Horsetail for Hair Loss: Can It Really Promote Hair Growth

Horsetail (also called equisetum arvense) is a plant that has been traditionally used as an herbal remedy for centuries— if you’re dealing with thinning hair, you’re probably wondering about horsetail for hair loss, specifically.  

The short answer (and sorry to be the bearer of bad news) is that there’s limited scientific research specifically confirming horsetail’s effectiveness for hair growth.  And before you get too excited, know that the horsetail plant is named because its leaves resemble the animal’s tail, not because it promises to give you hair as thick and shiny as a horse’s tail (though it may help nudge you in that direction).

Here, we’ll discuss horsetail benefits for hair, whether it can stop hair loss, and other commonly asked questions about the plant.

We’ll cut to the chase — there’s just enough research to say that horsetail alone can reverse or stop hair loss. 

 The plant has some known hair benefits, which we’ll discuss below.

Horsetail Has a High Silica Content

A 2016 review suggested that silicon, particularly orthosilicic acid, may boost collagen production in the skin, reduce hair loss, and strengthen nails. Horsetail naturally contains a high amount of silica, a compound of silicon and oxygen that may benefit hair health. In fact, you’ll find silicone listed as an ingredient in many shampoos and conditioners because of its ability to coat the hair in a thin protective layer. 

Silica also may help prevent breakage (when taken orally), according to some older research.

Some studies have also found that higher levels of silica in the blood are linked to positive health outcomes, including healthier hair and nails.

Horsetail is not the only way to get silica — it’s also found in food (especially vegetables), or you can supplement with it.

Horsetail Helps The Body Make Collagen

Silicone is important for collagen synthesis, which is the body’s ability to make collagen.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body (and all mammals). It gives strength and structure to skin, hair, nails, bones, and muscles.

A recent study also suggests that collagen derived from fish (also called marine collagen) may help promote hair growth by increasing the number of hair follicles in mice and inducing the anagen, or growth, phase of the hair growth cycle. So, while horsetail itself isn’t known to promote hair growth, it can help your body produce collagen, which may help with healthy hair.

You can learn more in our guide to collagen for hair growth. 

Horsetail is Anti-Inflammatory

Horsetail contains many antioxidant properties and is also anti-inflammatory (according to research that did not specifically look at its effects on hair). Horsetail essential oil or extract also guards the scalp from bacteria and fungi.

 This property could theoretically help with conditions categorized by scalp inflammation, including seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff tinea capitis, psoriasis, and folliculitis.  Scalp inflammation generally does not directly cause hair loss, though it could damage your hair follicles over time or cause itching (which leads to scratching), both of which can be factors in hair loss.

How Do You Take Horsetail for Hair Growth?

Interested in using horsetail for hair growth? There are a couple of ways to use the ingredient. Horsetail is available in the following forms:

• Capsules

• Topical Hair Oil 

• Hair Products

• Essential Oil

• Tinctures

• Horsetail Tea

• Dried Herb

• In Certain Hair Supplement Formulas

What Are The Side Effects Of Horsetail?

Horsetail is generally considered safe, though there are some potential side effects to be aware of.

• Allergic reactions. Horsetail is related to carrots. If you’re allergic to carrots, you may also react to horsetail. T

• Contact reactions. In rare cases, hypersensitivity reactions like skin rash and allergic dermatitis have happened in response to topical horsetail.

• Increased urination: A study on 36 men found that oral horsetail had a diuretic effect (it made the people in the study pee more often). 

• Vitamin B1 (thiamine) deficiency: Horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down thiamine (a member of the B vitamin family). Regularly taking horsetail can increase your risk of thiamine deficiency.

So, is horsetail meant for horses? It’s a very fair question, especially because some shampoos made with horsetail feature a picture of a horse on the bottle. It can all be very confusing. To answer the question, no, horsetail is not intended to be used by horses. In fact, the plant may actually be toxic to horses in large quantities.

Here’s a quick recap of horsetail, an herbal remedy that may have benefits for hair growth.

• While horsetail has potential health benefits for hair due to its high silica content, there's limited scientific evidence directly proving its effectiveness for significant hair growth. However, it’s also not known to be harmful as part of a skincare or hair care routine.

• Horsetail’s ability to support collagen production and reduce inflammation may indirectly benefit hair and scalp health, promoting a better environment for hair growth.

• Although horsetail is generally safe, potential side effects like allergic reactions and thiamine deficiency should be considered before incorporating it into your routine.

To learn more about the relationship between certain natural ingredients and hair loss, check out our guides to turmeric for hair growth, saw palmetto benefits for men, and rosemary oil for hair. 

And if you’re interested in learning more about medications that can help slow or reverse hair loss  or balding (like finasteride and minoxidil), you can explore hair loss treatments for healthy hair growth that (unlike horsetail) are proven effective.