Equisetum palustre It is a perennial shrub species with an erect and highly branched stem belonging to the Equisetaceae family. Known as the swamp horsetail, short beard, horsetail, knucklehead or pinillo, it is a species of Eurosiberian distribution.
In the wild, it is found in prairies with humid soils, at the margin of streams or flooded meadows, in marshy lands and ponds. It is characterized by the very sharp apex pods that arise from its stems and, unlike E. arvense, does not produce fertile stems.
Another way to differentiate the species of the genus Equisetum it is found in the size of the second basal internode of each branch. On E. palustre this basal internode is shorter than the microfilm sheath or modified leaves.
On the other hand, the absence in E. palustre of a medullary canal at the level of the rhizome is a distinctive character. In fact, this represents the best particularity of differentiation with the other species of the genus Equisetum.
The Equisetum trowel It is a highly toxic plant for certain herbivorous animals, but fortunately it is harmless to humans. Contains enzymes that degrade vitamin B1 causing motor imbalance in horses, or the alkaloid piperidine that causes lameness in cattle.
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Externally, it has a dark brown or black color because the epidermis is completely suberified. This suberification reaches the outermost layer of the cortical parenchyma, which is made up of 4-6 layers of cells with a high content of amyloplasts..
Equisetum palustre It is a herbaceous plant with stems 50-60 cm long, bright green and highly branched. They have 6-10 obvious ribs along the stem, prominent and curved.
The numerous branches are arranged in helical whorls, but may be missing in some plants. The first internodes of the branches are shorter than the pods of the adjacent stems.
The fertile structure is a strobilus, or terminal cone, 3 cm long with an obtuse apex. This structure is made up of multiple sporophils or sporangiophores that form on the inside of the sporangia..
From these sporangia, tiny 35-45 µm spores of dark tones are produced with hygroscopic elaters. Its germination generates lobulated and branched epigeal gametophytes that will give rise to gametes. These will later form a new sporophyte.
The crown-shaped sheaths or microfilms are longer than wide with a dark apex and bordered by a membranous margin. Each sheath is fitted around the stem formed by 4-12 persistent teeth, furrowed in the center and with a whitish margin.
The teeth of the overlapping sheaths around the branches are deltoid in shape, like a hollow semi-cone with membranous margins. Branches usually appear in regular whorls, sometimes sparse and occasionally absent.
The lateral branches of Equisetum palustre they have a structural organization similar to that of the stems. However, they present some distinctive characters that differentiate them from the other species.
The cholenchymal channels of the primary branches are very reduced and the secondary branches lack the collenchyma tissue. In addition, the branches do not present protoxylem but a highly developing metaxylem, as well as evident cortical channels.
The chemical composition of the species that make up the genus Equisetum are similar, differing only in content and quality. Equisetum palustre contains various trace elements, among which are salts with a high content of potassium, calcium or magnesium, organic silicon and carbons.
Also secondary metabolites or flavonoids metabolized by the plant, with different healing properties for humans. Indeed, these flavonoids, such as isoquercitrin and echicertin, have antimicrobial, anticancer, antithrombotic effects or regulate cholesterol levels, among others..
Other trace elements available are saponosides with fungicidal capacity, such as equisitonin, which prevent the sporulation and proliferation of certain fungal diseases. Tannins should also be mentioned, elements with antioxidant or vasodilator potential used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases..
Finally, another of the chemical compounds that this plant contains are ascorbic, caffeic, ferulic, gallic, malic, pectic, silicic and tannic acids. Other substances include alkaloids, such as nicotine, palustrinin, and palustrin, and organic compounds such as aconitinic acid, dimethylsulfone, and thiaminase (vitamin B1).
In the case of E. palustre the content of the alkaloid palustrin is higher, this being a highly toxic active principle. Young plants are the most toxic and are not destroyed by high temperatures or drying..
- Kingdom: Plantae.
- Class: Polypodiopsida.
- Order: Equisetales.
- Family: Equisetaceae.
- Gender: Equisetum.
