Botanical information. Horsetail family (Equisetaceae). Perennial plants with creeping, branched rhizomes: stems consist of nodes and hollow internodes; leaves are reduced, fused at the bases into a ring sitting on a node; the tops of the leaves are tooth-shaped.

Horsetail(Equisetum heleocharis Ehrh., E. limosum L.). The stem is 20-150 cm high, rather thick, with smooth ribs, inside with one central cavity, simple, few branches; branches with finely tuberculated ribs; leaf teeth lanceolate-subulate, brown.

A common plant. It grows in lakes, swamps, ditches, often in large thickets, in water.

Horsetail(E. palustre L.). The stem is 15-50 cm high, mostly branched, with a narrow central cavity and several narrower cavities around the circumference; branches are mostly raised; The leaf teeth are triangular-ovate, brownish at the apex, white-membranous at the edges, broadly lanceolate on the main stem.

A common plant. Grows in damp meadows, along the banks of water bodies.

(E. arvense L.). The stem is 10-50 cm high, branched, with 6-18 ribs, with a narrow central cavity and several tubules around the circumference; the branches are arranged in whorls along the entire stem, the leaf teeth on the branches are green with long points.

A common plant. Grows in fields, on crops.

Horsetail(E. silvaticum L.). The stem is 25-50 cm high, branched, with a large central cavity, with flat ribs dotted with spines on the sides; the branches extend downwards, in turn branched; leaf teeth on the branches are drawn-pointed, on the main stem - soldered 2-5 together, reddish-brown.

A common plant. Grows in forests, forest meadows, among bushes.

Horsetail overwintering(E. hiemale L.). The stem is 50-120 cm high, hard, overwintering, mostly simple, with a large central cavity, with 10-30 ribs dotted with tubercles; leaf teeth are tightly pressed to the stem, black at the base, with falling tips, linear-subulate.

A common plant. It grows in pine forests, along river slopes, ravines, and often in thickets.

Toxic substances and their effects

There are indications of the content of alkaloids in the stems and roots of horsetail (S.S. Norkina, N.L. Pakhareva), the alkaloid palustrin C 17 H 29 N 3 O 2 - in the stems of horsetail.

At present, a new interpretation of the pathogenesis of horsetail poisoning can be given, adopted to explain bracken poisoning (see bracken (Pteris L.)), namely: poisoning caused by the action of horsetails is vitamin B1 deficiency. The reason for this is the great similarity in the clinical picture of poisoning by both plants (disorders in the motor sphere) and the presence in both plants of the enzyme thiaminase, which destroys vitamin B (thiamine, neurin). Thiaminase is found in a number of fern plants (bracken, male fern) and horsetails (field horsetail, marsh horsetail).

Toxicological significance

Information about the toxicological significance of horsetails does not always confirm each other. They indicate, for example, that marsh horsetail, which is regarded as food for these animals, is completely harmless to cattle; deny the toxicity of horsetail for horses; give unequal experimental results, etc. The presence of contradictory data is explained by changes in the chemical composition of horsetails under the influence of the vital activity of fungi settling on them; changes in the degree of toxicity depending on soil conditions, climate, etc.; increased absorption of horsetail poison with concomitant feeding with sedges, which wound the mucous membrane of the digestive tract.

The marsh horsetail and marsh horsetail are of practical importance as dangerous plants, and less so are the field horsetail and the wintering horsetail. All of these types of horsetails are dangerous for horses. Plants of the first two species, mainly horsetail, are the cause of the so-called “connecting rod” of horses, observed in areas with low, swampy water meadows (along the Volga and Oka rivers, in Belarus, Leningrad region, in the north along the Pechora River, etc.). “Shatun” is especially often observed in winter, after a damp, rainy summer or, conversely, after a very dry summer, when areas that were under water in previous years become accessible for mowing. The appearance of the “connecting rod” usually coincides with the end of the first and beginning of the second half of winter (December - March) and is observed when feeding hay contaminated with horsetail. Poisoning can sometimes be widespread and widespread. In 1934, on one of the collective farms of the former. Of the 33 horses in the central black earth region, 5 died; in 1940, 7 horses died on one farm in Mordovia; in 1951, in two brigades of one farm in the Novosibirsk region, 39 horses died out of 104; in other brigades with better feeding conditions, 11 horses died out of 127; in 1954, in January and February, 14 horses fell ill on three farms in the Kaluga region, 6 died (Golubev). The contamination of hay with horsetail (marsh) in this farm reached 18-24%. Pasture poisoning of horses is known when they eat horsetails from under the snow.

