Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Chili Pepper vs Field Horsetail
A side-by-side comparison of two medicinal plants — every documented constituent, action, use, safety note and cited source, assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana database.
At a glance
Chili Pepper and Field Horsetail: they share 6 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, back pain, infection (general), …); 2 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Chili Pepper | Field Horsetail | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 6/10 | 5/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Back pain | 6/10 | 5/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Inflammation (general) | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Skin irritation | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Wounds | 1/10 | 5/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
Evidence scores (1–10) are computed from the tier of each cited source. “Comparable” means the two scores are within one point. Follow a score to its detailed sources.
Key Constituents
The pungent alkaloid-like compounds responsible for the fruit's heat and its counterirritant/analgesic action via TRPV1 receptor desensitisation.
Give ripe red fruit its colour and contribute antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory flavonoids identified in leaf and fruit extracts.
Field horsetail is exceptionally rich in silica, concentrated in the stem, and is a signature source of this mineral in Western herbal medicine.
Antioxidant flavonoids contributing to the plant's anti-inflammatory activity.
An enzyme that degrades vitamin B1 (thiamine); the basis of the caution against prolonged or excessive use.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-rheumatic action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
inferred from diuretic action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Capsaicin causes intense burning sensation; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. High oral doses can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and diarrhoea. Topical preparations may cause skin irritation and should be used diluted. Not recommended for individuals with active peptic ulcers. Caution with anticoagulants — capsaicin may enhance bleeding risk. During pregnancy, culinary amounts are considered safe, but high-dose supplements should be avoided. Repeated topical application leads to desensitisation (TRPV1 depletion), which is the basis for its analgesic use. Children under 2 should not be given capsaicin-containing topical products (Basu and Bhattacharyya, 2023).
Duke (2002) rates cayenne/chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) highly for its clinically documented analgesic, counterirritant, and rubefacient activities. Commission E approves topical capsaicin preparations for muscle pain, arthritis, and neuralgia (score 2). The active compound capsaicin depletes substance P in sensory neurons upon repeated application, reducing pain signals. Capsaicin cream (0.025–0.075%) is a validated treatment for post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and osteoarthritis pain. Internal use can irritate mucous membranes; external use requires avoiding contact with eyes and mucous membranes (Duke, 2002).
Field horsetail contains thiaminase, an enzyme that degrades thiamine (vitamin B1); prolonged or excessive use can cause thiamine deficiency — symptoms include neurological problems and weight loss. This risk is greatest with repeated large doses or prolonged use. The plant also contains nicotine at low levels and silica compounds. Not recommended for children or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. People with impaired kidney function should avoid use, as diuretic effects may worsen fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Caution with concurrent diuretic medications. The EMA herbal monograph recognises traditional use at appropriate short-term doses in adults only (European Medicines Agency, 2016; Sandhu et al., 2010).
Duke (2002) rates horsetail as + (moderate caution) and notes clinical evidence (score 2) for its diuretic and wound-healing (vulnerary) activities, consistent with Commission E approval. High silica content may strengthen connective tissue, hair, and nails. Dose: 6 g dried herb daily as tea or in capsules. Horsetail contains thiaminase (breaks down vitamin B1) and an unidentified neurotoxin — it should not be taken long-term or in large quantities. Not for use in patients with edema due to cardiac or renal insufficiency, and avoid in children under 12 (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
Bushy annual or short-lived perennial herb (grown as an annual in temperate climates) with glossy, oval to lance-shaped leaves. Small, star-shaped, white to greenish flowers give way to the characteristic fleshy, hollow fruit (a berry), which ripens from green through yellow to red and varies enormously in size, shape and pungency between cultivars.[1]
Perennial, spore-bearing (non-flowering) plant with two distinct stem types arising from a deep, black, jointed rhizome. In early spring, unbranched, pale brownish fertile stems appear first, each topped with a spore-bearing cone, and die back once spores are shed; these are followed by the familiar green, hollow, jointed, ridged sterile stems bearing whorls of thin, needle-like branches at each node, giving a bottlebrush appearance.
