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Equisetum arvense is known as a field horsetail or common horsetail.
Field horsetail is considered a weed, although it has uses as a medicinal plant.
It grows in wetlands and sandy, from sea level to 1800 m.
It grows around rivers, streams or wet walls.
It grows in temperate and cold zones of the northern hemisphere.
It is a herbaceous perennial with rhizomes.
Fertile and sterile stems contains distinct.
Fertile stems to 30 cm, ending in a conifer cone where the sporangia are located.
Sterile stems to 60 cm, and they are striated.
The stems contain sterile leaves called microfils features in verticils.
Its main components are acids, campesterol, equisetrina, equisetonina, tiamisina, minerals and alkaloids.
For internal use, is a great diuretic. Used throughout the plant.
It is considered one of the best metabolic cleansing.
For external use, is a great astringent and vulnerary. Used a decoction of dried leaves.
It also has carminative, anodyne, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, hemostatic and antihemorrhagic properties.
However,their consumption causes the decrease of thiamine and potassium in the body.
It's potentially toxic because it contains alkaloids, for example the palustrina.
Is not recommended to take the field horsetail for a long time, for this toxic character.
The liquid obtained from the decoction can be used as an organic insecticide.