Horsetail herbs in bulk are also known as horse willow, toadpipe, bottle brush, Corn Horsetail, Dutch rushes, Quyroughi, Atkuyrugu, and Shavegrass. It is a perennial flowerless plant whose value is found in the hollow, jointed stems. First recommended by the Roman physician Galen, several followed his advice to treat for kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis. The Chinese still use it to cool a fever and as a remedy for eye inflammations such as conjunctivitis and corneal disorders. They also use it to treat dysentery, flu, swellings, and hemorrhoids. The fresh or dried green stems of horsetail are collected in summer.

The benefits of horsetail constitutes one of the most diuretic species in all the plants. In other words it possesses a great capacity to eliminate water from the body. This is due to the chemical ingredient equisetonin. Horsetail can actually increase unination up to 30%. This fact means it is often used in products for weight loss. Equisetonin and potassium are especially beneficial for this but calcium, magnesium, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid also contribute to this ability.

Horsetail also has the power to help knock out bacterial and inflammatory diseases of the lower urinary tract and flush out kidney and bladder stones. Horsetail also speeds up slowly healing wounds and repairs bony tissues because of the quantity of silica in the plant. Silica helps to fix calcium, so that the body can store more quantity of this mineral and it is able to form stronger bones or tendons. This means horsetail is a good herb to take when dealing with osteoporosis.

Because of its mineral content horsetail is recommended for anemia and general debility. It has also been used to treat lung damage such as tuberculosis or emphysema. Horsetail is an excellent herbal source of silicon, calcium, magnesium, chromium, iron, manganese, and potassium. It has been used to treat prostatitis, enuresis, urinary tract infections and muscle cramps. This herb nourishes nails, hair, skin, bones and the body’s connective tissue.

Horsetail grass is considered a specific remedy in cases of inflammation or benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Its toning and astringent action make it of value in the treatment of incontinence and bed-wetting in children. Recent research in Russia has apparently demonstrated that horsetail is effective in removing lead accumulations in the body.

It may be taken internally to stop bleeding from ulcers or diminish heavy menstrual bleeding. It may also be used as a gargle and mouth rinse for sore throat and bleeding gums or mouth ulcers. Externally it may be applied as a compress to fractures and sprains, wounds, sores, and skin problems.

Externally use 10 grams of the powdered herb in 1 liter of water for compresses. Internally, use the powdered herb for infusions, taken orally in an average daily dose of 6 grams. If you take horsetail internally, drink plenty of water. To make horsetail tea, pour boiling water over 2 to 3 g of the herb, boil for 5 minutes, and then strain after 10 to 15 minutes. It can be consumed several times a day between meals.

Overuse of licorice with horsetail may increase potassium depletion and risk of cardiac toxicity and thiamine deficiency (especially when used in connection to excessive alcohol consumption). Some advise pregnant patients, breast-feeding patients, those with impaired heart or kidney function, with liver problems, who are taking a cardiac glycoside, and who have a history or potential of thiamine deficiency (for example, alcoholic patients) should avoid using horsetail. The plant contains equisetic acid, which is thought to be identical to aconitic acid. This substance is a heart and nerve sedative that is a poison when taken in abnormally high doses.

Fifty per cent of all men over the age of 50 either have or will have prostate gland problems. A staggering one in six men are likely to develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Though the risk can be reduced with preventative measures, the focus of this article will be on non cancer related problems in guys prostate.

The prostate is an exocrine gland (carries fluids from the body) about the shape and size of a walnut and located in front of the rectum, just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra that carries urine from the body. The fluids it secrets form part of semen and they are stored with sperm from the testicles in the seminal vesicles that are located behind the bladder. When the male reaches a sexual climax, muscles contract and cause the prostate to secrete this fluid into the urethra. From there it is expelled from the body through the penis.

The prostate also plays a role in controlling the flow of urine. Since it is wrapped around the urethra, its muscles contract, slowing the flow of urine from the body.

Non cancer related problems with the prostrate fall into one of two main categories- prostatitis, and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH.

A fourth of men having urinary problems have prostatitis. It is a condition that causes inflammation or infection of the prostate. There are four types off prostatitis.

1) Pelvic floor myalgia or Prostatodynia (PFM) may cause pain in the prostate, pelvic area, and penis and may cause problems in urinating. Inflammation is not caused nor is bacteria related to it. Non-bacterial prostatitis (NBP) on the other hand, has the same symptoms as CBP (see below), though the cause is not known.

The third type of prostatitis is call Acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) and is caused by bacterial infection. Symptoms may include malaise, frequent urination (day & night), muscular pain, lower back pain, fever, chills, pain in pelvic area with urination, inability to empty the bladder, and/or pain with ejaculation. These symptoms may appear suddenly and may be very severe. Chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) is also caused by bacteria, and the symptoms are similar to ABP, but are not usually as severe or as sudden.

2) Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or simply BPH is another major prostrate problem. As men age, the prostate enlarges because of tissue change. Men over the age of 40 may begin to experience these symptoms without even realizing they are prostate related. The cause of BPH is not known, although it seems to be linked to hormonal imbalance, heredity, or high fat diets.

Some men with BPH experience no symptoms. If, however, the enlarged prostate presses on the urethra, symptoms will result. These are: weak stream, inability to delay urination, more frequent urination (day & night), painful or bloody urination not emptying the bladder completely, difficulty stopping and starting, and incontinence (no control).

Though these problems range from annoying to serious, they do not mean a person has cancer. Men over 50 need to have a yearly checkup to be sure prostate cancer has not developed. Before going for this test, make an itemized list of any urinary problems you have had and how severe they are. This will help the doctor in diagnosing the problem. Here’s some good news; most of the above symptoms can be reduced or eliminated medically.

So be aware of the potential problems, but act so you can avoid them and experience male prostate health.

It is a well known fact that individuals who eat fruits high in fibers will live well lives. The profit of high fiber fruits as part of a regular prostate cancer diet are well known, specifically to the digestive system. And a well “oiled” digestive system is extremely beneficial to the correct functioning of the prostrate gland. Why should that be?

The prostrate gland is a miniature organ in our body that has to bear a demanding workload all through our lives. It is tough in many ways and fragile in others. If our system begins to malfunction, even a tad, the prostrate gland will be affected sooner than others. If our digestive system begins to clog up due to our failure to absorb some of the more harmful foods we expose our digestive systems to, then the prostrate gland will suffer. It may even suffer enough so that a change in its DNA will generate a reaction leading to the formation of cancerous cells within. Read more on prostate cancer info here.

A frequent consumption of high fiber fruits will counteract this system block and will be a typical usefulin keeping our systems running competently. In common terms, people who cultivate produce need to pass on an advertisement to persuade people to buy what they have grown. What better message can you pass on than the healthy benefits as well as the nutritious benefits of your crops? That is why you will continuously see the advertisements of such fruits as apricots, strawberries, apples, kiwi, papaya, grape fruit, cantaloupe and avocadoes commending their advantages, either on the television, in the fliers and at the sales counter.

All of the fruits that contain high fibers have the plus of being very yummy and this helps a lot in prostate cancer treatment options. Make a habit of having fresh fruits available in the home, and try to stop basing your diet around junk foods and fast foods. These foods are poisonous to your system, they are complex to break down and will make you overweight, slow and unappealing. Garden fresh fruits, on the other hand, keep the system running like a Swiss watch. You will look and feel terrific and be much healthier inside an out by basing your diet around juicy high fiber fruits.

From the age of around 45 years, a majority of men begin to experience changes in their urination patterns. In varying degrees, the experience can be a subtle change or can become a very distressing painful and in some cases embarrassing experience. This is the age at which the prostate gland begins to change and may swell around the urethra and constrict the flow of urine. This may mean an increase in the urge to urinate more frequently as the restriction inhibits emptying of the bladder. In extreme cases the restriction may be extreme and result in painful slow elimination. Kidney problems may follow.

Most pharmaceutical products have limited if any effect and so, more and more men are turning to herbal alternatives with some promising results. Most recent prostate studies show that herbal remedies are a more effective treatment method than drugs.

The most common herbs used successfully are;
1. Saw Palmetto,
2. Stinging Nettle,
3. Rye Pollen,
4. Pygeum, and
5. Lycopene.

Lycopene is one of the more promising recommended substances. It is a component of tomato and is only present in cooked tomato products. European diets where tomatoes are widely used have been associated with low incidence of prostate enlargement.

Erectile dysfunctions and painful ejaculations are associated with drug based treatments and so men are naturally very wary of this. Herbs on the other hand have few if any harmful effects. Herbs are also more affordable.

Combine Herbs For More Effective Treatment
 
Saw Palmetto Berry, stinging nettle and Pygeum Africanum, are often used in combination to produce a more potent and effective treatment for prostate problems.

The Saw Palmetto berry contains both serona repens and serrulata. Together these make a powerful combination, making it no surprise that this berry has been in use for hundreds of years. It is also an aphrodisiac which increases the production of sperm and increases sexual prowess.

On the other hand Stinging nettle has been recorded as an effective treatment of arthritis but also prostate disease.
The African Plum or Pygeum is another popular herb used to treat the prostate.

Whilst all these are effective in the treatment of prostate conditions, it is imperative to visit your doctor at least six monthly to check for changes in the size of the prostate. It is a case of early intervention as well as prevention may win the day.