Habitat
Native to Central and South America; cultivated worldwide in warm and temperate climates as a food and medicinal crop, thriving in full sun on well-drained soil.[1]
Grows in damp grassland, waste ground, riverbanks, roadsides and disturbed soil on a wide range of soils; native and common across the temperate Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America).
Harvesting
Fruit is picked at the desired stage of ripeness (green for milder use, fully red for maximum capsaicin and carotenoid content) through summer and autumn; seeds are separated and dried from fully ripe fruit.
The green sterile stems are cut in summer, at their most vigorous, and dried quickly in a warm, shaded, airy place; careful identification against the more toxic marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre), which grows in similar damp ground, is essential before wild-harvesting.
Traditional Uses
Chili pepper fruit has a long history across the Americas and, after global spread, in many other traditional medicine systems as a warming digestive stimulant and topical counterirritant/analgesic for muscle and joint pain, building on capsaicin's now well-documented ability to desensitise pain-sensing nerve fibres with repeated application.[1]
Field horsetail has a long European folk history as a diuretic remedy for urinary gravel and mild fluid retention, as an astringent, anti-inflammatory and vulnerary herb for wounds and connective-tissue support, and, owing to its very high silica content, as a traditional tonic for hair, nails and skin.[11]
Preparations
Standardised capsaicin cream or patch applied to the affected area for muscle, joint or nerve pain; repeated application depletes substance P and reduces pain signalling.
Dried sterile stem simmered or infused in hot water as a traditional diuretic and connective-tissue-support tea.
Dosage
The EU herbal monograph on Capsici fructus gives semi-solid dosage forms corresponding to 40-53 mg capsaicinoids per 100 g, applied as a thin layer to the affected area 2-4 times daily, in adults and elderly. For medicated plasters, a maximum of 1 plaster per day applied for at least 4 and up to 12 hours, with at least 12 hours before a new plaster is applied to the same area. Not recommended under 18 years. Expect an initial burning sensation that lessens with repeated use. Note the monograph covers hot chilli fruit (C. annuum var. minimum and small-fruited C. frutescens), not sweet peppers. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
The EU herbal monograph gives a single dose of 1-4 g of the comminuted herb in 150 mL of boiling water as an infusion or decoction (5-15 minutes), 3-4 times daily, for a daily dose of 3-12 g, in adolescents, adults and elderly; traditionally used over a period of 2 to 4 weeks. For cutaneous use, 10 g in 1 L of water as a decoction for impregnated dressings and irrigation. Not recommended under 12 years. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
References & Sources
- Cho, S.Y., Kim, H.W., Lee, M.K., Kim, H.J., Kim, J.B., Choe, J.S., Lee, Y.M. and Jang, H.H (2020) 'Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in relation to the flavonoids composition of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)', Antioxidants, 9(10), pp. 986. doi:10.3390/antiox9100986 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9100986 - Khan, F.A., Mahmood, T., Ali, M., Saeed, A. and Maalik, A (2014) 'Pharmacological importance of an ethnobotanical plant: Capsicum annuum L', Natural Product Research, 28(16), pp. 1267-1274. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.895723 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2014.895723 - Srinivasan, K (2016) 'Biological activities of red pepper (Capsicum annuum) and its pungent principle capsaicin: a review', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 56(9), pp. 1488-1500. doi:10.1080/10408398.2013.772090 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2013.772090 - Hernandez-Perez, T., Gomez-Garcia, M.D.R., Valverde, M.E. and Paredes-Lopez, O (2020) 'Capsicum annuum (hot pepper): an ancient Latin-American crop with outstanding bioactive compounds and nutraceutical potential. A review', Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 19(6), pp. 2972-2993. