Horsetail Herb
An Ancient Plant That Loves Your Hair
Horsetail, Equisetum arvense, also known as shavegrass or scouring rush, is an ancient, non-flowering perennial plant dating back more than 350 million years. With its hollow, jointed stems that resemble green soda straws, horsetail is one of the oldest surviving plant species on Earth. It earned the name “scouring rush” because its naturally abrasive texture was once used to polish metal and scrub cookware.
Horsetail is especially valued for its exceptionally high silica content—possibly the most abundant source found in the plant kingdom. Silica is a naturally occurring mineral that plays an important role in the structure and strength of connective tissues, including hair. Horsetail also contains calcium and other trace minerals that contribute to its long history of use in traditional hair and scalp care.
We use horsetail exclusively in hair care, where its mineral-rich profile helps support strong, resilient hair and a balanced, healthy scalp. Traditionally, horsetail has been used in herbal vinegars, rinses, and washes to improve hair texture, enhance shine, and support scalp comfort.
Hair Care Benefits of Horsetail
Horsetail is prized in hair care for the way its silica and minerals interact with the hair shaft and scalp environment.
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Strengthens Hair to Reduce Breakage: Silica strengthens hair, improves elasticity, and reduces brittleness for more resilient hair.
- Improves Texture & Shine: Helps smooth the cuticle, giving hair a natural sheen and softer feel.
- Supports Volume & Body: Strengthened strands often feel fuller and more resilient.
- Combats Scalp Issues: Natural astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties can help regulate oil production on oily scalps and ease irritation and flaking associated with scalp conditions like dandruff.
- Nourishes the Scalp: Provides essential minerals like potassium, selenium, manganese, calcium, and copper, which nourish the hair follicles and help maintain the scalp's moisture balance.
- Supports Healthy Hair Growth Conditions: Stimulates scalp circulation, which increases the delivery of nutrients to the hair follicles and supports healthy new hair growth.
How We Use Horsetail
We use horsetail thoughtfully in hair-focused formulations where its strengthening and scalp-supportive properties shine.
In Natural Shampoo Bars
Horsetail-infused oils deliver beneficial plant compounds to the hair and scalp, helping to strengthen strands, add shine, and balance natural scalp oils. This makes horsetail especially useful for dull, fragile, or easily damaged hair, as well as scalps prone to oil imbalance or flaking.
In Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinses
Horsetail pairs beautifully with apple cider vinegar. The vinegar helps extract horsetail’s beneficial compounds while clarifying the scalp and smoothing the hair cuticle. Together, they help strengthen hair, improve shine, reduce frizz, and support a clean, balanced scalp.
In Our Stimulation Blend Herbal Hair Tea Rinse
As part of our Stimulation Blend, horsetail helps gently stimulate the scalp and support circulation while delivering mineral-rich benefits directly to the hair and scalp. This invigorating rinse helps refresh the scalp, boost shine, improve hair texture and manageability, and support overall hair vitality.
Horsetail is a time-tested botanical that brings strength, structure, and resilience to hair care. Its uniquely high silica content and long history of use make it a natural choice for formulations designed to support stronger hair, improved texture, and a balanced, comfortable scalp.
