Field horsetail, an essential natural extract in nutricosmetics

Presentation of field horsetail: origin, botanical identification, and usage history

Field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a perennial plant, known for its segmented stems and richness in silica. 

Used since Antiquity for its remineralizing properties, it is now established as a key plant extract in nutricosmetics. Native to the moist soils of Europe and Asia, it belongs to the Equisetaceae, one of the oldest plant families. 

The Greeks and Romans already valued it for its uses related to natural beauty and vitality.

🌱 Botanical identity sheet:

• Family: Equisetaceae

• Used parts: sterile stems, rich in silica

• Habitat: wetlands, riverbanks, sandy soils

• Harvest period: in spring and summer

A millenary and medicinal plant

Used since Antiquity, field horsetail was already valued by:

• Ancient Greeks, who recommended it to strengthen bones and hair

• The Romans, who incorporated it into ointments to beautify the skin

• Medieval medicinal traditions, which considered it a purifying and diuretic remedy

It was also nicknamed "rat's tail" or "horse's tail" due to its characteristic shape, and was formerly used to polish metal or wood, thanks to its slightly abrasive texture linked to its high silica content.

Nowadays, field horsetail is widely used in nutricosmetics and is included in many dietary supplements aimed at improving skin appearance, hair health, and overall well-being. 

Thanks to its high content of easily absorbable plant silica, essential minerals like calcium, potassium, and manganese, as well as antioxidants, it is a choice ingredient to promote overall and natural beauty.

A natural concentrate of silica for strong and shiny hair

Field horsetail is rich in plant silica, an essential element for keratin production, the protein responsible for hair structure.

Why is this important?
Keratin is essential to maintain strength, elasticity, and shine of hair.

✅ Recognized hair benefits:

• Strengthens fragile or thinning hair

• Promotes growth and limits seasonal hair loss

• Provides natural shine and flexibility

• Protects hair against external aggressions (pollution, UV, oxidative stress)

Ideal as a treatment for dull, brittle, or lifeless hair.

Why is naturally occurring silica so sought after to strengthen hair structure?

Naturally absorbable, silica stimulates the synthesis of collagen and keratin, strengthening the density and quality of hair. This property makes it a key ingredient for fragile or thinning hair.

An ally for skin firmness and youthfulness

Field horsetail promotes collagen production, an essential protein for skin structure. Thanks to this, it helps maintain skin firmness and prevent sagging.

✅ Main skin benefits:

• Improves skin firmness and elasticity

• Helps smooth fine lines and signs of fatigue

• Supports deep hydration thanks to better tissue density

A valuable ingredient in anti-aging formulas or to restore skin tone after weight loss or a period of fatigue.

How does it help preserve skin elasticity and firmness?

Field horsetail promotes collagen synthesis, a key protein for skin tone and suppleness. It helps preserve its natural elasticity and supports the prevention of skin sagging.

A global remineralizing action

Besides silica, field horsetail contains calcium, magnesium, potassium and other trace elements essential for the body's balance.

✅ Remineralizing effects:

• Strengthens bones and cartilage

• Supports joint flexibility

• Speeds up muscle recovery after exertion

• Contributes to bone vitality post-menopause or after childbirth

A wellness ally for periods of stress, chronic fatigue, or bone fragility.

How does it contribute to the remineralization of the body and what benefits does this bring for overall well-being?

The silica and minerals in field horsetail promote cell renewal and maintain mineral balance, enhancing overall vitality and supporting skin radiance.

A natural source of vitality

Thanks to its rich and balanced composition, field horsetail also acts on general vitality.

✅ Benefits for overall well-being:

• Contributes to cell renewal

• Promotes a radiant and luminous complexion

• Supports the body's natural defenses

• Helps fight against temporary fatigue states

Its remineralizing and revitalizing profile makes it ideal for seasonal beauty-health routines.

Available forms: capsules, powder, infusions

Field horsetail is available in several pharmaceutical forms suited to different goals and usage preferences:

✅ Dried horsetail infusions

• Traditional and gentle approach, for wellness ritual enthusiasts

• Gently acts on the kidneys and elimination (draining effect)

• Useful during seasonal changes to support natural drainage

The choice of form will depend on the user's profile: targeted need, foundational action, or daily wellness routine.

Synergies with other plant actives for enhanced effectiveness

The effectiveness of field horsetail is amplified when combined with other targeted active ingredients:

For the hair:

• Biotin + Zinc: synergistic action on keratin and regrowth
• Stinging nettle: complementary due to its richness in iron and its purifying function for the scalp

• MSM (organic sulfur): improves keratin production and mineral transport to the bulb

For the skin:

• Wild pansy: purifying and soothing effect on blemished skin

• Marine collagen + Vitamin C: boosts collagen synthesis and improves firmness

• Hyaluronic acid: provides hydration inside, in synergy with silica for density

For overall well-being:

• Spirulina or chlorella: detox effect + deep remineralization

• Burdock: supports the liver and toxin elimination

• Maca or Ginseng: to revitalize vital energy and strengthen the body

D-LAB formulas are designed so that the ingredients work in synergy, guaranteeing visible and lasting results.

