Horsetail

Horsetail, Scouring rush, Shave grass, Bottlebrush, Pewterwort, Meadow Horsetail, Field Horsetail, Woodland Horsetail, Marsh Horsetail

cola de caballo, limpiaplata, pinko-pinko, yerba de platero, tembladera, , cola de cabello, hierba de plata, cepa de cahuel, chigote de fraile

Equisetum hyemale, Equisetum pretense, Equisetum sylvaticum, Equisetum palestre, Equisetum bogotense, Equisetum giganteum, Equisetum arvense

gijib' inuskon', gijib 'inuskon'; giji 'binusk; Aanikawishkoons, Zhiishibinashk, Otadimoomtigoons; gijib' inuskon' (it is round); cingwako'ns (little pine); cingwako'sawunk (like a little pine); kisi'banusk (squeaky noise weed); La krayaen (Michif-Cree); Miscanikwacas osos (Ile-de-la-Crosse Michif)

kavajú ruguá tapirakuái

Scouring rush is a slender, evergreen plant that reaches heights of up to 5 feet. The dark green stem is bamboo-like, hollow, rough, rarely branched, with about 30 broad gray ridges bordered by a darker color. In summer a sharp-tipped cone tops the fertile stems. It forms thickets in low wet areas in woods, on shady slopes, along stream-sides, on sandy shores, and in disturbed soil such as along railroad tracks. The rootstock is creeping and has numerous branchings.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
______________________________________________________________________________

Horsetail, Equisetum arvense, is among many species horsetail. A perennial plant rising from creeping-root stocks, the numerous stems are furrowed, many-jointed; fruitification in terminal cone-like spikes. The spikes are the first to appear in spring (can be prepared like asparagus) but they die after a few weeks and are followed by a clump of stems of which the outer layer contains a quality of silica. The plant grows in sand and gravel, along roadsides and railway tracks and wet places.
(Indian Herbalogy of North America)
______________________________________________________________________________

Equisetum are a group of plants called horsetail colloquially as they resemble a horsetail; this is also the foundation of latin names as well. This plant will poison horses. Also known as snake grass. Through vascular system, plant absorbs water and the minerals dissolved in water reform as crystals in the plant body. One of the most ancient life forms on Earth. In Carboniferous Period there were forests of tree-sized equisetum, which became the coal beds we now use for energy. (Plants have so much to give us)
______________________________________________________________________________

As well as being useful as a scouring pad, Native Americans traditionally burned parts of the scouring rush as a disinfectant.
(Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa)
______________________________________________________________________________

Stems used for scouring pots, also used for polishing hardwood, ivory and brass. Medicinal uses withy plant boiled in water: diuretic, astringent. Stems used as a stimulating diuretic in kidney and dropsical disorders (excess of water), and for eye and skin treatment because of the considerable amount of silica. It strengthens heart and lungs and is an excellent tonic when the whole system is enfeebled. For discomfort and difficulty in discharging urine, it is not to be replaced. A specific in bleeding of all kinds, taken internally, but should be discontinued when taken alone for bleeding when cessation takes place.
(Indian Herbalogy of North America)
______________________________________________________________________________

Equisetum's water-soluble calcium used to treat broken bones. A quart jar of dried equisetum, and one of dried boneset, made as tea, 1 tsp to 1 cup of boiling water, 3 times a day, until all dried plant consumed. (Plants have so much to give us, all we have to do is ask)
______________________________________________________________________________

Used throughout the world in treatment of kidney and bladder ailments. Mild diuretic properties helpful for suppressed urine or prostate problems. Used in treatment of edema and lumbago, stems heavy menstrual bleeding. Ashes applied externally are a disinfectant, poultices help heal wounds. Relieves aching feet in a foot bath, two handfuls of fresh or dried plant in hot water.
(Medicines to help us: Traditional Metis plant use)
______________________________________________________________________________

Es muy generalizado su uso, pues es excelente para el higado, los riñones, la vejiga, el estómago, los intestinos, el brazo, el páncreas, la tiroides, el apéndice. En infusion al 30 por mil. También es buen diurético. Desintoxica y purifica la sangre. Tintura de Cola de Caballo: Cola de Caballo - 20 grs, Alcohol de 70 - 100 cc, por cucharaditas, tres of cuatro veces por día En vino: 30 cc de tintura de Cola de Caballo en 250 cc de vino generoso. Por copitas.
(La vuelta a los vegetales)
______________________________________________________________________________

Diurético y astringente. Cocimiento de la planta al 20-30 p. mil se usa como diurético y depurativo en afecciones urinarias y hepáticas. en mayor concentración por lavajes vaginales en leucorreas, para limpieza en afecciones de la piel, heridas, úlceras, especialmente varicosas: para fomentos. Al 20-30 p.mil para lavativas en diarreas con pujos y sangre. (Catalogo de plantas medicinales usadas en Paraguay)
______________________________________________________________________________

Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993

Indian Herbalogy of North America, A. Hutchens, 1973

Plants have so much to give us, all we have to do is ask: Anishinabe Botanical Teachings, Mary Sissip Geniusz, ed Wendy Makoons Geniusz. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, 2015

Medicines to help us: Traditional Metis plant use, Christie Belcourt, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Saskatoon, 2007

La vuelta a los vegetales, Carlos Hugo Burgstaller Chiriani. Lancelot, Buenos Aires, 1966/2016

Catalogo de plantas medicinales usadas en Paraguay, Dionisio M. Gonzalez Torres, 1967.