- Species: Equisetum palustre L.
- Equisetum majus Garsault.
- Equisetum braunii J.Milde.
- Equisetum: the generic name derives from the Latin equus = horse and mushroom = bristle or mane, since the aerial stems resemble the tail of the horse.
- trowel: the specific epithet comes from Latin paluster (palustris) = swampy or boggy, which inhabits these places.
This species is native to the icy regions of North America and Eurasia. In addition, it is distributed throughout Europe and the circumpolar region up to altitude mountain levels (0-1,900 meters above sea level)..
It generally grows in humid and flooded places, along with swampy environments, on the banks of streams and streams. During spring they maintain a uniform green hue until late autumn. Sporulation occurs between June and September.
It prefers sandy soils and humid banks, on the margins of rivers and water courses within the Mesomediterranean bioclimatic floor. It is characterized by deciduous forests in humid environments and trough areas, in association with Equisetum ramosissimum, Saccharum ravennae or Populus alba.
The chemical composition of the various species that make up the genus Equisetum They provide it with particular healing and therapeutic properties. The species Equisetum palustre it is rich in mineral elements, flavonoids, saponosides and organic acids, but it contains some alkaloids that can be toxic.
Ripe, not tender stems should be selected, which are harvested during the summer and left to dry in a cool, dry place. These stems are stored to later prepare infusions, juices, decoctions, syrups, lotions, powder extracts, essences or macerates..
Among the main benefits of this plant, the remineralization of the bone system, cell regeneration and the strengthening of nails and scalp stand out. Likewise, it is effective to reduce inflammation and heal wounds, regulate internal bleeding and contribute to weight reduction due to its diuretic effect..
The presence of saponins and flavonoids prevents the appearance of fungal or bacterial diseases on the skin. This antimicrobial capacity is highly effective for the treatment of external wounds and their disinfection..
The amount of tannins present in Equisetum provides an astringent effect to relieve bleeding problems. Indeed, the consumption of horsetail helps soothe problems of hemorrhoids, mouth and internal ulcers, as well as reducing inflammation of the throat..
Substances high in tannins have been experimentally proven to lower cholesterol levels. In this case, frequent consumption of horsetail reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases good cholesterol (HDL) levels..
The mineral salts and flavonoids present in this plant favor urination and increase urinary flow. This effect contributes to disorders related to fluid retention, urinary system infection, kidney stones or urinary tract.
The silicon present in horsetail contributes to the regulation of bone density in our body. The usual decoctions are recommended for the natural treatment of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis..
The anti-inflammatory potential allows to reduce ocular tension, favoring the treatment of eye diseases such as glaucoma. The application of compresses on the eyes with an extract made from fresh and dried stems of the plant is recommended..
Frequent bathing with a horsetail-based tonic can reduce the loss of fine and weakened hair. This is because the high silicon content in the plant is closely associated with hair health, providing shine, body and strength to the hair..
The high content of certain alkaloids, mainly palustrin, make swamp horsetail a toxic plant. For this reason, it is very important to select only the mature stems, discarding the green and very tender parts..
On the other hand, it should not be consumed when you have drunk alcohol or when you have irritated gastric mucosa. In fact, the intake of this and other medicinal herbs is restricted while undergoing medical treatment or taking anti-inflammatory drugs.
The species Equisetum palustre grows and develops effectively in pH neutral soil, acidic to slightly alkaline, being undemanding in fertility. Its root system or rhizome develops vigorously in soils with a sandy-loam texture, generally humid or saturated..
Because it is recommended to sow on the banks of streams or ponds, irrigation seeks to keep the land constantly humid. In fact, planted in pots requires that the containers maintain a water level that favors the waterlogging of the medium..
As for its lighting requirements, it is undemanding, since it can be placed in semi-shade or directly in the sun. With regard to thermal requirements, it is a tolerant species to occasional frosts..
It does not need any type of pruning, only the removal of damaged stems. Regarding the incidence of pests and diseases, the Equisetum palustre It is a rustic species that is not affected by any pest of economic interest.
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