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How to make a natural fungicide using Horsetail Weed
- Naomi Stephens | Permaculture Designer
- Feb 1, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 9, 2024
Horsetail is a common weed found in almost every backyard in the UK. It is often found in an uncut or unmaintained lawn. As with most weeds, it is often overlooked as something that just needs to be thrown away. However, few people know how majestic this weed is and how beneficial it can be to your health.
Horsetail has been on the planet since the dinosaurs' era. Their fossils have been dated to around 350 million years ago. At that time, horsetail grew to be well over 30 meters high. Nowadays, the most common form of horsetail only grows to about less than a meter high.
Horsetail is known by different names, such as bottlebrush in scouring brush, which was typically named because of its use in cleaning dishes and its coarse, gritty features.
Horsetail is typically found near wetlands or moist soil. In fact, you're most likely to find it in the part of your lawn that seems to hold water for long periods of time—perhaps an area that is trodden and stays filled with rain puddles for the longest. That's where I normally find them.
Fungicide
Horsetail is a plant that has many benefits and uses. One of its most notable benefits is its antifungal qualities. This means that it can help to prevent fungus from growing, and it can also repel insects and bugs.
The plant contains silica, known for its ability to kill fungi. In addition, horsetail has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to soothe irritated skin. The plant is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it an excellent choice for herbal remedies.
When used topically, horsetail can help treat conditions such as athlete's foot, nail fungus, and dandruff. It can also be taken internally to boost immune system function. Overall, horsetail is a versatile and effective herb that offers many benefits.
Quality is important when it comes to horsetail. The best horsetail is non-GMO, organic, and has been approved by the USDA.
Biokoma is a reputable brand of non-chemical natural dried herbs. It comes in a resealable moisture prevention pouch, which is essential for preventing the herb from losing its potency.
At the time of writing this cost $14.90 for 1.7oz
Horsetail recipe:
150 gm of chopped horsetail
1 large onion
1 bulb of garlic
1 tbsp of oil
1 litre of water
Instructions:
Chop all the herbs, onions, and garlic.
Boil 1 liter of water and add all the chopped ingredients with the oil.
Cook on low flame for 15 minutes.
Filter, cool, and store in a glass jar.
For use as a fungicide,
One part of the infusion was diluted with 5 parts of water.
Other Benefits of Horsetail
Horsetail is not just a great fungicide, there are other uses that are worth the mention like:
Bio-available Silica
Urinary Tract and kidney help
Wound healing
Hair benefits
1. Bio-available Silica
Horsetail is well sought after because of its bioavailable silica content, which is a substance that is used for elasticity and connective tissue. Silica is used for bodily cell repair, and it also reduces mucus due to its astringent qualities by contracting blood vessels and blood tissues. This is why it is key in the production of bone cells and joints, and if you look at the horsetail closely, you'll see that it resembles bones and joints in the human body. I discovered that it's not uncommon for nature to give us clues about what plants can be used for based on their appearance.
2. Urinary tract and kidney help
Horsetail is an internationally recognized medicinal herb for urinary tract infections because of its astringent and healing qualities. It is also a diuretic that helps the body regulate urine, removing toxins by increasing the flow of urination.
3. Wound Healing
Due to its silica content, which is a natural cell repair agent, horsetail is exemplified for healing wounds quicker and promoting white blood cells to help fight infection. The astringent effects also help prevent swelling and fluid retention.
4. Hair Benefits
The silica content in horsetail makes it a perfect herbal remedy for hair growth and strengthening. Silica promotes the bodily production of collagen, which is what we need to grow hair and nails. Horsetail can be made into a tea; once cooled, it can be applied to the hair after washing. Furthermore, it can be taken as a tea to gain the bioavailable silica content within horsetail.
Sources
https://www.richters.com/show.cgi?page=QandA/Medicinal/20010513-1.html