The reason for poisoning horses with horsetail may be feeding straw with a high content of this plant or eating it in the bedding by hungry horses. Mass poisoning of horses by horsetail was observed (40 people fell ill, 5 died; P.F. Chukh).

Cattle poisoning is associated mainly with horsetail (S.N. Yemets). Likewise, poisoning of sheep (rarely) may depend on the same type of horsetail. They also point out the case of horsetail poisoning of pigs when feeding them contaminated chaff (P.F. Chukh).

Clinical picture

Even if the hay is heavily clogged, horsetails do not have their effect immediately, but after some time. This period is shorter for marsh horsetail than for marsh horsetail. During experimental feeding of horses with hay contaminated with horsetails (by 5-10-15%), the main symptom of poisoning - weakness of the hindquarters - became noticeable when eating swamp horsetail after 41, 42, 44 days, and when eating swamp horsetail - after 84, 88, respectively. , 87 days (I. A. Gusynin). Natural contamination of hay with horsetails can reach a very high percentage (17-30-50).

The first visible clinical signs of equine poisoning are dilated pupils and changes in behavior. Animals that were calm before illness become extremely excitable and angry; they bite and hit other horses and the people caring for them. When approaching them, they get excited, make sharp biting movements towards the approaching one, and turn their backs towards him. When examined, sick horses are extremely restless. At the same time, signs of paresis and paralysis of the rear begin to develop. First, weakness appears, an incorrect, uncertain gait, bending of the hind legs when turning (especially fast), difficulty in rising on the hind legs. Having risen on its front legs, the horse is unable to raise its hindquarters, and at the same time assumes the pose of a sitting dog. When moving, the back of the body tilts first one way or the other. The horse does not lift his legs enough, drags them and touches low obstacles with his hooks. On the contrary, when observing a horse at rest (in a stable), it is often difficult to notice these changes. Finally, complete paralysis of the hindquarters sets in, the horse lies down; seizures are observed.

The activity of the stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys is disrupted. Stomatitis is observed (up to and including ulcerative stomatitis). Initially, signs of acute gastroenteritis are noticeable, later turning into a severe chronic form. Feces are released in small, hard lumps covered with mucus; the color of urine changes, becoming darker; Protein and pigments can be found in it (I. A. Gusynin). In some cases, there is a disturbance in cardiac activity, a change in rhythm and a decrease in the number of heartbeats. There is usually no fever throughout the illness. Appetite remains. The mucous membrane of the eye is reddened, swollen, and often jaundiced. Sometimes you can see clouding of the cornea in the form of white spots.

Sick animals can recover in cases where complete paralysis has not yet developed. All clinical signs of poisoning disappear after a very long period (up to a month or more) after stopping the supply of hay contaminated with horsetail. During spring work, horses that have recovered from horsetail poisoning turn out to be weak, despite good feeding.

In cattle, the harmful effects of horsetails manifest themselves in the onset of lethargy, cessation of chewing and rumination, the appearance of severe diarrhea, rapid weight loss, changes in the quality of milk (which becomes watery, bluish), and a strong decrease in milk yield. Death can occur from exhaustion if feed contaminated with horsetails is not replaced. Abortions are possible. There is a known case of poisoning of 17 calves aged 8-12 months as a result of feeding hay containing horsetails. The diseases progressed with signs of general weakness, unsteadiness of the posterior part of the body, and subsequently paresis; on the 10th and 12th days, two calves died (G. A. Ugryumov, 1959). In sheep, along with simultaneous emaciation, a cessation of wool growth is noted. Abortions are possible.

Pathological changes(in horses) are presented in the following form: subcutaneous tissue is yellowish colored; the vessels are filled; the heart muscle is flabby, gray in color; there are hemorrhages on the epicardium and endocardium; the liver parenchyma is changed, clay-colored in section; the kidney capsule is difficult to remove; the border of the cortical and medulla layers is smoothed, the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines is catarrhally inflamed, with hemorrhages. In the thickness of the walls of the stomach, colon, and subcutaneous tissue there are lemon-yellow, gelatinous infiltrates, and in the body cavities there are exudates; the brain and spinal cord, the membranes of the brain are usually very hyperemic; a certain amount of serous effusion is found in the cavities of the brain.

Diagnosis

The peculiar conditions for the occurrence and course of horsetail poisoning, along with the clinical picture and the results of botanical examination of the food, make it possible to make a diagnosis. It is very easy to detect the presence of horsetail in hay.

In practice, there have been cases where horsetail poisoning was diagnosed as equine infectious encephalomyelitis. The latter is excluded on the basis of clinical data (absence of fever, preservation of appetite, absence of manic states, duration of course of horsetail poisoning).

