EQUISETUM HYEMALE: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, PROPERTIES, CULTIVATION - BIOLOGY - 2025

Equisetum hyemale, or winter horsetail, is a species of rhizomatous shrub belonging to the Equisoceae family. Native to North America, Europe and Asia, it is characterized by its long cylindrical and articulated stems up to 100 cm in length.

The robust stems devoid of leaves or branches exhibit vertical growth similar to bamboo stems. The bright green bark has fine black and white stripes between the growth nodes.

Equisetum hyemale or winter horsetail. Source: Rémih

It is a plant widely used in gardening to delimit spaces such as paved areas or borders, planted in narrow and elongated areas. It lacks flowers, it reproduces by spores formed from an elongated and thickened sporophyte located at the upper end of the stems.

On the other hand, it is used as a medicinal plant due to its content of silica and potassium salts, traces of alkaloids, vitamin C, resins and flavonoids. Thus, its stems are used for their diuretic, anti-hemorrhagic or anti-inflammatory effect, in creams to care for the skin or to weld bones, among other uses.

General characteristics

Stems

- Species: Equisetum hyemale L.

Habitat and distribution

The winter horsetail grows in humid environments, both in the wild and cultivated for decorative purposes. Due to its rapid growth rate, it can become an occasional weed of gutters or irrigation systems.

Originally from North America, it lives in conditions of dry, semi-dry and temperate climates at altitude levels between 1,000-2,600 meters above sea level. It is a species associated with aquatic ecosystems, streams in mountain mesophilic forests and pine forests.

Native to the northern hemisphere, it is widely distributed throughout the United States and Canada to the Arctic Circle region. It is also located in some temperate regions of Mexico and Central America, Mesoamerica, Europe and northeast Asia.

This species adapts to full sun exposure or semi-shady conditions, being very resistant to frost. It requires moist, but well-drained soils, with a high content of organic matter.

Reproductive structure of Equisetum hyemale or winter horsetail. Source: OpenCage

Medicinal properties

The winter horsetail is known for its extensive therapeutic properties, with numerous conditions and ailments that can be treated.

Whether through infusions, tinctures, capsules or ointments, this plant has anti-inflammatory, astringent, antioxidant, analgesic, purifying, diuretic, healing and remineralizing properties.

They also have cosmetic effects on skin care and strengthening of hair or nails. In this case, its high silicon content favors the production of collagen and reactivating the constitutive tissues of the skin.

Therapeutic and curative applications

- Antianemic

- Antidiarrheal

- Anti-inflammatory

- Antifungal

- Antioxidant

- Antiseptic

- Healing

- Remineralizing

Other apps

- Anemia and jaundice

- Uric acid or gout

- Arthritis and rheumatic diseases

- Dandruff, scalp conditions and hair loss

- Scars, stretch marks and marks on the skin

- Fungi on skin and nails

- Diarrhea and dysentery

- Weakness, asthenia and fatigue

- Diseases of the urinary system

- Bone fractures and ailments

- Internal and external bleeding

- Internal and external inflammation

- Obesity and diet

- Fluid retention and edema

- Imbalanced immune system

- Tendinitis and sprains

Equisetum hyemale or winter horsetail in natural environment. Source: Randi Hausken from Bærum, Norway

Home remedies

Diuretic

Horsetail has a great diuretic effect and is used successfully for fluid retention problems and enemas. Its high potassium content favors the elimination of fluids, so it is recommended to ingest a concentrated infusion 2-3 times a day.

Urinary disorders

Urinary system infections such as urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis, and even kidney stones are easy to relieve due to its antiseptic effect. The daily intake of a refrigerated infusion promotes continuous urination, which favors the elimination of parasites that can cause infections.

Bleeding

Horsetail is a natural remedy that has various active ingredients that facilitate the healing of internal and external wounds. The intake in the form of infusion or juice acts as an antihemorrhagic, being highly effective for nose or mouth bleeds.

Bones

In the case of fractures, sprains, rheumatic pain, osteoporosis or osteoarthritis, horsetails contribute to soothe these ailments due to their silicon content. Indeed, silicon acts as a repairing principle for bones and cartilage, accelerating their recovery.

Hemorrhoids

The anti-inflammatory and anti-hemorrhagic capacity of Equisetum hyemale acts as a natural remedy to reduce inflammation of hemorrhoids and stop bleeding. The ingestion of infusions or the topical application on the affected area through a clean and sterilized gauze considerably reduces hemorrhoidal inflammations.

Immune system

The flavonoid content of horsetail has an antioxidant action that strengthens the immune system. This action is particularly effective during periods of physical or mental exhaustion, stressful situations, recovery from illness or postoperative periods. It is taken as an infusion.

Pregnancy

Horsetails, as well as any other herb used as a natural remedy, is not recommended to ingest during pregnancy. Its consumption should be restricted due to the possible negative consequences, such as a possible abortifacient effect or the lack of nutritional and vitamin elements.

Skin health

Horsetail is a highly recommended species for cleaning wounds and healing skin ailments such as rashes, acne, rash, redness, or itching. Adding a few drops of horsetail tincture to bath water is effective in alleviating any skin ailment.

Weightloss

Its diuretic effect and ability to expel toxins from the body is very effective for those who are overweight and on a diet. One or two daily intakes of a horsetail stalk concentrate for a week contributes positively to the elimination of harmful agents from the body.

Equisetum hyemale or winter horsetail. Source: Reid Gilman from Northfield, MN, USA

Culture

The winter horsetail is a plant widely used for ornamental purposes due to its particular shape, fast growth and low maintenance. It is usually planted in pots and planters for terraces and patios, or in ponds and around waterways.

Sown on the margin or in a pond, it is convenient to plant in pots or planters, since its rhizome is very invasive. Likewise, planted at the edge of drains or water courses, it is recommended to place physical barriers underground to limit the growth of the rhizome.

The Equisetum hyemale or winter horsetail requires ample sun exposure and adapts to semi-shade, it is also tolerant to frost. They develop on any type of soil as long as it has good available moisture and efficient drainage.

As an ornamental crop, it requires frequent watering in order to keep the substrate moist unless planted in the pond. You need a medium with a good content of organic matter, being timely the application of compost during the cool months.

Maintenance or sanitation pruning is done to slow uncontrolled rhizome development or remove old and damaged stems. Horsetails are plants that are highly resistant to attack by pests and diseases that are only affected by drought.

References

1. Horsetail: 16 properties and uses in home remedies (2012) ECOagricultor - Naturvegan Ecologico SL Recovered in: ecoagricultor.com
2. Equisetum hyemale. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
3. Gallardo-Pérez, JC, Esparza-Aguilar, MDL, & Gómez-Campos, A. (2006). Ethnobotanical importance of a vascular seedless plant in Mexico: Equisetum. Polybotany, (21), 61-74.
4. Prada, C. (1986). Equisetum L. Flora ibérica, 1, 21-29.
5. Sánchez, M. (2018) Winter horsetail (Equisetum hyemale) Recovered in: jardineriaon.com
6. Vibrans, Heike (2009) Equisetum hyemale L. Horsetail. Conabio. Mexican weeds. Recovered at: conabio.gob.mx