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12634 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12634 - Sanati, S., Razavi, B.M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2018) 'A review of the effects of Capsicum annuum L. and its constituent, capsaicin, in metabolic syndrome', Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 21(5), pp. 439-448. doi:10.22038/IJBMS.2018.25200.6238 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.22038/IJBMS.2018.25200.6238 - Mandal, S.K., Rath, S.K., Logesh, R., Mishra, S.K., Devkota, H.P. and Das, N (2023) 'Capsicum annuum L. and its bioactive constituents: a critical review of a traditional culinary spice in terms of its modern pharmacological potentials with toxicological issues', Phytotherapy Research, 37(3), pp. 965-1002. doi:10.1002/ptr.7660 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7660 - Grojja, Y., Hajlaoui, H., Luca, S.V., Abidi, J., Skalicka-Wozniak, K., Zouari, S. and Bouaziz, M (2023) 'Untargeted phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of a Tunisian Capsicum annuum cultivar', Molecules, 28(17), pp. 6346. doi:10.3390/molecules28176346 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28176346 - Hernandez-Ortega, M., Ortiz-Moreno, A., Hernandez-Navarro, M.D., Chamorro-Cevallos, G., Dorantes-Alvarez, L. and Necoechea-Mondragon, H (2012) 'Antioxidant, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory effects of carotenoids extracted from dried pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)', Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, 2012, pp. 524019. doi:10.1155/2012/524019 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/524019 - Maji, A.K. and Banerji, P (2016) 'Phytochemistry and gastrointestinal benefits of the medicinal spice, Capsicum annuum L. (Chilli): a review', Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 13(2), pp. 97-122. doi:10.1515/jcim-2015-0037 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1515/jcim-2015-0037 - Marrelli, M., Menichini, F. and Conforti, F (2016) 'Hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of hot pepper flower (Capsicum annuum L.)', Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 71(3), pp. 301-306. doi:10.1007/s11130-016-0560-7 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11130-016-0560-7 - Song, C., Yu, C., Zhu, X., Luo, X., Zhang, Y., Meng, L., Luo, Y., Chang, H., Qin, C. and Liu, Y (2020) 'A new capsaicin-containing phenolic glycoside from Capsicum annuum L', Natural Product Research, 36(2), pp. 546-552. doi:10.1080/14786419.2020.1789983 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2020.1789983 - European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Capsicum annuum L. var. minimum (Miller) Heiser and small fruited varieties of Capsicum frutescens L., fructus'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-capsicum-annuum-l-var-minimum-miller-heiser-and-small-fruited-varieties-capsicum-frutescens-l-fructus_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-capsicum-annuum-l-var-minimum-miller-heiser-and-small-fruited-varieties-capsicum-frutescens-l-fructus_en.pdf - Anand, P. and Bley, K (2011) 'Topical capsaicin for pain management: therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action of the new high-concentration capsaicin 8% patch', 107(4), pp. 490--502. doi:10.1093/bja/aer260 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aer260 - Basu, S. and Bhattacharyya, S (2023) 'Capsicum and capsaicin: a comprehensive review of chemistry, pharmacology, and therapeutic applications', 22(5), pp. 1413--1442. doi:10.1007/s11101-023-09875-8 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-023-09875-8 - Derry, S., Rice, A.S., Cole, P., Tan, T. and Moore, R.A (2017) 'Topical capsaicin (high concentration) for chronic neuropathic pain in adults'. doi:10.1002/http://14651858.CD007393.pub4 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/http://14651858.CD007393.pub4 - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Capsicum annuum L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:841033-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:841033-1 - Molina-Torres, J., García-Chávez, A. and Ramírez-Chávez, E (1999) 'Antimicrobial properties of alkamides present in flavouring plants traditionally used in Mesoamerica', 64(3), pp. 241--248. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00131-4 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(98)00131-4 - Lv, J., Qi, L., Yu, C. et al (2015) 'Consumption of spicy foods and total and cause specific mortality: population based cohort study'. doi:10.1136/bmj.h3942 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h3942 - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