Therapy

Eliminating horsetail-contaminated hay from the diet is a sufficient measure even in cases of advanced diseases. For medications, sodium bicarbonate is recommended orally and in the form of enemas, intravenous injections of a 10% solution of sodium bicarbonate. Giving drugs that excite the nervous system (strychnine) may be important. In horses, good treatment results can be obtained by administering dry yeast or thiamine (parenterally) at a dose of 250 mg. The risk of poisoning is reduced by shaking hay contaminated with horsetails (in this case, the horsetail falls out and is removed) and by daily removing horsetail residues from the feeders. They indicate that hot ensiling significantly reduces the toxicity of horsetails and that even a 50% admixture of them in silage does not cause harm when feeding animals (I.V. Larin).



HORSEtail

Horsetails widespread; about 15 species of horsetails grow on the territory of the former USSR, very similar in morphology and chemical composition.

The most common: horsetail - Equisetum sylvaticum L., horsetail - Equisetum pratense L., - Equisetum arvense L., horsetail - Equisetum fluviatile L., horsetail - Equisetum palustre L., wintering horsetail - Equisetum hyemale L.

ATTENTION! All plants of the horsetail genus are poisonous!

Chemical composition and mechanism of toxic action

There are indications of the presence of toxic alkaloids (palustrin - marsh horsetail, marsh horsetail). Thiaminase-like compounds that enzymatically break down vitamin B1 (thiamine) also cause toxic effects. There are also saponins (equisetonin), flavone glycosides.

In addition, the harmfulness of horsetails is determined by the high content of silicic acid salts in their tissues (mechanical damage to mucous membranes, increased absorption of toxic substances).

Picture of poisoning

There are indications of the toxic effects of marsh and swamp horsetails and, to a lesser extent, horsetails and wintering on horses, in which they cause a disease called “shatuna” (after grazing on marshy meadows).

Horsetails take effect after some time (40-87 days).

The first signs of poisoning: dilated pupils, changes in behavior (increased aggressiveness). At the same time, paresis and paralysis of the muscles of the hind limbs appear. The gait becomes uncertain, shaky, until complete immobilization occurs. Signs of acute gastroenteritis are revealed, the urine darkens (protein). In some cases - cardiac dysfunction.

When cattle eat horsetails, they experience digestive disorders, general lethargy, and rapid weight loss. If you do not stop feeding hay that is heavily contaminated with horsetails, death can occur. Abortions occur in pregnant animals; in lactating animals, milk yield decreases and milk spoils (becomes watery, bluish).

First aid: stopping feeding livestock low-quality hay, etc.

Practical significance

• Weeds of hayfields and pastures;
• field weeds (horsetail, etc.);
• medicinal (horsetail);
• abrasive grinding material;
• young shoots of some horsetails (especially from the subgenus Hippochate) good food for wild and domestic animals;
• young spore-bearing shoots of horsetail (“petals”) were previously eaten raw.

Update: October 2018

Field horsetail (pusher, sucker, horsetail) is a perennial herbaceous plant, part of the Equisetaceae family. Distributed in subarctic, tropical and temperate regions, ranging from Iceland to Alaska.

In Russia and the post-Soviet countries it is found everywhere, with the exception of the northern parts and deserts. Prefers forests, floodplain meadows, bush thickets, river banks, sandbanks, fields, selects sandy or moderately moist soils. It also grows in the mountains, reaching the subalpine zone. It is considered a weed that is quite difficult to remove and can form entire thickets.

This delicate herringbone-shaped plant with a cone at the top is probably known to many people, but few people realize its beneficial properties. Traditional herbalists and pharmacologists have known the medicinal properties and contraindications of horsetail for a long time, which allows the use of plant preparations in medicine.

But the scope of application of the sosonka is not limited to this. Spring shoots are eaten both fresh and after heat treatment, added to sauces, pies, and casseroles. Considered a nutritious food for wild animals, but can cause poisoning in cattle and horses.

Morphological description

Horsetail grass reaches a height of 40-50 cm, has a long creeping rhizome, on which short branches are formed in the form of tubers for vegetative propagation of the plant, accumulating nutrients.

There are 2 types of above-ground shoots:

Generative shoots They are unbranched, have a brown or pinkish color, and are distinguished by triangular leaf teeth of brown color. After the spores ripen, the chlorophyll-free shoots die off or become green, form lateral branches and in this form are no longer distinguishable from vegetative shoots. At the top there is a spore-bearing oval-cylindrical spikelet.

Vegetative form The grass is green. Inside, the shoots are hollow, erect or rising above the ground, with branches and a smooth surface.

The leaf teeth are united into whorls from 6 to 16, which grow together or remain free. The branches in whorls are simple or weakly branched, looking upward. The reduced leaves on the stem have a cylindrical shape. The spikelets are almost cylindrical in shape and 2-3 cm long.

