Evidence supporting the use of: Horsetail
For the health condition: Calcium Deficiency

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) has a long history of traditional use in herbal medicine, primarily for supporting bone health and aiding conditions thought to be related to calcium deficiency. The rationale for its use comes from its high silica content, as silica has been associated with bone formation and the facilitation of calcium deposition in bones in some traditional medical systems. Historical herbal texts from Europe and other regions have recommended horsetail as a tonic for bones, nails, and hair, with the belief that strengthening these tissues would also help counteract the effects of calcium deficiency such as weak bones or osteoporosis.

However, direct scientific evidence confirming horsetail as an effective treatment for calcium deficiency is limited. While a few laboratory and animal studies suggest that silica may play a supporting role in bone mineralization and the utilization of calcium, there is currently insufficient clinical research in humans to validate horsetail’s efficacy for this purpose. Most modern uses of horsetail for calcium deficiency are therefore based on traditional practice rather than robust scientific validation. As such, it should not be considered a substitute for medically recommended sources of calcium or treatments for calcium deficiency, though it may be used as a supplementary herb in some traditional or alternative health contexts.

More about horsetail
More about Calcium Deficiency