Horsetail, or horsetail, is a plant of the Equisetaceae family that has always been used for its many cosmetic properties to the advantage of skin, hair and nails. In fact, the horsetail is rich in antioxidant substances, useful for giving tone and elasticity to the skin, but also for mineral salts useful for promoting the remineralization of the osteo - articular system and hard tissues such as nails and hair. Then we discover how to prepare a horsetail tisa to strengthen the nails.
Symptoms, causes and diet for fragile nails
Brittle nails, which flake, stain or weaken, are a symptom of other dysfunctions in our body, mostly related to the production of keratin, the substance of which the nail is made at 98%.
When this occurs, there is likely to be:
- a deficiency of amino acids such as cystine, arginine;
- a mineral deficiency, such as iron, zinc and selenium;
- a deficiency of B vitamins, vitamin A, C, E, H.
However, there are also other causes that determine the fragility of nails such as:
- mycosis;
- allergies;
- contact with detergents and chemicals.
One of the first elements on which to take care of this disorder is undoubtedly the power supply. Against fragile nails it is important to consume:
- whole grains, milk, peas and beans;
- silica-rich foods such as strawberries, figs, plums and cherries;
- foods rich in zinc, such as egg yolk, wheat germ, fish, meat and cheese.
Horsetail characteristics and properties
Horsetail is a fern with a sterile stem, ie without flowers and seeds, whose multiplication is ensured by the spores emitted by a second type of gray stem because it is free of chlorophyll.
It is a plant rich in mineral principles, such as silica (10% passes as silicic acid in herbal teas), calcium, magnesium, potassium, responsible for the re-mineralization of the osteo-articular system and hard tissues.
It is therefore useful in case of nail fragility, but also against hair loss, alopecia, osteoporosis and the after-effects of fractures and tendonitis.
The horsetail, finally, is a diuretic, recommended in the treatment of the elimination of metabolic waste, and a capillo-protector useful against capillary fragility.
The horsetail herbal tea
- Characteristics : it favors the remineralization of the osteo-articular system and of the hard tissues such as nails and hair. Its intake is therefore indicated in case of nail fragility, hair loss, alopecia.
- Recipe : 1 tablespoon of horsetail top, 1 cup of water. Pour the plant into cold water, light the fire and bring to a boil. Boil a few minutes and turn off the heat. Cover and leave to infuse for 10 minutes, filter the infusion and drink it.
- Use : drink a cup a day, away from meals to take advantage of its remineralizing and diuretic action.
- Properties : anti-fall, remineralising, diuretic.
