Horsetail Grass, also known as shavegrass, is one of the oldest botanical healing herbs in known history. It is believed that it is a close relative of many of the trees that grew on planet earth some 270 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. It is believed that horsetail is also the source of the modern cola seams.

The horsetail plant is brittle and grows in jointed stems that are rich in healing silica. Horsetail has been used since Ancient times. It was used by the Greeks to help heal wounds. These days, horsetail is most commonly viewed as an invasive weed, although it still remains a favorite for herbalists and practitioners of natural medicine.

Herbalists described horsetail as dry, slightly bitter and cold. The plants are made up of include silica, saponins, alkaloids (including nicotine), bitter principle, phytosterols, tannins, and several minerals, including potassium, manganese, and magnesium.

The actions of horsetail have been described as astringent, anti-inflammatory, a tissue healer, and it has also been known to stop bleeding.

Many parts of the horsetail plant can be used to make several herbal remedies. The most commonly used parts are the aerial parts. These aerial parts are astringent and the stems have been known to stop bleeding, wounds, nosebleeds, and heavy menstruation. The aerial parts of horsetail are also used to control bed-wetting, and can be used to treat various skin problems.

Horsetail is also known as a strong diuretic, and as a possible treatment for urinary track and prostate disorders. It is known as a tonic to tone the urinary mucous membranes.

Many herbalists also prepare horsetail to treat damage incurred from lung disease.

In traditional Chinese herbal medicine, the dried stems of horsetail are used to treat fevers. It is also prepared to treat eye inflammations and eye infections, including conjunctivitis and corneal disorders.