It has no flowers and reproduces by spores.

Chemical composition

The unique chemical composition of horsetail (the above-ground part of the plant) determines its medicinal properties:

• carbohydrates (galactose, pectin, mannose, glucose, arabinose, xylose);
• resins;
• saponins (equisetonin, etc.);
• carotene;
• vitamin C;
• mineral salts;
• tannins;
• silicic acid salts;
• flavonoids (kaempferol-3-sophorazide, 5-glucoside-luteolin, quercetin-3-glycoside, apigenin-5-glycoside, saponaretin, dihydroquercetin and others);
• alkaloids (nicotine, trimethoxypyridine, equisetin, dimethylsulfone);
• organic acids (nicotinic, malic, quinic, aconitic, oxalic, fumaric, gluconic);
• phenolcarboxylic acids (vanillic, gallic, protocatechuic, ferulic, caffeic),
• fatty oil (contains campesterol, β-sitosterol, isofucosterol);
• bitterness.

All chemicals together determine the complex therapeutic effect.

• Thus, the herbal preparations of the plant are superior to renal preparations in terms of diuretic effect, have pronounced hemostatic and anti-inflammatory properties, improve the proliferation of connective tissue, accelerate tissue regeneration, especially during the tuberculosis process, activate the activity of the adrenal cortex, and normalize phosphorus-calcium metabolism.
• Flavonoids determine antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects;
• Horsetail helps remove lead from the body;
• Silicon compounds improve the course of metabolic processes and the condition of connective tissue, vascular walls and mucous membranes. Silicic acid salts play a special role in the development of bone tissue. In urine, these compounds prevent the crystallization of salts and the formation of stones.
• A strong diuretic effect makes the plant effective for weight loss, but it should be remembered that minerals are also washed out with excess liquid, so it should not be overused. In addition, relying only on herbal preparations for the purpose of losing weight is not advisable.

Collection and preparation

Barren spring shoots are collected in the summer: cut with a knife or sickle and dried under sheds or in attics. After drying, place in linen or paper bags. Shelf life – 4 years.

Medicinal properties

Plant preparations are characterized by a number of positive effects: antimicrobial, hemostatic, anthelmintic, diuretic, antispasmodic, astringent, expectorant, antiseptic, restorative, wound healing.

This allows horsetail to be used with health benefits for a number of diseases:

• inflammatory processes in the oral cavity: periodontal disease, gingivitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis. Horsetail is also prescribed for adenoids; it helps eliminate inflammation, swelling and restore breathing.
• fungal infections caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, rubrum, Aspergillus niger, Microsporum canis;
• Qatar of the upper respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma;
• pathologies of the musculoskeletal system: radiculitis, arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, bone fractures;
• duodenal ulcer, cholecystitis and chronic cholangiocholecystitis, pancreatitis;
• metabolic pathologies (gout, mild and moderate forms of diabetes), excess body weight;
• congestion due to insufficiency of cardiac and respiratory function, which is manifested by internal and external edema (heart failure, congenital heart defects, pleurisy with large exudate);
• urinary tract diseases: cystitis, pyelitis, urethritis, urolithiasis;
• atherosclerosis of blood vessels of the central nervous system and heart;
• hemorrhoids, nasal and uterine bleeding;
• the medicinal properties of horsetail allow it to be used for women with metrorrhagia and inflammatory processes;
• insufficient supply of minerals or impaired absorption in elderly people;
• tuberculosis of the lungs and skin (prescribed in parallel with chemotherapy treatment);
• lead poisoning, acute and chronic;
• external chronic sluggish purulent wounds, ulcers, as well as abscesses, lichen, boils, eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, dermatitis;
• dandruff, seborrhea of ​​the scalp, hyperkeratosis, baldness.

Pharmaceutical preparations with horsetail

Phytolysin - a combined preparation of plant origin in the form of a paste for obtaining a solution for internal use in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract of an infectious nature and nephrourolithiasis;

Horsetail herb (Herba equiseti) Dry plant raw materials with a wide range of applications.

Extract liquid or dry It has many indications and is used: to stop nosebleeds, treat diseases of the urinary system, enuresis, improve the condition of problem skin, etc.

