Omnia SanaPlant Comparison
Field Horsetail vs Anise
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
Field Horsetail and Anise: they share 7 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, back pain, cancer (anticancer research), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Field Horsetail | Anise | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Back pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 2/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Wounds | 5/10 | 2/10 | 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
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.
Trans-anethole typically makes up the great majority of the volatile oil and gives anise its characteristic liquorice aroma and much of its digestive and antimicrobial activity.
The fruit's lipid fraction.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
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
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from anticancer action
inferred from analgesic action
inferred from digestive action
inferred from antimicrobial action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
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).
Generally safe when consumed in food amounts. Doses up to 20g daily considered safe for adults. May cause allergic reactions in some people. Caution advised during pregnancy and breastfeeding - stick to food amounts. Anethole can be toxic at high concentrations, particularly to the nervous system. Not enough safety data for medicinal use in children.
Duke (2002) provides clinical evidence (score 2) for anise as an antibacterial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, and expectorant. It has demonstrated estrogenic activity and is used as a clinically supported lactagogue to promote milk production. Commission E and WHO have both approved its use for catarrh and gastrointestinal spasms. Typical dosages are 0.5–1 g crushed seed three times per day in tea, or 0.05–0.2 ml of the fruit essential oil (Duke, 2002).
External Ids
Botanical Description
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.
Annual herb (Apiaceae), 30-60 cm tall, with an erect, downy stem. Lower leaves are rounded and toothed or shallowly lobed, while upper leaves are finely feathery and pinnately divided. Small white flowers are borne in compound umbels, followed by small, ridged, downy fruit ('aniseed') with a strong, sweet, liquorice scent.
Habitat
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).
Native to the eastern Mediterranean and south-west Asia, widely cultivated as a spice and medicinal crop in warm-temperate regions worldwide, needing a long, warm growing season and well-drained soil.
Harvesting
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.
Fruit ('seed') is harvested in late summer once the umbels have dried and turned brown, then threshed and dried further.
Traditional Uses
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]
Anise has a long Mediterranean and Middle Eastern tradition as a carminative digestive remedy for bloating and indigestion, an expectorant for coughs and catarrh, and a traditional galactagogue (milk-promoting) herb for nursing mothers. Commission E and WHO both approve its traditional use for catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal spasms.[11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
Preparations
Dried sterile stem simmered or infused in hot water as a traditional diuretic and connective-tissue-support tea.
Dosage
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.
Duke (2002): about 0.5-1 g crushed seed three times daily in tea, or 0.05-0.2 mL of the fruit essential oil. Food amounts up to about 20 g/day are generally considered safe for adults. Avoid medicinal doses in pregnancy and in children given limited safety data. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
References & Sources
- 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
- Samojlik, I., Petkovic, S., Stilinovic, N., Vukmirovic, S. and others (2016) 'Pharmacokinetic Herb-Drug Interaction between Essential Oil of Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum L., Apiaceae) and Acetaminophen and Caffeine: A Potential Risk for Clinical Practice', Phytotherapy Research, 30(2), pp. 253-259. doi:10.1002/ptr.5523 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5523 - Hashemnia, M., Nikousefat, Z., Mohammadalipour, A., Zangeneh, M.M. and others (2019) 'Wound healing activity of Pimpinella anisum methanolic extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats', Journal of Wound Care, 28(Sup10), pp. S26-S36. doi:10.12968/jowc.2019.28.Sup10.S26 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.12968/jowc.2019.28.Sup10.S26 - Samojlik, I., Mijatovic, V., Petkovic, S., Skrbic, B. and others (2012) 'The influence of essential oil of aniseed (Pimpinella anisum, L.) on drug effects on the central nervous system', Fitoterapia, 83(8), pp. 1466-1473. