Equisetum, Horsetail, Mu Zei 木贼 Hippuris, Ephedron, Anabasis Mu Zei (TCM) Khu byug rtsa ljang  ཁུ་བྱུག་རྩ་ལྗང་ (Tibet)

Two varieties of Horsetail
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

E. arvensis
Flora von Deutschland (4), Kohler, 1884

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Botanical name:

Equisetum arvense
Also used are E. maximum, E. sylvaticum, E. palustre, E. limosum, and E. hyemale, the last being also used in TCM

Parts used:

Herb

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Salty, sweet.
thickens, binds

Classifications:

2N. REPELLENTS.    2O. ASTRINGENTS.    2S. STRENGTHENING.    2T. GLUTINATE.    2Z. CICATRIZING

Uses:

1. Clears Heat and Damp, Promotes Urine: (West, Tibet)
-hot, burning Urine; Strangury, Cystitis, Urethritis, Bladder Ulcers
-Acute Prostatitis (BHP specific)
-Leukorrhea, Vaginitis, Gonorrhea

2. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding: (West, Tibet, TCM)
-Spitting or Vomiting Blood, or Blood in the Stool or Urine
-applied externally to stop Bleeding
-“it is very useful in cases of Bleeding”. (Avicenna)

3. Astringes to Stop Leakage: (West)
-Seminal Emission, Spermatorrhea, Incontinence
-constant desire to Urinate in the Elderly
-Enuresis and Incontinence of Children (BHP specific)
-“It is astringent specially its extract is extremely desiccant without causing any irritation”. (Avicenna)

4. Benefits the Bones and Sinews: (West)
-Lower Back weakness
-Arthritis, Rheumatism, Osteoarthritis
-Fractures

5. Clears Heat, Benefits the Eyes: (TCM)
-red, itchy, bloodshot Eyes
-tearing, Cataracts, Conjunctivitis

6. Clears Heat, Benefits the Lungs: (West)
-dry Cough, Wheezing, shortness of Breath, Hemoptysis
-Lung Ulcers, Tuberculosis, Silicosis

7. Clears Stomach Heat:
-ashes have been used for Indigestion and Stomach acidity
-“useful in inflammations of the Stomach and Liver”. (Avicenna)

8. Clears Damp, Resolves Masses:
-Tumors and Cancers of the Abdomen, Intestines, Bones, Liver, Kidney, Stomach and Breast (Duke)

9. Externally:
-good for Wounds, Ulcers, skin Eruptions, as well as Mouth Ulcers etc.
-especially for all poorly healing wounds. ‘Outwardly applied, it cures wounds even when the nerves are cut’. (Pechy)
-The juice or distilled water can be applied to Pustules, and heat-type Swellings of the Genitals in men or women.
-A wash or compress is a valuable application to all types of sores with foul-smelling pus.
-Topically, a strong decoction is used to promote Hair growth, prevent Baldness, and remove Dandruff.
-In Europe it has long been used in baths for various skin diseases

Dose:

 … available in PRO version

Main Combinations:

1. Edema, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
2. Urinary disorders, difficulty or painful Urination:
i. Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
ii. Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
3. Gravel, Stones, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
4. Incontinence, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
5. Prostatitis:
i. Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
ii. Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
6. Ulcers of the Kidney or Bladder, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
7. Arthritis, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lumbago, Fractures, it has been combined Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
8. Trauma to the Tendons or Joints, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
9. Rheumatic pain, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
10. Consumption, take Horsetail powder Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
11. Excess Sweating, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
12. Leukorrhea, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
13. As a wash for Acne, combine Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
14. As a wash for Rashes, combine Horsetail with  … available in PRO version
15. As a wash for Varicose veins, Horsetail with  … available in PRO version

Major Formulas

Infusion for Hernia (Wirtzung)
Decoction for Stones
Wine for Incontinence

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Not for frequent Urination or Dryness
3. Toxic in large doses or long-term use

Main Preparations used:

Distilled Water