Horsetail is a plant which
produces leaves, stems, flowers and roots that can be used in holistic
medicine. There is only very limited evidence supporting the use of horsetail
to treat any disease or condition, but it is most commonly used as a remedy for
hair loss, gout, fluid retention and kidney disease. In general, horsetail is
safe and associated with few side effects. However, there are a few horsetail
contraindications, or circumstances under which the product should not be used.
Avoid
horsetail supplements if you fall into any of the following groups of people.
You may be at high risk of experiencing serious side effects if you are in any
of these susceptible categories.
Pregnant Women
No
studies have evalauted horsetail's safety and efficacy for pregnant women. It
may trigger contractions in the uterus, increasing the risk of miscarriage or
preterm labor. Additionally, horsetail could theoretically incraese the
likelihood of birth defects or other health problems in the baby. Until more is
known, pregnancy is regarded as a horsetail contraindication.
People with Low Potassium
If you
have low potassium levels, or hypokalemia, you should avoid horsetail
supplements. Horsetail may increase the rate at which potassium is eliminated
from the body. This could lead to potassium levels that are dangerously low,
particularly for people with pre-existing hypokalemia. If you are at risk for
potassium deficiency, use horsetail with extreme caution and only under the
guidance of a qualified health care provider.
People with Thiamine Deficiency
Horsetail
may flush thiamine, a water-soluble B-vitamin, from the body at a faster rate.
If you have low thiamine levels or thiamine deficiency, do not use horsetail.
It could worsen the condition, leading to potentially serious complications.
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