Could some one please list or point me in the direction of instructions on
making equisetum tea. My understanding is that there are two types of
equisetum, can you use either?
There are many species -- E. arvense or field horsetail is the one indicated. Other species occur, wood horsetail (E. sylvaticum) or giant horsetail (E. telmateia), for example. Related E. pratense is found in New England, upper Midwest, Canada, Alaska.
We have always said to use plants with the feathery but non-spore bearing fronds (dimorphic). Easy to distinguish from the many other species that have spore cones and leaves occurring together (monomorphic). See the pictures at www.oregonbd.org Intro class #4. Best to harvest in late spring,before summer solstice. Arvense and pratense are both common North American species and there are also frequent natural hybrids. We have assumed these are basically the same as E arvense as long as the fronds do not have the spore cases on them. Don't use species with spore cones on the end of the same stalk as the leaves and you should be ok.
This is one remedy that needs no preparation. Boil the tea well for 20 minutes or so to make sure the good stuff dissolves. You can use fresh or let it ferment -- Kolisko recommended the fermented tea. Dilute about 1:10 to use.
David Robison
