what is it for and how to do it

Horsetail tea is one of the most used to aid weight loss, thanks to its high diuretic power. However, horsetail has other benefits, as it acts directly on other organs and parts of the body. Furthermore, it is a medicinal plant, Equisetum arvense Tea is made from the dried stem of the plant, which can be found in health food stores or compounding pharmacies.

The plant is native to the arctic and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, popularly called equisetus and equisetus minor. However, horsetail is a descendant of a larger plant, whose origins date back more than three hundred million years. In fact, in Ancient Greece, horsetail tea was used as a natural diuretic. Currently, the plant grows in Europe, Canada and North America.

In short, horsetail tea, as it is a diuretic, helps combat fluid retention in the body. Therefore, the tea can be used to treat kidney stones and urinary tract infections. Furthermore, it also has anti-inflammatory action and helps to strengthen bones. However, despite all the health benefits for the body, excessive use of the plant can cause side effects. For example, severe headache or pancreatitis.

Horsetail tea: properties and benefits

Horsetail tea has several properties that help with body functions. As a diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, healing, remineralizing, bone strengthening and hypotensive action. Therefore, the medicinal plant is rich in:

• Flavonoids – quercetin and apigenin
• Phenolic compounds – caffeic and cinnamic acids
• Mineral salts – calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and silicic acid
• In addition, horsetail has the following active ingredients: saponins, tannins, alkaloids, various acids, resins, vitamin C, lignans and water-soluble compounds derived from silicon.

In short, horsetail tea has been widely used by people who want to lose weight or have fluid retention problems. However, you need to consult your doctor to enjoy all the benefits of horsetail, without suffering from side effects.

Furthermore, among the main benefits of horsetail tea, we can highlight:

• Helps combat fluid retention, reducing body swelling.
• Helps in burning localized fat. Because it works by eliminating liquids that cause excess weight.
• Fights urinary tract infections and other types of kidney problems.
• Lowers blood pressure, eliminating excess fluid from blood vessels.
• Strengthens bones, increasing their resistance and improving bone health.
• Due to the presence of essential oils (thymol and cineole), it helps eliminate fungi (Candida sp.) and bacteria such as Escherichia coli (causes urinary tract infections) and Staphylococcus aureus (affects the lungs and skin).

Horsetail tea: indications

1- Combat fluid retention

Due to its high diuretic power, thanks to large amounts of flavonoids and mineral salts, horsetail tea combats fluid retention and swelling in the body. Because it works by increasing the production and elimination of fluids through urine.

2- Helps with weight loss

Horsetail tea is rich in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and diuretic substances. Like flavonoids and caffeic acid, for example. Which are responsible for increasing localized fat burning and eliminating excess fluids.

Furthermore, mackerel has caffeic acid, which has a thermogenic effect. In other words, it works by increasing metabolism and burning fat. Therefore, the medicinal plant is recommended to help with weight loss.

3- Fight urinary infection

Just as it is a strong ally in combating fluid retention, horsetail tea also combats kidney problems, such as urine infections. This happens due to its diuretic action, which works by stimulating the elimination of urine, together with bacteria from the urinary tract. Which are responsible for causing these diseases.

4- Reduce blood pressure

Horsetail tea is also indicated for controlling blood pressure, thanks to its diuretic action. In short, by increasing fluid elimination, the volume of fluid in the blood vessels decreases. Consequently, it reduces the effort that the heart makes when pumping blood, causing blood pressure to decrease.

5- Maintain bone health

Horsetail tea is also recommended for strengthening and maintaining bone health. Well, mackerel is rich in mineral salts, such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, responsible for bone health.

According to studies, horsetail helps to inhibit bone degradation, in addition to stimulating the formation and regeneration of bone cells. In this way, it works to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, osteopenia or rickets, for example.

6- Improve the appearance of nails and skin

Horsetail has silica in its composition, which helps reduce fragility and the formation of waves in the nails. Furthermore, it improves hydration, hardens and strengthens your nails, making them grow healthier.

Likewise, horsetail tea helps improve the appearance of the skin. The medicinal plant has astringent, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which combat free radicals (cause premature aging) and reduce skin oiliness, preventing the appearance of pimples.

Horsetail tea: ways of using it

Although horsetail tea is the most used form of the medicinal plant, there are other ways to consume it. For example, you can find it in the form of 100 mg capsules, which should be consumed after breakfast and lunch.

Likewise, there is an option for a dry extract of the plant, which can be consumed between 200 and 500 mg per day. The powder option can be consumed 1 to 2 grams before each meal. As long as you follow the doctor’s instructions.

Furthermore, horsetail can also be used to gargle, compresses and sitz baths. Therefore, to take a sitz bath you must place 3 handfuls of dry stems in water and remain immersed for 5 to 10 minutes.

How to prepare horsetail tea

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of dry mackerel stem;
• 1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode

First, add the mackerel to the cup of boiling water. Then, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, strain and it’s ready to drink. Therefore, the ideal is to drink up to two cups a day. Preferably, after the main meals of the day.

However, consumption of horsetail tea should be moderate, no more than a week at a time. Because it can cause dehydration and elimination of essential minerals for the body. Furthermore, due to the diuretic effects, it is not advisable to take it at night.

Horsetail tea: contraindications

Despite being a natural product, there are certain restrictions regarding the use of horsetail tea. Therefore, consuming large quantities and for a very long period of time can cause the loss of important minerals for the body. Resulting in side effects such as:

• Diarrhea
• Strong headache
• Dehydration
• Weight loss
• Pancreatitis
• Change in heart rate
• Muscle weakness
• Motor coordination problems
• Hypothermia
• Anorexia
• Dysphagia

Furthermore, pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume horsetail tea. As well as people suffering from heart failure, low blood pressure and kidney disease. Well, mackerel, in addition to reducing blood pressure, is highly diuretic.

Additionally, the medicinal plant can affect medications such as anticoagulants, other diuretics, antihypertensives, calcium and tannins.

Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist so that they can advise on the best way to use mackerel.

So, if you liked this article, you will also like this one: Teas to lose weight: the 13 best teas to lose weight and lose belly fat.