Horsetail is an herb that has been used since the time of the Greeks and Romans to treat a variety of conditions. However, horsetail may cause serious side effects. The plant contains compounds that may be toxic to children and should not be administered to children at any dosage level. Additionally, horsetail supplements may be contaminated with potentially poisonous versions of the herb. Speak to your doctor about the possible dangers before using horsetail to treat any condition.
Horsetail
Horsetail -- also known by its scientific name Equisetum arvense and the common names bottle brush, shave grass and Dutch rush -- is a fern-like plant that grows wild in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia and Africa. Horsetail stems contain high concentrations of bioflavonoids, flavone glycosides like isoquercitrin and the saponin compound equisetonin. The ancient Greeks and Romans used the herb to treat urological problems and tuberculosis and to heal skin wounds and ulcers. Modern alternative medicine practitioners use horsetail tinctures, teas, compresses and dried preparations to control bleeding, prevent osteoporosis and to promote bladder and kidney health. However, Drugs.com reports that there is not enough reliable scientific evidence to prove that horsetail supplementation is effective at treating any of these conditions.
Dosage for Children
According to The University of Maryland Medical Center, there is no safe horsetail dosage for children. Horsetail contains nicotine, a compound that is toxic to children even in small amounts. Children who have used the hollow stems of the horsetail plant as makeshift whistles or blowguns have suffered from nicotine poisoning. Mild cases of nicotine poisoning can cause vomiting, muscle weakness, dizziness and abdominal pain, while more severe cases can result in difficulty breathing, sharp fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate, seizures and possible coma or death. Do not give children any form of horsetail.
Possible Side Effects
Horsetail can cause a number of other side effects, including dermatitis, rashes, weakness or an abnormally fast heart rate. Horsetail should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, people who consume alcohol regularly and anyone with a history of gout, diabetes, nicotine sensitivity, kidney disease, hypokalemia -- potassium deficiency -- or cardiovascular disorders. Horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that causes the breakdown of the vitamin thiamine. Consuming too much horsetail can result in thiamine deficiency or even liver damage. If you are taking digoxin, dietary supplements that contain chromium, lithium, the herb areca, diuretics or are using nicotine products like gum or patches, avoid horsetail supplementation.
Considerations
Horsetail supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not checked for effectiveness, purity or safety. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that one species of horsetail, Equisetum palustre, may be poisonous and that you may unknowingly purchase a supplement contaminated with this type of horsetail if you obtain products from disreputable sources. Even if you use the safest form of horsetail, few clinical trials and research studies exist to determine safe dosage ranges and the effects of long-term use. Do not use horsetail in any form -- and do not give it to children -- unless you are under the direction and supervision of a doctor.
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