Anyone who has ever broken a bone, also known as fracture, knows how painful and inconvenient it is. Although the time it takes to heal a broken bone may depend on the location and type of fracture, it often takes months rather than weeks for a break to heal. Other than immobilizing the broken bone there is little other treatment for a fracture, although in some cases surgery is used to pin bones together. The herb horsetail may improve bone density and is sometimes used to help heal fractures, although there is little evidence to prove it works. Get medical advice before using herbal supplements.
Properties and Potential Benefits
Horsetail is a common weed that has been used since the times of ancient Rome and Greece as a medicinal remedy for a variety of ailments including ulcers, tuberculosis and as a wound healing aid. It contains silica which helps to improve bone density. As a result, it is sometimes used as a treatment for the bone disease osteoporosis, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. It is also sometimes administered alongside the mineral calcium to help heal fractures.
Effectiveness
Clinical studies evaluating horsetail's efficacy as a treatment for broken bones are lacking, therefore it is difficult to determine how beneficial it might be. The results of an early study published in the 1999 October issue of the Italian medical journal, "Ortopedica e Traumatologica," found that taking horsetail daily for 80 days help to improve bone density, particularly when administered alongside calcium. More up-to-date studies are required to determine whether taking a horsetail supplement might help to heal a broken bone.
Administration
Horsetail is available as a tea, liquid tincture or in tablets or capsules. Since horsetail is not a proven remedy for broken bones, guidance regarding a suitable dosage for this use is lacking. However, the University of Maryland medical center notes that a typical medicinal dose is 300 mg of an extract standardized to contain 10 percent to 15 percent silica, three times daily. This dosage is only a general guideline, so consult your doctor before taking the quantity of horsetail.
Safety Considerations
Although horsetail is a natural product, it may cause side effects or interact with other drugs you might using. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that it is important to choose a supplement that states it has been prepared from a species of horsetail known as Equisetum arvense. Supplements prepared from a species called Equisetum palustre might not be safe. Do not take horsetail for long periods or drink alcohol while using it. Avoid this herb if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have gout, diabetes or a kidney disorder. Bear in mind that it might interact with other medicines including the heart medicine digoxin and diuretics.
