Horsetail, a plant of the Equasetum species, is a natural medicine that is used as a mild diuretic and nutritional supplement. As with all diuretics, horsetail has the potential to lower potassium levels. Nutritionists include horsetail with other herbs that are high in potassium to counteract this effect. Horsetail has significant levels of potassium itself that, along with silica, iron and calcium, win this herb a coveted spot on any herbalist's list of trusted diuretics. Naturopathic medicine promotes a holistic approach to health with minimal use of surgeries and drugs. Consult your physician before attempting naturopathic remedies at home.
Diuretics
Diuretics stimulate the kidneys and increase urination. Diuretics treat conditions such as edema and hypertension. As the kidneys eliminate waste, electrolytes such as potassium are released with the urine. This is how diuretics like horsetail can cause hypokalemia (low potassium levels).
Hypokalemia Symptoms
Although horsetail is a mild diuretic, excessive amounts can be hazardous. According to MayoClinic.com, low potassium symptoms include weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation and abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmia. Most commercially prepared horsetail tinctures or teas have recommended dosage amounts listed on the package.
Potassium in Horsetail
Horsetail is a primitive plant genus that has been around for over 300 million years. This herb has survived so long because it has a root system that mines nutrients from deep within the soil, which makes horsetail rich in trace minerals. This is an advantage over other diuretics because it contains high levels of potassium and therefore replenishes the mineral as the kidneys flush out stored potassium. According to the nutritional profile chart provided in "Nutritional Herbology," horsetail has 1,560 mg of potassium per 100 g of herb.
Suggested Dosage
The authors of the "Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines" note that the suggested dose of horsetail is up to 6 grams of the herb per day for internal use or 2 tsp./10 mL three times daily in tincture form. Horsetail tea may be taken two or three times daily. Horsetail is safe to use externally.
Horsetail may lower thiamine levels when taken unprocessed by heat or alcohol.
Warnings
Although most varieties of horsetail are safe to use, Equisetum arvse is the most common and most frequently tested species. Equisetum palustre, another horsetail variety, is an exception to this rule because it is hazardous to livestock.
Horsetail may lower thiamine levels when taken unprocessed by heat or alcohol.
Consult a qualified health care practitioner for potential interactions with prescription medications or if you are pregnant or nursing.
References
- The American Pharmaceutical Association: Ecology and Physiology of the Giant Horsetails
- Mayo Clinic: Hypokalmeia
- "The Complete Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines"; M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, et al.; 1998
- "Nutritional Herbology"; Mark Pederson; 1998
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