Silica Horsetail: Properties, Uses & Benefits

Horsetail is a type of plant that has been used since ancient Greece and Rome as a medicine. The medicinal properties of horsetail are attributable to the silica found in the stem and other structures.

Appearance

• Horsetail plants resemble a very tall fern with their lush, green fronds. The stems of a horsetail plant looks like a green reed, and the silica inside has a white, shiny appearance.

Size

• The average horsetail varieties that contain silica are between one and two feet tall, according to the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.

Geography

• Horsetails containing silica are native to North America, Africa, Asia and Europe.

Medical Uses

• The silica in horsetail is used in alternative medicine to treat urinary tract infections, kidney stones, minor burns, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains and fractures, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Cosmetic Benefits

• Some beauty products contain horsetail silica to strengthen hair and nails.