Horsetail refers to perennial herbaceous plants of the horsetail family. This plant has other names: pusher, cat's tail, petal. Under natural conditions, the plant grows in America, Eurasia, throughout Russia. Of particular value are the leaves of horsetail. They have unique healing properties.
Plant characteristics
In early spring, horsetail leaves appear - large, simple, succulent. The stems are brown, on top of a spikelet. Behind the first stalk, new green thin stems depart from the root, the height of which is not more than twenty centimeters. These parts of the plant are collected and used for medicinal purposes.
Horsetail is a special plant found everywhere. Most often, he is seen in forests, meadows, and fields. It can be used to determine the acidity of the soil.
How is it prepared?
You can collect horsetail leaves throughout the season. Charges must be carried out in dry weather. If you collect leaves in rainy weather, then they will turn black when dried. Before drying, all yellowed leaves are removed.
Different subspecies of horsetail differ among themselves by branches, leaves, as well as the direction of growth. Grass horsetail field leaves has a triangular-lanceolate, pointed, fused in pairs. Branches are unbranched, without cavities, have five faces.
Composition and properties
The plant has many useful properties. It stops inflammatory processes, enhances urination. Also, the plant is considered an excellent hemostatic.
Horsetail is considered a unique plant. The plant has many useful acids that have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effects on the body.
Horsetail leaves are rich in silicic acids, flavonoids, saponins, resins. They contain tannins, a lot of vitamin C, potassium salts, carotene and other useful elements.
This plant has the following medicinal properties:
- antimicrobial;
- anthelmintic;
- antimicrobial;
- wound healing;
- anti-inflammatory;
- astringent;
- antispasmodic.
The horsetail leaves collected can be used as a diuretic for cystitis and edema. Another feature of the plant is the ability to bind and remove lead from the body. Therefore, this plant is recommended for those who have a harmful profession, in which poisoning with lead and other metals is possible.
Application
Horsetail is used in the form of decoctions and infusions. It can be drunk like tea. The plant is prescribed for diarrhea, cholelithiasis, internal bleeding. Leaves can be used for inflammatory pathologies of the eyes in the form of lotions.
Horsetail is also recommended for the treatment of the following ailments:
- peptic ulcer;
- various types of fistulas;
- dermatitis;
- fungal skin diseases, including lichen;
- wounds of various depths;
- purulent inflammation, boils.
Since ancient times, the plant began to be used not only for bleeding, but also in the treatment of difficult to heal wounds. Decoctions are taken for bleeding in the excretory systems.
Contraindications
Despite the useful properties, horsetail has a number of contraindications for use. Its use can cause kidney irritation, so decoctions can not be used for jade.
Contraindication to the use of horsetail is pregnancy, lactation. Also, doctors do not recommend using the plant in the presence of some chronic pathologies: gastric ulcer, hypotension, iodine intolerance, allergy to the plant.
A feature of the plant is an increase in blood coagulability.
Conclusion
The rational use of horsetail, strictly prescribed by a doctor, will help to cope with different types of pathologies. If during the reception the patient feels unwell, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor.
It is dangerous to take horsetail for a long time. In its composition there are components that can accumulate in the body, causing poisoning. Therefore, courses should not be longer than three weeks.
When using the plant, care must be taken.