Equisetum hyemale
Dutch Rush
a perennial member of the Equisetum genus in the family Equisetaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Equisetaceae
- Genus
- Equisetum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 1 m
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Large quantities of the plant can be toxic. This is because it contains the enzyme thiaminase[4], a substance that can rob the body of the vitamin B complex[17]. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[4]. The plant also contains equisetic acid - see the notes on medicinal uses for more information[8].
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) - cooked[5]. An asparagus substitute. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Roots - dried and then cooked[11]. A source of starch[5]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. A further report says that the peeled stems, base of the plant, root and tubers were eaten raw by the N. American Indians, the report went on to say that this may be inadvisable[19].
- Plant part
- Root
- Plant part
- Stem
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Horsetails have an unusual chemistry compared to most other plants[10]. They are rich in silica, contain several alkaloids (including nicotine) and various minerals[10][12]. The plant is anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive and styptic[147, 176. 218, 279]. It also has an appetite-stimulating effect[12]]. The barren stems are used, they are most active when fresh but can also be dried and sometimes the ashes of the pant are used[13]. The plant is a useful diuretic when taken internally and is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems[13]. A decoction applied externally will stop the bleeding of wounds and promote healing[13]. The plant contains polyphenolic flavonoids with bactericidal activity[9].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Antiinflammatory
- Product or use
- Diaphoretic
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Styptic
- Product or use
- Antispasmodic
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Hypotensive
- Product or use
- Appetizer
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The stems are very rich in silica[13]. They are used for scouring and polishing metal[1][13][14][16][20] and as a fine sandpaper[15][20]. The stems are first bleached by repeated wetting and drying in the sun[18]. They can also be used as a polish for wooden floors and furniture[14][6]. The infused stem is an effective fungicide against mildew, mint rust and blackspot on roses[2]. It also makes a good liquid feed[15]. Used as a hair rinse it can eliminate fleas, lice and mites[8][11]. A light pink dye is obtained from the stem[20]. The hollow stems have been used as whistles[11]. Another report says that the stem joints are pulled apart and used by children to produce a whistling sound[11].
- Product or use
- Dye
- Product or use
- Fungicide
- Product or use
- Liquid feed
- Product or use
- Musical
- Product or use
- Paper
- Product or use
- Parasiticide
- Product or use
- Polish
- Product or use
- Sandpaper
- Product or use
- Scourer
Environment
- Range
- Temperate regions of Europe, including Britain, N. America and Asia.
- Habitat
- Shady streambanks etc, to 500 metres[3].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 5+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Spores - best collected as soon as they are ripe in the spring and surface-sown immediately on a sterile compost. Keep moist and pot up as soon as the plants are large enough to handle. Very difficult[7]. Division. The plants usually spread very freely when well sited and should not really need any assistance.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers a moist soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5[7]. Plants are hardy to about -30°c[7]. The stems of this species were once exported to Britain in quantity from Holland so that they could be used as an abrasive for cleaning pots and pans[10]. Plants have a deep and penetrating root system and can be invasive. If grown in the garden they are best kept in bounds by planting them in a large container which can be sunk into the ground[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998-00-00 ISBN 92 9061 120 0
Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394
Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00
Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9
Turner. N. J. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-7718-8117-7