Hierba de la plata, canutillo, wiñal, kalchalahuen, kelülawen, ng'chaing.chai, nüchainüchai (Gunckel 1959, 1966, Aukanaw s/f) limpia plata; horsetail herb; Schachtelhalm, Zinnbraut, Pferdeschwanz; queue de cheval
Stem
The sterile aerial parts of the plant are used as diuretic and astringent. In folk medicine it is used not only as diuretic but also as a haemostyptic and as an adjuvant in the treatment of tuberculosis. There is, however, no pharmacological or clinical evidence that it has a favorable effect on tuberculosis. From the stems of E. arvense it is possible to obtain a phytopharmaceutical products of wide use in Germany and France, good for urinary and kidneys problems. It is also used in bone fragility. In cosmetic is used for preparation of creams against wrinkles and cellulites.
Wild plants are harvested from their natural habitat
It grows between Central America and Chile. It grows in Arica and between IV and XI Regions in Chile. It is a hygrophilic plant that needs water for its reproduction, so that it grows at the border of water ways as well as in places of high humidity, reaching sometimes the characteristics of a weed.
Crude drug (road market) Semi processed
SSMA 2195 These services regulate food produces, not intended as drug
Since Equisetos are plants with rhizome, one can collect propagules from wild populations without causing problems. During a careful collection of rhizomes, the remaining parts can grow again and regenerate. Rhizomes are planted horizontally 1 to 2 cm deep in the substrate (with 10 to 12 cm of substrate) (Husby, 2003). It reproduces from spores that are found at the apex of fertile stems. These spores give rise to a male or female microscopic green prothallus, according to the sex of the spore. The fertilized female prothallus gives rise to an adult equiseto. Its reproduction out of its natural environment is difficult, however if provided with favorable conditions, it can improve the reproductive yield with a maximal reproductive capacity. This plant has two types of stems. At the end of winter, appear the first stem, simple, without branching with 20 to 30 small leaves bound at the nudes and end in a sporangium of 4 to 8 cm by 1 to 2 cm high. After ripening that takes place in springtime, these stems die out and sprout new ones but are highly branched that do not produce sporangia. The latter ones are the ones used in folkloric medicine. If they are not harvested, they will die next winter.
General information on conservation and post harvest of medicinal plants can be had from the book by Vogel and Berti, 2003.
Technology for producing only plant extracts. Chilean Company Puelche produces and distributes the drug.
Indigenous populations of Central and South America use this plant as a diuretic and to stop uterine haemorrhages. Externally it is used to cure wounds. In Chile, the infusion is used as diuretic, homeostatic, mineral supplement and for skin infections.
Biological tests with total ethanolic extract (50%) of E. bogotense, have shown tumoral activity on rats given intraperitoneally in leukemia P-388. The diuretic activity is due to glycoside flavones and to phenylpropanoids glucosides.
In general the species of the Equisetum are characterized by having particular types of alkaloids, nicotine, equisetonine, palustrin and 3-metoxipiridine. Horsetail herbs are rich in minerals (15-20% de ashes), principally in Silica dioxide (5-10% of dry weight), depending upon the species. The stem contain 5-8% of sílice (SiO2) or organic compounds of silica. The silica is concentrated in depositions under the epidermis of the stem. Chemical studies of this species had led to a number of flavonoids (Montes and Wilkomirsky, 2004). Present 46% of Salicylic Acid, adding silicates and saponine (Montes and Wilkomirsky, 1985).
Adulteration is frequent, usually done using other Equisetum species such as E. palustre.
Authentication: Macro and microscopically examination of the epidermal protuberances and TLC identification test assessed on the flavonoid profile are used in order to distinguish between E. arvense, palustre and bogotense).
Adulteration with other Equisetum species such as E. palustre is common. Adulteration with E. giganteum (presence of palustridin), an alkaloid toxic in other species of European Equiseta.
Not determined but, must be used carefully under diuretic medication. It should be carefully used in people with heart or kidney problems (Grainger, 1994).
None known
Internal use: average daily dose, 6g drug; preparation correspondingly
External use: for dressings, 10 g drug to 1 litre water (Grainger, 1994)
E. bogotense 100-300 mg
In flow, but Decree 286 will regulates crude drug otherwise requires ISP-registration under a homeopathic mode.