Chapter 6.36
6.36 - Equisetum arvense
Sarah Still, University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Still,S. (2022) Greens, Fleshy Stems and Gourds. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
Common horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a plant that has been around for millions of years (Saslis-Lagoudakis et al., 2015). Common horsetail was used by indigenous people many years ago for mainly medical purposes (Saslis-Lagoudakis et al., 2015). It is still to this day used by some individuals who seek more natural remedies for illness or health issues (Saslis-Lagoudakiset al., 2015). This paper should help to reveal the importance of Equisetum arvense by explaining its many characteristics and the history behind this plant.
Description Of Plant And Species
The Equisetum genus is a large group considering the number of different types of this plant that can be found throughout many different areas (Ignacio et al., 2018). The plant within the focus of this study is a fairly common weed, hence the name “common horsetail” (Ignacio et al., 2018). Common horsetail has 2 different stems that appear depending on what part of their life they are in, and what season it is (North Carolina Cooperative Extension (N.C). n.d). The first stem is called a reproductive stem which has a brown skin-like leaf appearance looking like a pinecone with a long brown stem (N.C Cooperative Extension. n.d). This reproductive stem will fade into a sterile stem once the spores on the reproductive plant have been used to reproduce (N.C Cooperative Extension. n.d). The sterile stem has green pine looking needles which are fairly thin (N.C Cooperative Extension. n.d). The common horsetail grows at a moderately fast rate and is a perennial plant (N.C Cooperative Extension. n.d). Because common horsetail is a perennial, there are more chances to put this plant to use for humans in ways of medicine, nutrition and more (N.C Cooperative Extension. n.d). Overall, it is shown that the Equisetum genus has many different species within it, and a somewhat complex life cycle as shown in figure one below (N.C Cooperative Extension. n.d).
History Of The Plant
Equisetum arvense is a plant that has been around for over a million years (Saslis-Lagoudakis et al., 2015). Equisetum, which is the genus that common horsetail is a part of, was previously separated into 2 subgenera depending on the characteristics that the plants possessed (Christenhusz, 2021). This plant has been the most diverse throughout the northern parts of the world meaning the northern Hemisphere, but it has different variations that were also found within the southern regions as well, there was even a type of this plant found in tropical Africa (Christenhusz, 2021). Equisetum arvense has been researched for many years and has been a big factor in helping to understand the evolution that occurs in vascular plants (Christenhusz, 2021). This plant has been used to help learn about vascular plants because it was said to be oldest genus of the vascular plant species (Christenhusz, 2021). In the past common horsetail was used by mainly indigenous people and early travelers from different areas such as western Washington, Oregon, and even Canadian provinces like B.C as well (Gunther. 1973). It is evident that Equisetum arvense has been a big part of history and was involved in many different communities' lives throughout the past years.
Geographic Origins And Domestication
The Equisetum arvense plant has been around for a very long period, approximately about three hundred million years (CABI, 2021). Fossilized plant matter from common horsetail plants has been found from the Carboniferous time period which was a time when there was plenty of vegetation growing that caused large pockets of coal to appear (CABI, 2021). The fossilized plants that were found led to the belief that during the Carboniferous time horsetail was first discovered within the highly vegetative areas that were more forestry and damp opposed to dry (CABI, 2021). Common horsetail’s geographic origins vary from many different locations because this plant can survive in many different environments (Cody, 2006). This species is spread throughout many different areas like Canada, America, Europe, Asia and more, although common horsetail is regularly found within central Canada mainly in Ontario and surrounding areas (Cody, 2006).
Association With Indegenous Peoples
Common horsetail has been used for millions of years within the indigenous community for a few different uses related to health and nutrition (Turner, 1995). Aboriginal peoples have been using Equisetum arvense for nutrition by eating the stems of the plant for many generations (Turner, 1995). The Coastal Salish groups are an example of people who ate these stems as a form of nutrition by boiling the stems and eating them cooked or even just eating the stems raw (Turner, 1995). The Saanich people believed if they were to eat the stems it would be good for their blood, so this did this to improve their health as a medicinal related use, while also consuming it for nutrition (Turner, 1995). These Coast Salish peoples are located in the B.C, Washington and Oregon area (Gunther. 1973). This group is a very large community that contains many different people so there are multiple different cultures and practices within this group (Gunther. 1973).
Many other communities like the Ditidaht, Nuu- chaa- nulth, and more, also used common horsetail for these methods of survival (Turner, 1995). It is evident that, Indigenous communities have had a long history with this plant and had worked together in different ways to find many useful purposes for common horsetail that are still possibly used today (Turner, 1995).
