One of Hyrbal GLOW's ingredients is the herb horsetail. Horsetail contains high levels of silica, or silicon dioxide, one of the planet’s most common and most important elements. Silica contains silicic acid, which is shown to increase the tensile strength and thickness of hair as well as reduce brittleness, according to a 2005 study in the Archive of Dermatological Research.

What is horsetail?

Horsetail’s botanical name is Equisetum arvense. Its use as a medical herb dates back to the times of the Greeks and the Romans. These ancients used it to stop hemorrhage and external bleeding and to treat tuberculosis and kidney diseases. Promoting skin, nail and hair health are also reported benefits of using the herb.

What does horsetail do for hair, skin and nails?

One of the first things to know about horsetail is that it contains a high level of silica. Silica is a compound that has major benefits for hair, skin and nails. By way of background: silica is a combination of silicon and oxygen, the two most abundant elements on our planet. It is within the grass that herbivores eat, while meat-eating animals and people have much less of it within their bodies. Silica is found in many vegetables including leafy greens and onions as well as whole grains.

One of the great advantages of silica can be seen in our skin, as one of the biggest components of collagen is actually silica. Since collagen is the connective tissue that makes up most of our skin, it is not difficult to realize the importance of adequate silica levels within our bodies to help stave off premature aging. 

Silica's advantages can also be found in nail health. Silica takes all the nutrients to the nails helping not only to impart strength but also feeds the nail bed with all the vital nutrients for encouraging healthy and strong nails.

Horsetail and hair growth

The main reason why the herb is believed to be able to stimulate hair and nail growth is because of its antioxidant effects. Horsetail can also improve circulation, which in turn stimulates hair and nail growth. The herb also has the ability to increase urine output by acting as a diuretic, leading the system to cleanse and detox itself. This tends to result in better overall health and improve blood circulation. Blood circulation improves the condition of both the scalp and the individual hair follicles and nail beds. With these improvements comes the ability for hair follicles to produce new hair and nail beds to grow nails faster.

Because of its silica content, horsetail is also useful when trying to stimulate hair and appearance. The herb rejuvenates your hair, adding sheen to the appearance and strength to the hair shafts. It also contains selenium and cysteine, which are known to promote healthy hair growth. Both of these substances contribute to healthier hair and prevent free radicals from damaging the cells. So when looking for supplements, make sure to look for those where all three ingredients are included.

So to sum it all up:

• Horsetail is a plant that grows naturally in the wild.
• The most common uses for horsetail include kidney and bladder issues, weight loss, heavy menstrual bleeding and to prevent or reverse balding.
• Horsetail is also good to apply to wounds, burns and other skin irritations which may explain why some people suffering from thinning hair prefer to use it as a topical as opposed taking it orally.
• Supplements that contain horsetail can be beneficial for your hair, skin and nails.