Equisetum hyemale
| Equisetum hyemale | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Equisetum hyemale (common name: dutch rush)
Propagation: 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[1].
Division. The plants usually spread very freely when well sited and should not really need any assistance.
Cultivation: Prefers a moist soil with a pH between 6.5 and 7.5[1].
Plants are hardy to about -30°c[1].
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[2].
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[1].
Range: Temperate regions of Europe, including Britain, N. America and Asia.
Habitat: Shady streambanks etc, to 500 metres[3].
Edibility: Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) - cooked[4]. An asparagus substitute. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Roots - dried and then cooked[5]. A source of starch[4]. 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[6].
Medicinal: Horsetails have an unusual chemistry compared to most other plants[2]. They are rich in silica, contain several alkaloids (including nicotine) and various minerals[2][7].
The plant is anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, hypotensive and styptic[8][176. 218][7]. It also has an appetite-stimulating effect[7]]. 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[9]. The plant is a useful diuretic when taken internally and is used in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems[9]. A decoction applied externally will stop the bleeding of wounds and promote healing[9].
The plant contains polyphenolic flavonoids with bactericidal activity[10].
Usage: The stems are very rich in silica[9]. They are used for scouring and polishing metal[11][9][12][13][14] and as a fine sandpaper[15][14]. The stems are first bleached by repeated wetting and drying in the sun[16]. They can also be used as a polish for wooden floors and furniture[12][17].
The infused stem is an effective fungicide against mildew, mint rust and blackspot on roses[18]. It also makes a good liquid feed[15]. Used as a hair rinse it can eliminate fleas, lice and mites[19][5].
A light pink dye is obtained from the stem[14].
The hollow stems have been used as whistles[5]. Another report says that the stem joints are pulled apart and used by children to produce a whistling sound[5].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Mid Summer-Late Summer
Known Hazards: Large quantities of the plant can be toxic. This is because it contains the enzyme thiaminase[20], a substance that can rob the body of the vitamin B complex[21]. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is r
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Harrington, Harold. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press, 1967.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea. World Health Organisation, 1998.
- ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Turner, Nancy. Plants in British Columbian Indian Technology. British Columbia Provincial Museum, 1979.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Hatfield, Audrey. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd, 1974.
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ Hylton, Josie and William Holtom. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press, 1979.
- ↑ Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ Schofield, Janice. Discovering Wild Plants.
- ↑ Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.