Possible Consumption
This plant can be eaten in a few different ways and is, depending on who is consuming it. Some groups eat the Equisetum arvense stems fresh or boiled (Turner, 1995). This is a form of nutrition that can help to aid an individual's hunger if consumed as is, or in a meal as a vegetable source (Turner, 1995). Whereas others will chew the outer layer of the plant then spit it out, and some others drink the water out of the stem as well (Turner, 1995). This is done to help absorb any nutrients or minerals that the plant may have contained and are easily digested from chewing or drinking the horsetails materials (Turner, 1995). This plant can also be consumed for the purpose of health as well (Sinai. n.d). Some types of medicinal horsetail can be digested dried, and as an ointment among other uses (Sinai. n.d). There are many different possible ways for common horsetail to be consumed that help to benefit humans by acting as a form of nutrition or medicine (Turner, 1995).
Benifits
This plant is a diuretic, so it increases the urination process allowing humans to filter out any harmful body fluids (Sinai, n.d). This is effective for individuals who experience kidney stones because it allows for a faster flushing of the system (Sinai, n.d). Horsetail is also known for being related to treating a bone thinning disease called osteoporosis (Sinai, n.d). Equisetum arvense contains silicon which is an element that helps to increase the strength of bones, decreasing the risk of developing osteoporosis (Saudelli et al., 2018).
Limitations
This plant can be very harmful to livestock if congested in large amounts (Bebbington &Wright, N.d ). If livestock such as cattle, sheep or horses consume large amounts of this plant, it can cause the weakening of the animal's body or in a very serious case, consumption can cause a coma or even death (Turner, 1995). Another limitation that comes with this plant is that there is not a lot of knowledge on the plant so harvesting and producing these plants in mass amounts is not common (Osipowicz, G, 2019).
Conclusion
To conclude common horsetail is a plant that is found around many parts of the world and can be used for many different purposes depending on what the consumer needs it for. Although this plant does have some limitations there are also plenty of benefits regarding it as well. With the right mindset regarding this plant an individual could truly help to benefit a large portion of the population.
References
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2.N. (2015). Identification of common horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.; Equisetaceae) using Thin Layer Chromatography versus DNA barcoding. Sci Rep 5, 11942 https://doi.org/10.1038/srep11942
3.Elgorriaga, A., Escapa, I. H., Rothwell, G. W., Tomescu, A. M. F., & Cúneo, R. (2018).
4.Horsetail. Origin of Equisetum: Evolution of horsetails (Equisetales) within the major euphyllophyte clade Sphenopsida. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/horsetail
5.North Carolina (N.C) Cooperative Extension. (n.d.). Equisetum arvense. Equisetum arvense (Bottlebrush, Common Horsetail, Field Horsetail, Foxtail, Horse pipes, Horsetail, Jointed rush, Mare's tail, Pinetop, Scouring rush, Snake grass, Western horsetail) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/equisetum-arvense/
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7.Christenhusz, M. J. M., Chase, M. W., Fay, M. F., Hidalgo, O., Leitch, I. J., Pellicer, J., & Viruel, J. (2021). Biogeography and genome size evolution of the oldest extant vascular plant genus, Equisetum (Equisetaceae). Annals of Botany. Oxford Academy. 681-95. https://academic.oup.com/aob/article/127/5/681/6142510?login=true
8.Gunther, E. (1973). Ethnology of Western Washington: The knowledge and use of indigenous plants by Native Americans. University of Washington Press. Ethnobotany of Western Washington: The Knowledge and Use of Indigenous ... - Erna Gunther - Google Books
9.Turner, J.N. (1995). Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples. UBC Press. Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples -Food Plants of Coastal First Peoples - Nancy J. Turner - Google Books
10.Sinai, M. (n.d.). Horsetail. Mount Sinai Health System.https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/horsetail
11.Saudelli. G, Tinti. L, & Suffritti. G, (2018). A Review on the Treatment of Osteoporosis. Gen Med. 6:2. https://www.biotecdermo.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/1.pdf
12.Bebbington, A., & Wright, B. (2007). Toxicity of Equisetum to Horses. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. http://omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/horses/facts/07-037.htm
13.CABI. (2021) Equisetum Arvense (Field Horsetail). CABI Compendium. Equisetum arvense (field horsetail) | CABI Compendium (cabidigitallibrary.org)
14.Cody, W.J. (2006). Horsetail. The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/horsetail