Scientific research on horsetail

• Mentions of an amazing plant were found in the works of Avicenna and Pliny, dating back to the 1st century BC, which was positioned as a unique hemostatic agent.
• The first works of domestic scientists on the study of the composition of the plant and its properties appeared in the 40s. XX century.
• The presence of flavonoid substances and phenolcarboxylic acids in the composition was described by Czech scientists in the 1980s, who studied the composition of the plant using thin layer chromatography.
• In 2008, at the Siberian State Medical University, the antitoxic, diuretic, antiexudative and antifungal effects of the plant extract were proven both in vitro and in vivo.
• In 2014, at the Kursk Medical University, an experimental study of the diuretic activity of the plant infusion was conducted on outbred white rats, during which an increase in diuresis in the experimental group of animals was proven by 95.7%.

Folk recipes with horsetail

Medicinal tea

• It has a low concentration of active substances and is indicated for the prevention of the above diseases or at the initial stage of pathologies. Especially recommended for older people and all people in the autumn-winter period. 2 tsp dry herbs, pour 0.2 liters of boiling water and for 30 minutes. insist, strain. Second method: the raw material in the same volume is mixed with 200 ml of cold boiled water and infused for 12 hours.
• Take the resulting volume in small sips, 3-4 times a day, for 2-3 months.

Decoction

• Place 20 grams of dry herbs in a saucepan, add 200 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid and heat in a water bath for half an hour. Cool until warm, filter, squeezing out the raw materials. The volume of the decoction is adjusted to 200 ml by diluting with warm boiled water.
• Indications: edema of renal, pulmonary and cardiac origin, including against the background of exudative pleurisy, heart failure, inflammatory diseases of the kidneys, bladder; Gastrointestinal tract disease, diarrhea, prevention of internal bleeding due to gastrointestinal ulcers, heavy painful menstruation, fungal infections (inside). Inflammatory pathologies of the mouth and throat (rinsing), wounds, bedsores, ulcers, eczema, furunculosis (washing), arthrosis and arthritis (warm compresses).
• Take 1-2 tbsp orally. or a third of a glass 2-3 times a day. 60 minutes after eating.

Infusion

• 20 grams of horsetail herb are poured into 200 ml of boiling water and evaporated under a warm towel for 1 hour, filtered.
• Indications: urolithiasis, inflammatory diseases of the liver and bladder, edema of cardiac origin, inflammatory diseases of the female genital area, atherosclerosis, hypertension, bone fractures (inside). Long-term non-healing wounds, suppuration, ulcers, bedsores, eczema, furunculosis, (washing), loose, porous and inflamed skin (wiping), gout, rheumatism, pleurisy (warm compresses), sore throat and inflammatory diseases of the throat and mouth (rinsing). Conjunctivitis (instill 1-2 drops into each conjunctival sac 3 times a day). Used for hair as a rinse after washing.
• Take 1-2 tbsp orally. l. 3-4 times a day.

Juice

• Wash the fresh herb thoroughly in cold running water, chop it and squeeze out the juice. Store in a cool place.
• Indications: edema of various origins, treatment and prevention of varicose veins, frequent and prolonged viral diseases, weakened immunity (inside). Purulent, bleeding wounds (treatment). Frequent nosebleeds (put 2-3 drops into the nose).
• Take 2 tsp. up to 3 times a day.

Extract

• Sold in pharmacies and specialty stores.
• Indications: treatment and prevention of urolithiasis, decreased elasticity of connective tissue, weak hair and nails, atherosclerosis (treatment and prevention), lead intoxication, cough and wheezing in the bronchi, tuberculosis of the skin and lungs, diabetes mellitus, weakened immunity, rheumatic pain (inside) . Sore throat and gum inflammation (rinsing). Fungal infections (external treatment).
• Take ½ teaspoon 3-4 times a day. To obtain a liquid extract from a dry briquette, pour 200 ml of water into ½ of a briquette, boil for 30 minutes and filter.

Alcohol tincture

• It is a general tonic and improves metabolism. Take 20 gr. herbs and pour 1 liter. white wine, leave for 7 days, strain.
• Take 2 tbsp. on an empty stomach, 2-3 weeks.

Ointment

• It is an antiseptic and wound-healing drug. Take 1 part of dry crushed raw materials, add 4 parts of Vaseline and mix.
• Lubricate ulcers, cracks, purulent wounds with ointment.

Baths

• 100 gr. dry herbs, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes. and added to a standard bath.
• Indications: poor circulation in the extremities, reduced metabolism, frostbite and suppuration of the skin, rheumatic diseases, joint diseases, gout. Sweaty feet and hands (local baths).
• Take a bath for 10-15 minutes, repeat after 1 day. Per course: 15-17 baths.

Highly specialized fees and formulations

Collection for the treatment of tuberculous lymphadenitis

• Take 50 gr. horse tail, 30 gr. knotweed and gentian roots, mix: 2-3 tbsp. collection, pour 500 ml of water and boil over low heat for 10 minutes.
• Drink 100 gr. 4 times a day. before meals.

