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Herb Gardener Tips An Herb-Covered Garden Path Herb of the Month

Herb of the Month

Horsetail, Equisetum arvense

Horsetail is a hardy, spore-bearing, plant that bestrides the world, except Australia, and is virtually unchanged since forming whole forests in Palaeozoic times. High in silicia, its abrasive properties were used from medieval times as flails, scouring pads and metal cleaners. Some horsetails have minute deposits of gold which miners use as visual clues for locating potential sites. It is very weedy, and can take over an area quickly. It like dry and very damp soils. It often grows around creeks, ponds, and fountains.

Healing Uses:

Horsetail is the sole known source of organic soluable silica available to humans. Bitter-sweet E. hyemale is used in Chinese medicine for eye inflammations, and in Ayurvedic medicine for urinary tract complaints, fractures and venereal disease. Restricted to short-term use, field horsetail is used internally for prostrate problems, usually in conjunction with Hydrangea arborescens or other demulcent herbs, or for kidney ailments when boiled in wine.

Home Uses:

The most practical usage of E. arvense is for brittle or splitting nails, not uncommon in earth delving gardeners. Horsetail is useful to have on hand to staunch external wounds and nosebleeds, as it is an excellent clotting agent.

Gardener's Nail Treatment recipe:

Use two adequately sized glass bowls to accommodate finger nails and toe nails. Keep in reserve 1 tbsp. sweet almond oil. Put 2 tbsp chopped horsetail herb into a stainless steel pan and pour over 1 cup boiled water. Cover and infuse for about 30 minutes. Strain off horsetail plant material and pour into finger and toe bowls. Soak nails in liquid for 10-15 minutes. Remove, dry and massage almond oil into finger and toe nails. Store infusion in tightly closed glass container.

Read our Archived Herb Articles

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	Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis Lemon Balm was our herb of the month in August 2007. CLICK HERE
	Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2007. CLICK HERE
	Epazote, (Chenopodium amborsiodes) Epazote was our herb of the month in June 2007. CLICK HERE
	Sage, (Salvia species) Sage was our herb of the month in May 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in April 2007. CLICK HERE
	Rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis Our herb of the month in March 2007. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis Our herb of the month in February 2007. CLICK HERE
	Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa Our herb of the month in January 2007. CLICK HERE
	Ginger, Zingiber officinale Our herb of the month in November 2006. CLICK HERE
	Chamomile, Roman or German Chamaemelum nobile or Matricaria recutita Our herb of the month in October 2006. CLICK HERE
	Nasturtium, Tropaeolum majus Our herb of the month in September 2006. CLICK HERE
	Horsetail, Equisetum arvense Our herb of the month in August 2006. CLICK HERE
	Cayenne, Capsicum frutescens Our herb of the month in June 2006. CLICK HERE
	Lemon Verbena, Lippia citriodoro Our herb of the month in May 2006 . CLICK HERE
	Scented Geranium, (Pelargonium species) Our herb of the month in April 2006 and Herb of the Year 2006 . CLICK HERE
	Mexican Mint Marigold, (Tagetes Lucida) Our herb of the month in March 2006. CLICK HERE
	Rose, Rosa Species Revisit Rose, our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE
	Sweet Bay, (Grecian Laurel) Laurus nobilis Our herb of the month in January 2006. CLICK HERE
	Herbs of the Bible Our herb of the month in Decembers 2005. CLICK HERE
	Sage, (Salvia species) Sage was our herb of the month in November 2005. CLICK HERE
	Lemongrass, (Cymbopogon citratus) Tender perennial Lemongrass was our herb of the month in October 2005. CLICK HERE
	Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale Dandelion was our herb of the month in September 2005. CLICK HERE
	Borage, Borago officinalis Borage was our herb of the month in August 2005. CLICK HERE
	Basil, Ocimum basilicum Basil was our herb of the month in July 2005. CLICK HERE
	Scented Geranium, Pelargonium species Parsley was our herb of the month in May/June 2005. CLICK HERE
	Parsley, Petroselinum sativum Parsley was our herb of the month in March/April 2005. CLICK HERE
	Rose, Rosa Species Rose was our herb of the month in February 2005. CLICK HERE
	Arugula, Roquette, Eruca vesiceria sub, sativa Arugula was our herb of the month in January 2005. CLICK HERE
	Calendula, Pot Marigold, Calendula officinalis Calendula was our herb of the month in December 2004. CLICK HERE
	Winter Savory, Satureja Montana Winter Savory was our herb of the month in November 2004. CLICK HERE
	Coriander, Cilantro, Coriandrum sativum Echinacea was our herb of the month in October 2004. CLICK HERE
	Echinacea (Purple Coneflower) Echinacea was our herb of the month in September 2004. CLICK HERE
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	Mint Mint was our herb of the month in July 2004. CLICK HERE
	Hoja Santum Hoja Santum was our herb of the month in June 2004. CLICK HERE
	Lavender Lavender was our herb of the month in May 2004. CLICK HERE
	Thyme Thyme was our herb of the month in April 2004. CLICK HERE
	Oregano Oregano was our herb of the month in October 2003. CLICK HERE
	Peppermint Ideas Peppermint was our herb of the month in August 2003. Our readers sent in these ideas on how they use peppermint. CLICK HERE
	Fall Herb Gardening CLICK HERE