Horse/mares tail (Equisetum arvense) Hair oil & rinse
Horsetail or marestail (Equisetum arvense) is a plant that pre-dates the dinosaurs. Known to most gardeners as impossible to get rid of, those deep roots that keep it going are what makes it such an invaluable herbal remedy. Full of minerals and anti-inflammatories, horsetail has been used internally for thousands of years to treat anything from kidney problems to tuberculousis.
Horsetail contains silica, collegen and calcium, all components that promote hair growth and health.
We use it here two ways - First up in an apple cider vinegar hair rinse. Apple Cider Vinegar is great for using as an alternative to shampoo. You simply mix 2-3 tablespoons with about 500ml of water and rinse it through your hair. When you infuse the vinegar with the horsetail, you are getting the benefits of the silica in the horsetail and the vinegar.
We also make a hair or beard oil. It is the same principle, simply infuse your oil with your herbs and then after 4 or so weeks, strain and use as you would any other hair oil.
This recipe is part of our Botanical Soapmaking Course - our full guide to using foraged and farmed botanicals in your soap making.
Horsetail Hair Rinse
Ingredients
- A large, clean jar
- A cup of horsetail (fresh or dried)
- Enough apple cider vinegar to cover the plant matter
Method
- Chop your horsetail and place in a clean jar.
- Fill your jar with the vinegar and ensure there is at least 1 inch of vinegar covering the herb.
- Weigh down with a fermentation weight or shake your jar daily to ensure there is no spoilage.
- Let infuse for 3-4 weeks.
- Strain.
- To use, mix 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar with about 500ml of water and rinse it through your hair after shampooing and conditioning. Rinse out with water