A remedy for the treatment of adenoids in children

• Grind fresh or dry grass, take 2 tbsp. l., pour half a glass of boiling water and wrap in a towel for 40 minutes. Strain. Fresh product is prepared every day.
• Treatment is prescribed for 3-4 weeks. Place 5 drops in each nostril 3 times a day. The procedure is well tolerated, but in order for the drops to get deep into the nose, before instillation you should rinse with any preparation based on sea water. On day 2-3, heavy discharge may appear from the nose - there is no need to stop treatment, this is a normal reaction.

Decoction for osteoporosis, arthritis, rheumatism

• 100 gr. Pour 1 liter of water over the plants and place on low heat until the volume of water is reduced by half. Strain and add 250 g to the broth. honey, place in a water bath for 30 minutes, skimming off any foam that forms.
• Take 1 tbsp. up to 5 times a day.

Decoction for gallstones

• Take 1 tbsp. pusher, 2 tbsp. knotweed and 6 tbsp. , stir and pour the mixture with 3 glasses of water. Cook for 15 minutes over low heat. Leave for 1 hour.
• Take half a glass 2-3 times a day. before meals, 1 month.

Medicinal collection for the treatment and prevention of diseases of bones and joints

• Take 10 grams. horsetail, linden blossom, mallow flowers, plantain, 5 g each. elder flowers, thyme, fennel fruits. The raw materials are mixed, take 2 tsp. mixture and pour 1 cup of boiling water, cover with a lid for 20 minutes, filter.
• Take 100-150 ml 3 times a day, with honey, for 2-3 months.

Remedy for acne and “unclean” skin (with eczema, psoriasis)

• Mix horsetail with linden flowers in equal proportions, take 1 tbsp. collection and pour 1 cup of boiling water, leave for 1 hour.
• Wipe problem areas of the skin with warm infusion at night. To treat the face, the infusion can be frozen and rubbed into cubes onto the skin.

Contraindications to treatment and precautions

Contraindications for sosonka are as follows:

• Nephritis and nephrosis;
• Heavy internal bleeding;
• Pregnancy (causes uterine contractions);
• Lactation;
• Children under 3 years of age;
• Individual intolerance.

You cannot take medications from this plant for more than 3 months in a row. It contains the enzyme thiaminase, which breaks down vitamin B1, so the use of horsetail preparations for more than 3 months leads to the development of a deficiency of this vitamin. The potassium content in the blood also decreases, which, coupled with a pronounced diuretic effect, leads to hypokalemia, so this indicator should be monitored during treatment. Incompatible with lithium drugs - it slows down their natural elimination from the body, which is fraught with the development of side effects.

The use of horsetail must be agreed with the attending physician - only this is a guarantee of safe and effective treatment.

Horsetail (Equisetum palustre L.) from the horsetail family (Fig. 3.30). The stem is branched, 15-60 cm high, up to 4 mm thick, with 6-10 deep grooves. It has simple non-branching branches on its shoots. Spore-bearing and vegetative shoots are of the same appearance, always green, and wide funnel-shaped sheaths with 6-7 lanceolate brownish teeth.
Grows in wet meadows, along the banks of reservoirs, in areas with low-lying, flooded meadows. Can cause serious contamination of hay. Horsetails are poisonous when green and dry. Horses are more often exposed to poisoning, especially from hay with horsetail. If animals are fed horsetail hay for a long time, they may die from exhaustion.
Poisoning can also occur from feeding straw mixed with horsetail. For cattle, the most dangerous is horsetail. There is information about the possibility of poisoning sheep with this horsetail. The degree of toxicity of horsetails depends on climatic conditions, soil, the amount of horsetail eaten, and general feeding conditions.
Sick animals experience severe gastrointestinal distress.

Mass poisoning of animals by horsetails is most common during dry summers, when wetlands dry out and become available for haymaking. Hay containing more than 5% horsetails is dangerous for animals. During hot silage, when the temperature in the silo is kept at least 60C for several days, the most poisonous of horsetails - marsh horsetail - becomes harmless.
Feeding such silage, even if it contains horsetails up to 50%, does not cause harm to animals. Therefore, to prevent poisoning of animals by horsetails, it is necessary not to dry the grass from low-lying swampy meadows, heavily overgrown with horsetails, but to make silage for hay.
During dry summers, cases of horsetail poisoning have been reported. If the first signs of horsetail poisoning appear on a pasture, pasture areas should be changed without delay.
Horsetail contains the toxic substance saponin and a large amount of silicic acid. If found in hay in large quantities, it can cause equisetosis in livestock - a disease known in Russia as “shatun”. In this case, animals quickly lose weight, milk yield falls and the fat content of milk decreases. Animals that were calm before illness become angry, agitated, and their hind legs buckle. Horses assume a sitting dog position, rear paralysis occurs, and they lie down with seizures. Their appetite is preserved, and fever attacks do not occur.
Cattle become lethargic, stop chewing cud, experience severe diarrhea, the quality of the milk changes, it becomes watery and bluish. Abortions are possible in cows.
Fawn horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) from the horsetail family. Less poisonous. It contains the alkaloid equisitin and various acids. When poisoned by horsetail, cattle experience continuous diarrhea, accompanied by paralysis, thinness and hydremia in combination with weakness. Colic, urinary retention, red urine, abortion, and tooth loss are noted.
Symptoms of horsetail poisoning are similar to those of marsh horsetail poisoning.

