Equisetum arvense, commonly called scouring rush or rough horsetail, is a non-flowering, rush-like, rhizomatous, evergreen perennial, native to large portions of Eurasia, Canada and the U.S.
It typically occurs in wet woods, moist hillsides and peripheries of water bodies (lakes, rivers, ponds). This species features rigid, rough, hollow, vertically-ridged, jointed-and-segmented, bamboo-like, dark green stems
Use as a strong astringent used for diarrhea, skin sores. Aids weak digestion. The colas are also used to scrub dishes.
Equisetum arvense, commonly known as rough horsetail, has been well studied for its antimicrobial and antifungal actions (De Queiroz et al 2015; Dos Santos Alves et al. 2016).
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is used as a mild diuretic, anti-inflammatory and remineralizing treatment due to its high silica content (Ching-hong C., Lewin, J. 1969). Pharmacological studies suggest that horsetail demonstrates antioxidant, sedative, antimicrobial, antiplatelet, cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities. (Carneiro, D. M. et al. 2013; Aldaas, S. 2011).
Extracts of E. hyemale, have exhibited strong free radical scavenging activity, making the plant a potentially useful source of antioxidants (Jiang et al. 2012) and is also toxic to some cancer cells
Aldaas, S. (2011). Cytotoxic and Antibacterial Activity of an Extract from a Saudi Traditional Medicinal Plant Equisetum Arvense. KAUST Research Repository. https://doi.org/10.25781/KAUST-85V93
Carneiro, D. M., Jardim, T. V., Luciana Araújo, Y. C., Arantes, A. C., Sousa, A. C. D., Sebba Barroso, W. K., Sousa, A. L. L., Cunha, L. C. D., Cardoso Cirilo, H. N., Freitas Bara, M. T., & Brandão Veiga Jardim, P. C. (2021). Equisetum arvense: New Evidences Supports Medical use in Daily Clinic. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 13(26), 50–58. https://doi.org/10.5530/phrev.2019.2.4
Chen, C. H., & Lewin, J. (1969). Silicon as a nutrient element for Equisetum arvense. Canadian Journal of Botany, 47(1), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.1139/b69-016
de Queiroz, G. M., Politi, F. A., Rodrigues, E. R., Souza-Moreira, T. M., Moreira, R. R., Cardoso, C. R., Santos, L. C., & Pietro, R. C. (2015). Phytochemical Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity, and Antioxidant Potential of Equisetum hyemale L. (Equisetaceae) Extracts. Journal of Medicinal Food, 18(7), 830–834. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2014.0089
dos Santos Alves, C. F., Bonez, P. C., de Souza, M. D. E., da Cruz, R. C., Boligon, A. A., Piana, M., Brum, T. F., Rossi, G. G., Jesus, R. D. S., Grando, T. H., Monteiro, S. G., Anraku de Campos, M. M., Giongo, J. L., & Vianna Santos, R. C. (2016). Antimicrobial, antitrypanosomal and antibiofilm activity of Equisetum hyemale. Microbial Pathogenesis, 101, 119–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2016.11.008
Jiang, Y., Hu, W., Han, W. et al. Antioxidant and nitric oxide production inhibitory activities of scouring rush (Equisetum hyemale L.). Food Sci Biotechnol 21, 1037–1044 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10068-012-0135-9
Li, H., Wang, P., Liu, Q., Cheng, X., Zhou, Y., & Xiao, Y. (2012). Cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis induced by Equisetum hyemale extract in murine leukemia L1210 cells. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 144(2), 322–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.09.015