Equisetum, Horsetail, Mu Zei 木贼

Mu Zei (TCM)
Two varieties of Horsetail
Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

Greater Horsetail, the right showing a spindle of wound horsetail for selling.
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

4 different varieties of Horsetail
New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563

E. arvensis
Flora von Deutschland (4), Kohler, 1884
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:
-hot, burning Urine

2. Clears Heat, Stops Bleeding:
-Bleeding from heat

3. Astringes to Stop Leakage:
-Seminal Emission, Spermatorrhea, Incontinence

4. Benefits the Bones and Sinews:
-Lower Back weakness, Arthritis

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

6. Clears Heat, Benefits the Lungs:
-dry Cough, Wheezing, shortness of Breath, Hemoptysis

7. Clears Stomach Heat:
-ashes have been used for Indigestion and Stomach acidity

8. Clears Damp, Resolves Masses:

9. Externally:
-The juice or distilled water can be applied to Pustules, and heat-type Swellings of the Genitals in men or women.
-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


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