What are the main benefits in nutricosmetic formulas dedicated to hair and skin beauty?

Field horsetail has become an essential component of high-end nutricosmetic supplements, thanks to its high content of easily assimilable plant silica. It helps preserve, strengthen, and reveal natural beauty on different levels.

✅ Its main benefits in hair and skin formulas:

• Strengthens hair structure by stimulating keratin production

• Maintains skin elasticity and density thanks to collagen stimulation

• Promotes tissue regeneration after hair loss or skin laxity

• Works in synergy with other minerals and vitamins for deep action

It is this versatility that makes it essential in D-LAB formulas, especially for targeted anti-hair loss, hair density, or firm skin treatments.

Its role in preventing skin aging

Skin aging is a natural cellular process, accelerated by oxidation, collagen loss, and tissue dehydration. The silica contained in field horsetail plays a central role in preserving youthful skin.

Anti-aging effects of horsetail:

• Stimulates collagen and elastin production

• Maintains connective tissue cohesion

• Protects against oxidative stress by improving cellular resistance

• Contributes to better skin healing and regeneration

Regularly used in nutricosmetics for prevention, field horsetail acts as a protective barrier against premature aging, especially during phases of stress, sun exposure, or nutrient deficiency.

Responsible sourcing for optimal effectiveness

At D-LAB, we use field horsetail from French crops, harvested in harmony with nature and environmental cycles.

Quality & naturalness commitment:

• Reasoned manual harvesting

• No pesticides or solvents

• Gentle drying to preserve active ingredients

• Complete traceability from the field to the capsule

This requirement guarantees an optimal content of active silica and is part of our commitment to clean, green, and highly effective nutricosmetics.

Duration of intake and ideal timing

Effective supplementation relies on regularity and synergies. Here are the recommendations from an expert perspective:

Optimal treatment duration:

• 3 consecutive months, the time needed to allow a complete cellular renewal and act on hair growth, skin firmness, or bone density.

Ideal time to take:

• In the morning on an empty stomach to promote absorption and remineralizing effect

• In seasonal cure (spring or autumn) to revitalize the body

Combination with diet:

• Optimize the remineralizing effect with a diet rich in vitamin C, which increases silica absorption

• Avoid excessive consumption of coffee or acidifying foods that hinder mineral absorption

Usage precautions

Although natural, field horsetail should be used sensibly:

Precautions to follow:

• Do not use in case of severe kidney problems without medical advice (diuretic effect)

• Caution when taking mineral supplements simultaneously (risk of overload)

• Avoid prolonged treatments beyond 3 months without a break (one month break recommended)

Potential interactions with mineral-based supplements

Since field horsetail is very rich in minerals, it can interact with other remineralizing supplements (zinc, calcium, magnesium).

Expert recommendations:

• Do not stack several remineralizing supplements without supervision

• Favor a complete and synergistic formulation (like D-LAB formulas) rather than a combination of products

• Seek advice from a health professional in case of doubt or ongoing treatment

Why prolonged use requires professional supervision

Silica, although beneficial, can in excess accumulate in the body, especially if kidney function is impaired or doses are poorly adjusted.

Good usage practices:

• Follow the recommended dosages

• Favor intermittent cures

• Ensure that formulas are well balanced and bioavailable

🌿 At D-LAB, each formula is designed to respect physiological balance and maximize effectiveness without overload or side effects.

For centuries, field horsetail has been appreciated by those seeking to harmonize beauty and well-being. A natural source of silica, this ancient plant offers its virtues through a plant extract that gently but effectively strengthens hair, skin, and vitality.

Incorporated into advanced nutricosmetic supplements such as those offered by D-LAB, field horsetail provides all its benefits: beyond improving appearance, it works deeply to strengthen the body, promotes cellular repair, offers overall support, and helps the body navigate changes gently.

D-LAB is committed to a holistic approach to beauty, attentive to both our body and the planet, through natural, effective, and ethical programs. By prioritizing field horsetail cultivated in France and carefully harvested, we choose innovative, sustainable, and future-oriented cosmetics.

✨ True beauty is born where science meets nature, and where personal well-being transforms into a ritual that changes the inside of oneself.

Studies and scientific references

• Silicon and bone health, Jugdaohsingh R., Nutrition Bulletin, 2007.
• Therapeutic applications of Equisetum arvense L., Review Article, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2013.
• Mineral composition of Equisetum arvense, Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 2009.
• Phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Equisetum arvense L., Fitoterapia, 2015.
• Cosmetic potential of silicon: Trends in nutricosmetics, International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018.