- Hegedus, C., Muresan, M., Badale, A., Bombicz, M. and others (2020) 'SIRT1 Activation by Equisetum arvense L. (Horsetail) Modulates Insulin Sensitivity in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats', Molecules, 25(11), pp. 2541. doi:10.3390/molecules25112541 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25112541 - Dragos, D., Gilca, M., Gaman, L., Vlad, A., Iosif, L. et al (2017) 'Phytomedicine in Joint Disorders', Nutrients, 9(1), pp. 70. doi:10.3390/nu9010070 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9010070 - Grundemann, C., Lengen, K., Sauer, B., Garcia-Kaufer, M. and others (2014) 'Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) modulates the function of inflammatory immunocompetent cells', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 14, pp. 283. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-14-283 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-283 - Wang, L., Zhang, L., Zheng, G. and Luo, H (2021) 'Equisetum arvense L aqueous extract: a novel chemotherapeutic supplement for treatment of human colon carcinoma', Archives of Medical Science, 19(5), pp. 1472-1478. doi:10.5114/aoms/138146 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.5114/aoms/138146 - Jeong, S.Y., Yu, H.S., Ra, M.J., Jung, S.M. and others (2023) 'Phytochemical Investigation of Equisetum arvense and Evaluation of Their Anti-Inflammatory Potential in TNFalpha/INFgamma-Stimulated Keratinocytes', Pharmaceuticals, 16(10), pp. 1478. doi:10.3390/ph16101478 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16101478 - Klncalp, S., Ekiz, F., Basar, O., Coban, S. and others (2012) 'Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail)-induced liver injury', European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 24(2), pp. 213-214. doi:10.1097/MEG.0b013e32834e7ff0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0b013e32834e7ff0 - Maeda, H., Miyamoto, K. and Sano, T (1997) 'Occurrence of dermatitis in rats fed a cholesterol diet containing field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.)', Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, 43(5), pp. 553-563. doi:10.3177/jnsv.43.553 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3177/jnsv.43.553 - Saslis-Lagoudakis, C.H., Bruun-Lund, S., Iwanycki, N.E., Seberg, O. and others (2015) 'Identification of common horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.; Equisetaceae) using Thin Layer Chromatography versus DNA barcoding', Scientific Reports, 5, pp. 11942. doi:10.1038/srep11942 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1038/srep11942 - Mimica-Dukic, N., Simin, N., Cvejic, J., Jovin, E. and others (2008) 'Phenolic compounds in field horsetail (Equisetum arvense L.) as natural antioxidants', Molecules, 13(7), pp. 1455-1464. doi:10.3390/molecules13071455 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules13071455 - Tufarelli, V., Baghban-Kanani, P., Azimi-Youvalari, S., Hosseintabar-Ghasemabad, B. and others (2021) 'Effects of Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Spirulina (Spirulina platensis) Dietary Supplementation on Laying Hens Productivity and Oxidative Status', Animals, 11(2), pp. 335. doi:10.3390/ani11020335 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11020335 - Carneiro, D.M., Marques, L.C., Velasques, L.O. et al (2016) 'Randomized, double-blind clinical trial to assess the acute diuretic effect of Equisetum arvense (Field Horsetail) in healthy volunteers'. doi:10.1155/2014/760683 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/760683 - European Medicines Agency (2016) 'European Union herbal monograph on Equisetum arvense L., herba'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-equisetum-arvense-l-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-equisetum-arvense-l-herba_en.pdf - http://LatvijasDaba.lv (n.d.) 'tīruma kosa – Equisetum arvense L'. Available at: http://LatvijasDaba.lv Traditional / reference
http://LatvijasDaba.lv - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Equisetum arvense L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:17003330-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:17003330-1 - Sandhu, N.S., Kaur, S. and Chopra, D (2010) 'Equisetum arvense: pharmacology and phytochemistry — a review', 3(3), pp. 146--150. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Equisetum%20arvense%3A%20pharmacology%20and%20phytochemistry%20%E2%80%94%20a%20review - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - NatureSpot 'Marsh Horsetail - Equisetum palustre'. Available at: https://www.naturespot.org/species/marsh-horsetail Traditional / reference
https://www.naturespot.org/species/marsh-horsetail - Muller, J. and Puttich, P.M. and Beuerle, T (2020) 'Variation of the Main Alkaloid Content in Equisetum palustre L. in the Light of Its Ontogeny', Toxins, 12(11), pp. 710. doi:10.3390/toxins12110710 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins12110710 - Ibi, A. and Du, M. and Beuerle, T. and Melchert, D. and Solnier, J. and Chang, C (2022) 'A Multi-Pronged Technique for Identifying Equisetum palustre and Equisetum arvense - Combining HPTLC, HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and Optimized DNA Barcoding Techniques', Plants, 11(19), pp. 2562. doi:10.3390/plants11192562 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192562
Generated automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database and its cited sources. For educational purposes only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using medicinal plants.