The extraordinary properties of horsetail extract

What is horsetail?

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) is a perennial plant belonging to the Equisetaceae family. It is characterised by its two types of stems: fertile brownish-yellow ones that first appear at the end of winter or beginning of spring, and sterile green stems that emerge from the fertile stems in the middle of summer and die back when winter arrives.

In ancient times, the plant was as tall as our modern-day palm trees, but nowadays they are much smaller. However, horsetail continues to be one of the most abundant sources of silica in the plant kingdom; it is so rich in silica that our ancestors in the Middle Ages used it to polish metal.

In traditional medicine, horsetail was used as a diuretic, haemostatic and remineraliser. In the past, it was thought that its diuretic activity was produced by the plant’s inorganic elements (silica), but it has now been shown that the action is due to flavonoids and saponins. The plant has a haemostatic and healing action and its high silica content means that it also has remineralising activity, which makes it an ingredient with great potential for skin and hair care.

Diuretic activity

Its mineral salts, together with the action of the equisetonin, flavonoids and gallic acid, act synergistically as a mild diuretic without it altering the water-electrolyte balance (Alonso, J. Tratado de Fitofármacos y Nutracéuticos. Barcelona: Corpus, 2004, p: 451-456 (633.8 ALO)). Horsetail extract is therefore attributed tissue disinfiltrating and draining properties that increase urine production by acting as a diuretic, resulting in a system that is continuously cleansed and detoxified. This detoxification contributes, among other things, to the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide in the hair follicles, which causes loss of pigmentation of the hair, thereby preventing the appearance of grey hairs.

Activity on the blood circulation

Silica is an integral part of the blood vessel walls. Its presence is essential for synthesising collagen and elastin fibres, so it helps to maintain the elasticity of the vessels. This, together with contractility, are two essential characteristics for the proper function of the blood circulation, which leads to improved hair follicle health. The ultimate result is prevention of continuous hair loss and, in particular, stimulation of hair growth.

Another of the compounds found in horsetail is flavonoids, which are venoactive and vasoprotective because they reduce hair permeability and increase its strength. This protective effect is due to the high affinity of flavonoids for proline-rich proteins such as collagen and elastin (Bruneton J. Farmacognosia. Zaragoza: Ed. Acribia, 2001; p: 317-321; 382-385 (651*1 BRU)).

 Remineralising activity

Horsetail is a medicinal plant with great remineralising power thanks to the action of the silicon and other elements. The purpose of including horsetail in our diet is to help the skin and hair find a natural balance thanks to its content of mineral salts and vitamins. These active ingredients offer us a natural way to restore vitality and prevent oxidation of the skin and hair. Horsetail extract is therefore a highly recommendable ingredient for stimulating and revitalising the skin and hair.

Dry horsetail extract forms part of the exclusive formulation of two REDENHAIR products, and although they have different functions, it has a number of beneficial actions that complement each of these products:

-          REDENHAIR ANTI-GREY HAIR. Thanks to its antioxidant and remineralising effect, horsetail extract helps disintegrate hydrogen peroxide, which causes loss of hair pigmentation and leads to the appearance of grey hair.

-          REDENHAIR HAIR NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT. Together with a number of vitamins and other extracts, horsetail extract favours the normal synthesis of proteins such as keratin, which is essential for hair growth and protects the cells from oxidative damage.

The mineral silica contained in horsetail extract strengthens the structural integrity of the hair and also improves its shine and texture. It also stimulates hair growth thanks to the content of another mineral in this amazing natural extract: selenium. Selenium helps the body to process iodine, the element that regulates hair growth. Selenium deficiency is the main cause of slow hair growth and brittle hair.

Horsetail extract has various benefits for the hair that make it a basic element in our diet. REDENHAIR ANTI-GREY HAIR and REDENHAIR HAIR NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT are natural nutritional supplements that offer you all the benefits of this legendary medicinal plant.