Can Horsetail Tea Aid In Weight Loss?

What is Horsetail?

Picture a plant that’s more of a mystery than a traditional flowery friend. Yep, that’s Horsetail for you – no blossoms, no leaves, just standing there like a lone green soldier. It’s not your everyday plant; it’s got a trick or two up its sleeve. Imagine, when the spring air tickles its fancy, it shoots up looking like something out of a veggie patch, all asparagus-like. Fast forward to summer, and bam, it transforms into the go-to plant for DIY wellness buffs. Why, you ask? Well, this quirky stick turns into teas, creams, and potions aiming to knock out a bunch of health concerns (2). For those riding the natural remedy wave, stumbling upon Horsetail is like finding a hidden gem. Stick around, and I’ll show you why this peculiar, leafless champ might just be the new MVP in your health routine.

People collect it at the beginning of the summer and use it to prepare horsetail tea. It is best known for its diuretic properties. However, it’s suitable for some other medical conditions too. It found its application in the field of cosmetics as well.

Horsetail contains alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, carotene, vitamin C, resins, macro, and microelements. It also contains silicic acid which is especially useful for weight loss. This acid, in addition to silicon, contains calcium, which is why horsetail is an excellent remedy for fractures and injuries of ligaments. Since the level of silicon in bones and connective tissue decreases over time, tea made from horsetail is a natural substitute for this vital mineral (1).

The taste of the horsetail is rather unpleasant. The plant doesn’t have a distinctive smell. It contains silicon, potassium, manganese, saponin, tannin, phenolic acid, 15 kinds of bioflavonoids, alkaloids and more. High levels of silicon found in this plant strengthen the connective tissue, ligaments, bones and affect the quality of hair and nails (2).

To benefit from its natural powers, you must be very careful when using it. You must prepare it adequately. It is recommended to purchase horsetail only from trusted health food stores. Because besides this type of horsetail, there are also other, similar species that are not suitable for use or even poisonous.

Horsetail is mostly used internally, in the form of tea, but can also be applied externally. Its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties are extraordinary (3). The human immune system greatly benefits from this plant.

It is, however, one of those plants that require more attention when being used. Any improper use can reduce its positive effects or cause some adverse effects.

How does it work?

The health benefits of horsetail are numerous, including:

• stimulates the work of the kidneys (this helps in the release of harmful
• substances from the body),
• helps with inflammations and wounds in your mouth,
• helps with disorders in the digestive system,
• stimulates blood flow,
• it can be relaxing (used as a sedative),
• because of the flavonoids, it is anti-inflammatory,
• good for hair and nails,
• helps osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and connective tissue dysfunction,
• helps lower blood cholesterol,
• actively participates in raising immunity and preventing seasonal diseases,
• natural diuretic,
• aids in weight loss (2).

Now, let’s focus on the benefits related to weight loss.

Horsetail for weight loss

In particular, silicon contributes to the elimination of metabolic waste gives purification effect on the human body. Thanks to the silicon found in horsetail, this robust plant helps effectively burn fat (3). It is suitable for those who follow a strict diet and want quick results, without a significant “sacrifice”. Proper nutrition with the addition of a regular exercise and horsetail tea will lead you to the desired results in no time.

Horsetail as diuretic

Horsetail is a potent natural diuretic. This is why horsetail tea is used for weight loss. It quickly helps to release excess water from the body and stimulate metabolism. It is particularly useful in menopause or premenopausal women when swelling of skin and fluid retention can occur. Horsetail tea will thus help you to get rid of the excess water (3).

However, you must reinforce its effects with regular exercise and proper nutrition.

Horsetail is rich in minerals

This is probably one of the most beneficial effects of horsetail. Tea made of this plant is very rich in minerals (4). Its effectiveness should not be underestimated, but it must be consumed in moderate amounts.

Preparing this tea at home is very simple. You can get the key ingredient, dried horsetail leaves or powder from a certified herbalist or tea and healthy food store. Use 200 gr of leaves per cup of tea. Put the leaves into a pot and pour cold water over it. Bring it to the boiling point. Turn the heat off, place the lid over the pot and let it “rest” for half an hour. Tea is ready for use after you have filtered it. You should consume this tea two to three times a day, after a meal.

This tea helps the regeneration of your body by providing it the right amount of minerals. It fights osteoporosis, anemia, and even facilitates recovery after a bone fracture.

Minerals from the horsetail tea are important in the weight loss process because most of the popular diets are poor in minerals. Patients often suffer from anemia and other disorders caused by lack of nutrients (4).

A plant effective in fighting cellulite

This powerful plant can also be applied locally to combat the cellulite (5). Cellulite, women’s worst enemy, is often tough to get rid of. It can be deep inside our tissue, persistent or even painful.

Mix a spoon of dried horsetail leaves or even better, organic horsetail powder, with a little bit of warm water. Apply this mixture to the area affected by cellulite. Allow it to work for twenty minutes and then rinse thoroughly. Repeat the procedure every day until you notice significant improvements. This horsetail mixture will definitely smoothen your skin and reduce cellulite.

Another useful mixture that can be used during weight loss massages and as an anti-cellulite ally is the horsetail mud. If you use the following mixture three or more times a week, as a massage mud, it will surely improve the elasticity of your skin, tissue, smoothen the skin and diminish the cellulite.

Mix 5 tablespoons of green clay and 3 tablespoons of dried horsetail. Pour this mixture into the previously prepared and filtered horsetail tea. Mix it until you get a dense and homogeneous mud. Stir well and apply in a thin layer on the surface you want to treat. Allow it to stand for twenty minutes and then rinse with warm water.

Possible side effects

Like any other plant that has found its application in alternative medicine, horsetail can also have some side effects. It is necessary to inform oneself about the correct use of this plant.

First of all, this refers to the mode of use and the recommended dose. Finding out about all possible side effects is very important before starting the horsetail for weight loss treatment. Our advice is to always consult a doctor, a pharmacist or a medical care provider beforehand.

Depending on whether it is used for the internal or external use, horsetail can cause allergic reactions in hypersensitive individuals. Sometimes, these allergies can have some serious effects. The most common manifestations are rash and mild digestive disorders, including:

• Nausea,
• Diarrhea,
• Stomach pain (3).

When to avoid it?

Horsetail tea must be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is not recommended for children either. The same applies to people who follow diuretic and antihypertensive therapy (3).

If not consumed in a moderate way, various undesirable effects may occur. Apart from nausea, muscle weakness and various skin problems, vitamin B1 deficiency can also occur after longer consumption of horsetail tea (6).

The reason is hidden in the presence of the enzyme called thiaminase. Thiaminase negatively affects vitamin B1. This is why medical doctors suggest that using vitamin B1 supplements together with horsetail tea is a good idea.

Finally, people suffering from a limited kidney function should avoid using horsetail.

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