Horsetail Herb
Metaphysical Properties Of Horsetail
Official Name: Equisetum arvense
Other Names: Bottle Brush, Dutch Rushes, Paddock Pipes, Peterwort, Shavegrass
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: Earth
Metaphysical Powers: Snake Charming, Fertility
Common Magickal Uses and Folklore Horsetail
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Whistles made of the stems of the Horsetail, when played, will call snakes to the musician.
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Horsetail is also used in fertility mixtures or placed in the bedroom for this purpose.
Horsetail is a member of the Equisetaceae family; it is the sole survivor of a line of plants going back three hundred million years. The name "horsetail" began because the branched species resemble a horse's tail.
Horsetail reinforces resolve and identifies boundaries. It is used for affirmations and helps commitments stay firm and protect the psychic space from unwanted intrusions. It cleanses unwanted emotional debris from the system.
This herb is associated with the planet and energy of Saturn. It is an Earthy, Bitter, Sweet, Cooling, Pungent taste. It works well in uses relating to Atrophy; Plasma, Blood, Fat, Bones. This wondrous herb is beneficial in conditions associated with the Nervous and Respiratory systems, the Kidneys, and Bladder.
The Horsetail is commonly used to strengthen boundaries, protect against intruders in the home, to strengthen commitments, vows, spells, and fertility rituals. It has long been used in the summoning of snakes and preparation of snake potions. It can be used in Anti-aging spells and the cleansing of unnecessary emotional debris from the mind.
Historically, this herb was known well for scouring pots, polishing pewter, sand, or "shave" wood.
In the wilderness, foragers eat the horsetail shoots for food. It can fuse wounds and heal ruptures.
In history, blacksmiths were closely connected with alchemists and knew many of their secrets. Horsetail is valued for its magical strength with weapons and armor. Gardeners appreciate its fungicidal properties in treating mildew and or black spots on roses.
Many cultures have used Horsetail in folk remedies for kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis. The Chinese use it to cool fevers, medications for eye inflammations such as conjunctivitis and corneal disorders, dysentery, flu, swellings, and hemorrhoids.
It has a high content of silica; this plant helps the body to repair bone tissues. Silica helps to fix calcium, so the body can store more of this mineral and use it to repair bones, collagen, and other body tissues. Horsetail can be helpful for osteoporosis. Horsetail is also recommended for anemia and general debility. It has also been used to treat deep-seated lung damage such as tuberculosis or emphysema.
It possesses a diuretic quality that can eliminate water from the body by increasing urination up to 30%. Equisetum arvense appears in most products that generally are sold to help reduce weight. This is due to several components: potassium, calcium, magnesium, ascorbic acid, and caffeic acid.
It can be taken internally to stop bleeding from ulcers or curb heavy menstrual bleeding. It can be used as a gargle and mouth rinse for sore throat and bleeding gums or mouth ulcers. Externally it may be applied as a compress to fractures and sprains, wounds, sores, skin problems, and a gargle for mouth and gum inflammations.
Horsetail has been proven administration of silicic acid causes leukocytosis (a temporary increase in white blood cells). Equisetin's silica content encourages the absorption and use of calcium by the body and helps to guard against fatty deposits in the arteries.