Horsetail tea helps to reduce fluid retention and eliminate toxins

Very old, the horsetail is a plant with small leaves that look more like needles. It does not have flowers and can serve both as decoration and for human consumption.

Eliane Petean Arena, cellular nutritionist, specialist in Clinical Nutrition, Public Health, Hospital Administration and Functional Foods and Nutrigenomics, and director of the Centro Nutrição Celular Clinic, highlights that the plant is rich in silicon, vitamin C and flavonoids, attributes that have transformed it into a known herbal medicine.

In addition to the main nutrients, according to Eliane, the plant also contains small amounts of oils and inorganic compounds, such as magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium and iron. “Used in the form of tea or consumed in capsules with the dry extract, horsetail has many properties for the body”, he highlights.

Alessandra Luglio, nutritionist at Espaço P4B Saúde Personalized, points out that horsetail is usually consumed in the form of teas and is known to have diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

In the aesthetic area, horsetail oil has stood out, being used in the form of creams for the treatment of stretch marks and cellulite.

The benefits of horsetail tea

Alessandra highlights that, as it has diuretic properties, horsetail tea helps to reduce body fluid retention and helps to eliminate some toxins.

Eliane points out that, being a powerful diuretic, tea acts in the processes of childhood urinary incontinence, in addition to helping to reduce weight, in the diet.

The cellular nutritionist explains that the functional properties of horsetail are still highly recommended in cases of bladder and kidney diseases. “Phytotherapy is also a potent anti-inflammatory, revitalizing and astringent, in addition to assisting blood circulation, bringing benefits to metabolism and helping to eliminate various toxins present in the body”.

“The diuretic effects of tea favor the burning of localized fats, adding important antioxidant benefits to the body”, adds Eliane.

“Nosebleeds, heavy blood loss during menstruation, inflammation of the prostate and several cases of swelling, can also be treated with the help of horsetail tea”, highlights Eliane.

Another great quality of this plant is the presence of fibers that collaborate with the health of the arteries, according to the cellular nutritionist.

In addition to the benefits that tea brings to health, it also has beneficial effects on aesthetics. “Acting as a potent moisturizer, the plant tea stimulates the healing process of the skin and the body as a whole. It is also beneficial to treat chilblains and canker sores, positively interfering with the appearance of nails”, says Eliane.

“With its natural astringent characteristics, horsetail tea reduces oiliness, also reducing the appearance of pimples and blackheads”, adds the cellular nutritionist.

In matters that go beyond the physical, tea helps in the treatment of anxiety and stress, according to Eliane.

In this way, the main benefits of horsetail tea can be briefly highlighted:

• Decreases fluid retention;
• Help eliminate toxins from the body;
• Acts in the processes of infantile urinary incontinence;
• Helps in weight loss and localized fat burning;
• Helps treat bladder and kidney diseases;
• Helps blood circulation;
• Helps treat nosebleeds and heavy menstrual blood loss.
• Helps treat prostate inflammation;
• Collaborates with the health of arteries;
• It is a potent moisturizer for the skin;
• Stimulates the skin healing process;
• Helps treat chilblains
• Helps treat thrush;
• Improves the appearance of nails;
• Helps reduce skin oiliness, preventing acne;
• Helps in the treatment of anxiety and stress.

It is worth noting that such beneficial effects are not achieved overnight. The consumption of horsetail must be adequate, so that you can enjoy its advantages. For this, it is essential to have medical or nutritional guidance.

Horsetail tea: does it really lose weight?

“Everyone knows that metabolism imbalances make it difficult to lose weight. Teas are nutritionally recognized as important auxiliaries of organic metabolism, making this process more active and more efficient”, explains Eliane.

“In the context of weight loss, horsetail tea can be a good ally, since its diuretic action helps to accelerate metabolism, eliminate toxins from the body and also help fight swelling, which makes weight loss more evident and perceptible”, highlights the cellular nutritionist.

It is worth remembering, however, that there is no tea that works miracles! Alessandra points out that no single food or active has the ability to promote weight loss. “Weight loss is the result of a set of actions such as an individualized and balanced diet and frequent physical activity”, she recalls.

Preparation and consumption of horsetail tea

Eliane points out that horsetail tea must be prepared by infusion so that it does not lose its properties.

Alessandra advises making the tea as follows:

1. Boil 300ml of water;
2. Turn off the heat and add 2 tablespoons of horsetail;
3. Cover and leave to infuse for 5 minutes;
4. Strain and consume hot or cold.

Eliane remembers that the tea should be consumed within 24 hours after its preparation.

For the cellular nutritionist, the healthy consumption of horsetail tea is a maximum of 3 cups a day, for a period of 10 days.

“If the use is in the form of capsules, the recommended dose is usually 3 capsules a day, for the same period of time (250 mg, daily). But it’s always good to remember that the best way to consume is to seek help from a health professional who will respect the needs and characteristics of those who will use the herbal medicine”, says Eliane.

Contraindications and side effects

Alessandra highlights that tea is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women.

Eliane points out that it is not yet indicated for people who have low blood pressure. “All tea is a type of medicine and therefore should not be used indiscriminately. The most appropriate thing is to talk to a professional who knows the chemical and therapeutic properties of tea, listening to his recommendations regarding the amount and way to use it”, she says.

Regarding side effects, nutritionist Alessandra explains that, if consumed in excess, it can cause a drop in blood pressure.

Any tea when used without much concern about the dosage and its indication, Eliane points out, can affect the body and cause some harm instead of curing it. “Like any herb, some of its compounds can be responsible for the side effects, which can be: digestive problems and abdominal pain, loss of appetite, headaches, some muscle weakness, arrhythmias, which are some effects that are believed to are produced by the fact that the tea has alkaloids in its composition”, says the cellular nutritionist.

7 teas and beauty products with horsetail

Check out examples of horsetail teas for sale on the internet, as well as aesthetic products that contain the plant as an ally of beauty.

Horsetail teas can be easily found at health food stores and city markets.

Aesthetic use of horsetail oil

Horsetail oil has recently gained more prominence, being used in the form of creams for the treatment and prevention of stretch marks and cellulite.

According to Eliane, a homemade oil recipe is as follows:

1. Take a bunch of horsetail and put it in a small glass along with almond oil;
2. Leave the mixture to soak, in the covered container, for 30 days;
3. Afterwards, this oil can be used on the skin, after bathing, to prevent stretch marks.

Now you know the main benefits of horsetail for your health and beauty. Remember, however, that the best way to enjoy the benefits of tea is to consume it with professional guidance.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.