Feb 17 2010
Hemorrhoids and the Many Benefits of Horsetail
Horsetail is one of the oldest known herbal remedies. It is even believed that this plant is a close relative of the trees which grew on this planet around 270 million years ago. The Greeks have used this to heal the wounds and the Chinese to combat fever. And even today, horsetail is showing its capabilities in treating different health problems. Not too many people are familiar with the medicinal benefits of this herb hence they consider this plant ordinary and unwanted but herbalists appreciate the medicinal value of horsetail.
Horsetail is already a popular herbal remedy for inflammations. Some of the major properties of this plant are alkaloids and other minerals such as potassium, manganese, and magnesium. With all these, horsetail is now considered a potent remedy for different conditions such as hemorrhoids. As an herbal remedy, this plant is used as an astringent, anti-inflammatory, tissue healer and strong diuretic.
Among the different parts of the horsetail, the most commonly used are the aerial parts where the astringent is found. The jointed stems of the plant however are still used in different herbal remedies. The stems of the horsetail can be used to stop nosebleeds and heavy menstruation. With this kind of benefit, horsetail can be very useful to stop bleeding caused by hemorrhoids.
To treat your bleeding hemorrhoids, you need to take up to 6 grams of the horsetail per day for internal use. You can also take 2 teaspoons of tincture or 10 ml three times in a day. Another method that you can choose in getting rid of your hemorrhoid is to drink a horsetail tea. This type of method is mostly preferred by many because it is easier and hassle-free. To make the tea, start boiling 2-4 teaspoons of the herb in one cup of water for about five minutes. Let the horsetail tea stay further for 10 minutes before straining it to the cup. After that, you can drink it at least twice a day. Aside from drinking it, the tea can also be used externally and internally for best results.
In general, horsetail is considered safe but there are other species of this plant that are considered unsafe to use. This unsafe specie is known as the Equisetum palustre since it contains toxic alkaloids and brings greater concern because it is considered as a livestock poison.
Aside from hemorrhoids, horsetail is also popular in treating urinary tract infections and prostate disorders. It can even help control bet-wetting and treat different skin conditions including eczema and acne. Many herbalists also use horsetail as a herbal remedy for lung disease. Other uses of this plant include treating eye inflammations and infections like conjunctivitis and corneal disorders.