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2012.08.012 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2012.08.012 - Changizi-Ashtiyani, S., Seddigh, A., Najafi, H., Hossaini, N. and others (2017) 'Pimpinella anisum L. ethanolic extract ameliorates the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats', Nephrology (Carlton), 22(2), pp. 133-138. doi:10.1111/nep.12953 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1111/nep.12953 - Mushtaq, A., Habib, F., Manea, R., Anwar, R. and others (2023) 'Biomolecular Screening of Pimpinella anisum L. for Antioxidant and Anticholinesterase Activity in Mice Brain', Molecules, 28(5), pp. 2217. doi:10.3390/molecules28052217 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28052217 - Alotaibi, M.F (2020) 'Pimpinella anisum extract attenuates spontaneous and agonist-induced uterine contraction in term-pregnant rats', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 254, pp. 112730. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112730 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112730 - Dawoud, T. and Ameen, F (2023) 'Unveiling the bioactive potential of Pimpinella anisum L. leaf extracts: Chromatographic profiling, antimicrobial efficiency, and cytotoxicity analysis', Biomedical Chromatography, 37(12), pp. e5739. doi:10.1002/bmc.5739 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.5739 - Alrasheid, A.A., Kabbashi, A.S., Ali, A.O., Alrasheed, A.A. and others (2024) 'Nutritional Value and in vitro Antigiardial Activity of Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) Seeds', Chemistry & Biodiversity, 21(3), pp. e202301254. doi:10.1002/cbdv.202301254 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/cbdv.202301254 - Almaimani, G., Jabbar, A.A.J., Ibrahim, I.A.A., Alzahrani, A.R. and others (2024) 'Anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) attenuates azoxymethane-induced colorectal cancer by antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic pathways in rats', Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 31(3), pp. 4439-4452. doi:10.1007/s11356-023-31349-z Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31349-z - Shrief, A.I., Abdel-Hamid, A.A.M., Moustafa, A. and El-Mohandes, E (2022) 'The possible protective role of Pimpinella anisum oil versus selenium on aspartame induced changes in rat cerebellar cortex', Ultrastructural Pathology, 46(6), pp. 497-510. doi:10.1080/01913123.2022.2136809 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/01913123.2022.2136809 - Jaradat N, et al. A Multidimensional Review of Pimpinella anisum. Molecules. 2023. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/ (2023) 'https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10035495/ - McCormick Science Institute. Anise Potential Health Benefits. https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/our-research/scientific-overviews/anise-potential-health-benefits. Available at: https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/our-research/scientific-overviews/anise-potential-health-benefits Traditional / reference
https://www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com/our-research/scientific-overviews/anise-potential-health-benefits - Shahrajabian MH, Sun W, Cheng Q. Anise (2019) ';5(1)', 5(1). doi:10.1080/23312025.2019.1673688 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1080/23312025.2019.1673688 - Shojaii A, Abdollahi Fard M. Review of pharmacological properties and chemical constituents of Pimpinella anisum. ISRN Pharm. 2012;2012:510795. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3405664/ (2012) ';2012:510795'. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3405664/ Traditional / reference
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3405664/ - Singletary KW. Anise: Potential Health Benefits. Nutrition Today. 2022;57 (2022) ';57(2):73-80', 57(2). Available at: https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/fulltext/2022/03000/anise__potential_health_benefits.10.aspx Traditional / reference
https://journals.lww.com/nutritiontodayonline/fulltext/2022/03000/anise__potential_health_benefits.10.aspx - 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 - King County Noxious Weeds (2024) 'Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) identification and control'. Available at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock Traditional / reference
https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/nature-recreation/environment-ecology-conservation/noxious-weeds/identification-control/poison-hemlock - North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (2024) 'Conium maculatum (Poison Hemlock)'. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/conium-maculatum/ Traditional / reference
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/conium-maculatum/ - Dayan, A.D (2024) 'Death of Socrates: a likely case of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) poisoning', Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 62(1), pp. 56-60. doi:10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2024.2309328
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.