat: Especially common in Germany and Switzerland,
now also found in the U.S. in areas where Germans and
Swiss settled.
Production: Hound's Tongue herb consists of the above-
ground parts of Cynoglossum officinale. Hound's Tongue