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There are many different types of plants that can thrive alongside Horsetails. Some examples include:
1) Ferns (e.g., Polypodium vulgare), which may help protect the soil and reduce erosion
2) Nettles (Urtica dioica), a highly nutritious plant with many reported health benefits such as antioxidant properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and potential antibacterial actions
3) Hostas (Hosta spp.), which are popular garden plants known for their attractive foliage patterns and ability to attract beneficial pollinators like butterflies
The best time to pick horsetail is in early summer, before it flowers and turns yellow later on. You can easily recognize the plant due to its unique appearance - a tall hollow stem with narrow green leaves at the top, resembling a tail (hence the name).
To harvest horsetail, look for plants that are about two years old as they will be thicker and more fibrous than younger ones. Use your hands or shears to cut the plant off just below ground level and then shake out any dirt before using it in tea form (fresh herbs) or drying them for future use.
When harvesting, make sure you don't damage surrounding plants as they may not grow back if over-harvested. Only take what is necessary from each plant to allow the others time to regenerate.
Horsetail is a fascinating and unique plant that holds many valuable properties for human health. This plant contains several essential minerals which can greatly benefit our bodies when consumed through teas or other forms of ingestion. Some key nutrients found in horsetail include silica, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese, copper, and zinc.
1. Silica: This mineral is one of the main active compounds present in horsetail. It plays a vital role in strengthening bones and teeth by increasing their density and flexibility. Additionally, it's been found to be helpful for healing brittle nails or hair loss caused by weakened nail beds due to anemia or poor diet.
2. Potassium: This mineral helps regulate blood pressure levels and is crucial for muscle function and heart rate control. It also aids in the prevention of kidney stones, as it promotes urinary tract health.
Fresh Horsetails can be stored in several ways, depending on your needs.
If you plan to use them as a topical treatment or poultice for external conditions like cuts and scrapes, simply store the fresh herb in a cool place such as a refrigerator where it will remain viable for up to two weeks (the leaves should still feel moist).
If you want to dry your horsetail and turn it into tea bags, cut the stems at about 1-2 inches above ground level. Next, spread them out on a tray covered with newspaper or paper towels in order to allow air circulation around them while they're drying. The process should take from one week up to two weeks depending upon weather conditions (the leaves should turn brown).
If you wish to make tinctures and extracts, dry the plant completely before storing it at room temperature where it will last for about six months or more.
Potential health benefits associated with the Equisetum species of plants commonly known as Horsetails include:
1) Antioxidant properties that may help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress on cells
2) Diuretic effects which can increase urine output, potentially aiding in flushing out toxins from the body
3) Potential anti-inflammatory actions due to its silica content
4) Possible antibacterial properties that might aid in fighting infection or inflammation.
It is crucial to note that consuming horsetail should be done with caution and under medical supervision as some side effects have been reported, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney damage, skin rashes, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms (IBS), and even death from liver failure when used in excessive quantities for extended periods..30