In Russia there are up to 13 species of horsetail (Equisetosis). Horsetails are characterized by an underground creeping rhizome. The stems are gnarled, with spiky branches. The leaves are small, ring-shaped, fused into toothed sheaths. Horsetails reproduce by spores that are found in sporangia located on the lower surface of special thyroid leaves collected in a spikelet at the top of the stem.

Horsetails are ubiquitous. Horsetail (Equisetum palustre L.), Horsetail (Equiseptum silvaticum L.), Horsetail (Equiseptum limosum L.), Horsetail (Equiseptum arvense L.) are of toxicological importance.

Horsetail - has branched stems with 6-10 deep grooves, uniform, i.e. simultaneously containing both sterile and spore-bearing branches. The height of the stems is from 29 to 60 cm. stem sheaths are wide, with 6-10 white-edged lanceolate teeth. The spore-bearing spike is blunt, most often located at the top of the central stem, but sometimes also on the lateral branches.

Swamp horsetail is a perennial plant with a very powerful root system. Distributed throughout the territory of the former USSR, with the exception of the southeast, everywhere to the Far North. Its main habitat is damp, marshy soils, meadows, fields, banks of swamps, lakes and rivers.

Forest horsetail, like marsh horsetail, is characterized by the presence of sterile and spore-bearing stems. It develops two stems at the same time, and the spore-bearing spore, after spilling out, takes on a green color and begins to branch. The plant has a height of 20-60 cm. In early spring, the stems are simple (not branched) bearing a spike with sporangia at the top; sheaths are bell-shaped, with 4-5 wide brown teeth. As the spores mature, the ear withers and numerous branches develop from the nodes, forming tiers at regular intervals. Outwardly, such a whorled formation resembles a “cap”, since the ends of the branches are directed downward, drooping.

Horsetail is found in forests, river swamps, fallow fields and crops. It is widespread, just like the swamp, in temperate countries. Horsetail is a perennial plant.

Horsetail has a completely simple, less often branched, up to 1 m tall stem, which ends in a pointed spore-bearing spikelet with sporangia. The sheaths are short, cylindrical, with 15-20 black teeth.

Found in swamps and pond banks almost everywhere.

Horsetail This type of horsetail is characterized by the presence of two kinds of stems, some of which are fruitful and appear in early spring, while others are sterile and develop in the summer. The first ones are very low (15-20cm), not branched, reddish-white, and die off when the pores mature; the latter are tall (30-60cm), hard, branched. Horsetail grows everywhere.

The poisonous principles of all horsetails are equisetin and the saponin-like substance equisetonin (contained in plants up to 5%).

The danger of poisoning animals with horsetails largely depends on their growing conditions. Drying horsetails does not reduce their toxicity. Equisetosis affects cattle, horses, sheep and pigs. Mortality among horses due to horsetail poisoning reaches up to 70%.

Pathogenesis. Horsetails contain the enzyme thiaminase, which causes the destruction of thiamine (vitamin B1). In poisoned animals, spontaneous vitamin B1 deficiency develops, accompanied by changes in the animal’s nervous system. Damage to the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidneys suggests that the toxic substances of horsetails have a local irritant effect on the mucous membranes. Toxic substances are absorbed into the blood, causing toxemia in animals; Such blood containing toxins, passing through the liver, causes its degeneration and leads to the development of parenchymal jaundice in the poisoned animal. Such blood, containing toxins, passing through the kidneys, damages the excretory apparatus of the kidneys.

Clinical picture. In cattle in case of horsetail poisoning, a veterinarian during a clinical examination notes the cessation of chewing; upon auscultation of the intestines, increased peristalsis, persistent diarrhea, black feces are noted, and have a putrid, fetid odor. Body temperature is normal. In a poisoned animal, owners note urine retention; in some animals, the urine may turn red. Milk productivity in animals decreases sharply, and subsequently stops altogether. The milk of such animals is watery, bluish in color, and low in fat. Animals lie for a long time, are reluctant to get up, and their gait is unsteady. In severe and protracted cases, owners note general depression, sometimes paralysis. Abortions are possible in pregnant animals.

