Field horsetail is an unpretentious plant that many gardeners and gardeners consider a weed. However, it has its own useful medicinal properties, due to which it is used in folk medicine. To be able to distinguish it among other field plants, it is worth taking a look at the photo of the horsetail of the field and get acquainted with its detailed description.
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There are many varieties of grass,it is spread all over the world. However, in Russia and Europe there is only a small species, not reaching half a meter in height.
How does the horsetail look like
Externally, this plant is often like a small bright green Christmas tree not taller than the usual grass. It grows everywhere, so for sure every person at least once in his life saw him in a forest or a city park.
For the entire period of growth, this plant changes its appearance two times. In spring, at the very beginning of the period of activity, the horsetail is dominated by pinkish or brownish light fleshy shoots with large pronounced inflorescences. Then the plant gives off spores, after which it acquires a more familiar form, reminiscent of spruce paws. It is after the plant is green, its shoots and leaves begin to collect and harvest for the preparation of various folk remedies.
Important! Some varieties of horsetail are poisonous, one must be able to distinguish a safe field from dangerous varieties.
The field horsetail always grows stems upwards, the horsetail, which is dangerous for health use, usually slopes towards the ground, its secondary branches grow horizontally. The poisonous marsh horsetail is unbranched, its branches go obliquely upward, they are usually irregular in shape, the denticles and the branches of the branches are dark brown, almost black in color.
In order to minimize the probability of error during the collection, it is necessary to pay attention to the very name of the field horsetail. A suitable plant grows exclusively in the fields, one should not look for it in the forests or on the swamp.
Photo
Harvested raw material
Usually use the entire aboveground part of the plant, after it acquires a green tint. Harvest horsetail is advised in the second half of summer, it is dried in a cool dry place. Harvested raw materials are suitable for use for four years, after which it loses useful properties.
In dried grass, the color becomes greyish-green, the brightness inherent in the fresh plant disappears. The smell of dried grass is absent, it tastes slightly acidic. If there is any doubt about the correctness of drying or harvested horsetail, you should purchase raw materials already prepared.
Important! The horsetail is also used in raw form.
Useful properties
Grass is used in folk medicine, it is sometimes included in official medicines. Also there is application of this plant in cosmetology. Spore shoots resembling tubers, which are collected before the main collection of leaves, sometimes used in cooking.
This plant contains many useful substances: flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, carotene, traces of alkaloids. Thanks to the many useful substances in the horsetail of the field, there are many useful properties that make it possible to apply it everywhere.
Horsetail has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties, promotes detoxification of the body, the removal of harmful substances and metals from the body. Preparations based on horsetail improve the process of hematopoiesis, help with a number of diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
For cosmetic purposes take a variety of baths, lotions, compresses based on decoctions and infusions of grass. They help to combat various inflammatory processes on the skin, it is usually used in the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis, oily seborrhea, with increased fat content of the facial skin.
Also on the basis of decoctions and infusions, preparations are prepared to improve the hair condition with increased fat content of the scalp, dandruff. Thanks to tannins, grass-based products dry out the skin and normalize the sebum secretion.
The tubers collected in the spring are consumed. Outwardly and in composition, they resemble potatoes, they contain a lot of starch and other nutrients. Tubers usually boil, after which they are easily removed from the skin, they can be eaten.
Grass is also used in everyday life. Powder, made on the basis of field horsetail, is used for polishing furniture. Decoction based on this plant can be used in a garden or garden to protect plants from pests, while the plantings themselves do not cause harm.
Therapeutic properties and contraindications
The herb is used for a number of different diseases, it is based on the manufacture of several different agents with a laxative and diuretic effect. These properties of the grass are most pronounced.
Most often, various means based on horsetail are used to combat edema of various origins, with kidney failure, heart failure. You can use the herb for various diseases of the urinary tract, inflammatory processes against the background of cystitis or urethritis.
Horsetail is used in the treatment of various skin diseases, usually of an allergic nature. Especially effective are preparations based on it against eczema, pruritus, vulgar acne, atopic dermatitis. Also horsetail is used against hair loss, psoriasis, the formation of trophic ulcers, decubitus, various connective tissue diseases.
Juice and horsetail preparations help the hematopoiesis process, so they are often used for various skin injuries, cuts to stop bleeding and prepare for a full healing. Often horsetail is a part of various herbal collections, where its properties are even better.
Before using herbal remedies, consult a specialist and check for contraindications. In some cases, horsetail, on the contrary, can worsen the course of the disease.
This plant should not be used in various kidney diseases, especially in nephritis, nephrosis, because the substances contained in the grass irritate the kidneys. For the same reason, you should not take her long courses, it is worth constantly taking breaks.
If you have an unpleasant sensation in the kidney after taking it, you should stop using this tool. Also caution should be used horsetail with a high tendency to thrombosis, it can adversely affect the operation of blood vessels.
In other cases, the intake of various folk remedies based on field horsetail is acceptable. The main thing is to strictly observe dosages in folk and conservative medical prescriptions, in case of side effects one should abandon such treatment.