In horses The first clinical signs of horsetail poisoning give a picture of damage to the nervous system. A veterinarian during a clinical examination reveals increased excitability (shuddering at a sudden noise, alertness, excitement, anger, agitation when touching the skin, etc.), dilated pupils, pronounced yellowness of the mucous membranes. Poisoning is especially characterized by a peculiar unsteadiness of the back of the body, an incorrect step, a skewed croup, and bending of the limbs, especially when turning. With more severe poisoning, the horse develops symptoms characteristic of rear paralysis. A sick horse cannot get up after lying down and remains in the sitting dog position for a long time. The characteristic gait of a horse poisoned by horsetail gave this disease the popular name “connecting rod.” Such poisoned animals retain a normal appetite, and when examining them in the pen, a veterinarian cannot find anything special. However, it is enough to make an attempt to bring the horse out, and in addition to the unsteadiness, the veterinary specialist notes that the horse does not lift its limbs well and, when moving, touches them against the slightest obstacles (thresholds, etc.). In some cases, a sick horse can be moved with great difficulty. When forced to move, such poisoned horses often fall or hit their hindquarters against nearby objects (poles, etc.). Subsequently, we note an uncertain gait in the horse (uncertain, shortened steps, “intertwining” of limbs). This swaying in a poisoned horse is especially noticeable when it moves on hard ground. Depending on the degree of poisoning, it may sometimes only appear when trotting and turning. When sick, horses mostly stand and do not lie down even at night.

The body temperature of a sick horse is normal or subnormal (36-37°). An increase in body temperature to 39-39.5° can be an exception, and then only with strong excitement, turning into convulsions. A poisoned animal is most often in a state of depression at a low body temperature. Breathing in such horses is usually not impaired. Pulse slow, arrhythmic. At the same time, increased heart rate for a veterinarian is a poor prognostic sign and is usually observed in animals before death. Intestinal motility during auscultation is increased or normal. The stool is covered with mucus. Urine color ranges from normal to dark brown. Depending on the condition of the sick horse, urine examination may reveal sugar, protein, and bile pigments.

In the following days, the horse develops paralysis of the hindquarters, as a result of which the animal is unable to rise, although normal temperature and appetite remain, or recovery occurs. A poisoned animal recovers very slowly and gradually.

Pathological changes. Signs of acute poisoning in a dead animal are weakly expressed and therefore not very characteristic. Such signs include a yellowish coloration of the subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen, accumulation of exudate in the pleural and abdominal cavities, enlarged heart, and myocardial flabbiness. The liver is dark dirty in color, flabby, the pattern is smoothed. We note catarrhal inflammation of the stomach and intestines, hemorrhages on the serous and mucous membranes. The lungs are filled with blood. The cerebellum and spinal cord are hyperemic.

Diagnosis. The diagnosis of horsetail poisoning is made based on the characteristic clinical picture of the disease. Presence of horsetail in hay.

Differential diagnosis. We exclude .

Forecast. In the acute course of poisoning, when convulsive phenomena are pronounced in the poisoned animal, the prognosis is unfavorable.

Treatment. Animal owners should exclude feed contaminated with horsetails from the feeding diet. Sometimes just this is enough and the symptoms of poisoning in the animal disappear. Recovery of a poisoned animal is accelerated by intravenous administration of thiamine up to 500 mg per day per head. When treating poisoning, administer sodium bicarbonate with water (0.5 l) orally. or in the form of enemas (3 l) 50-100 g., for paresis and paralysis, drugs that stimulate the nervous system are used: strychnine nitrite subcutaneously at 0.05-0.06 g daily; veratrine 0.05-0.10g and caffeine-sodium-benzoate 3-5g. For horses with severe depression, alternating with agitation during external stimulation, intravenous administration of a 10% aqueous solution of sodium thiosulfite works well. On the first day, 150 ml is injected and after 4 hours 200 ml; on the second day, inject 250 ml and after 4 hours 300 ml; on the third day - 350 ml and after 4 hours 400 ml.

Externally, turpentine and others are used as a distracting agent, which are rubbed along the spinal column.

Prevention. Radical measures in the fight against all types of horsetail are drainage, drainage, liming of swamps and wet meadows, deep and thorough tillage, and the introduction of fodder root crops into the crop rotation (after which the field is usually cleared of all weeds). Owners should not graze animals in areas where horsetails grow abundantly. When feeding animals, it is necessary to exclude from the diet hay contaminated with horsetails.