Plant Comparison
Field Horsetail vs Corn Silk
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 Corn Silk: they share 8 indicated uses (arthritis / joint pain, cancer (anticancer research), infection (general), …); 3 pharmacological actions in common.
Evidence face-off — shared uses
| Condition | Field Horsetail | Corn Silk | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis / joint pain | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Cancer (anticancer research) | 2/10 | 2/10 | Comparable evidence |
| Infection (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Inflammation (general) | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Skin irritation | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Swelling / fluid retention | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Urinary support | 5/10 | 1/10 | Stronger for Field Horsetail |
| Urinary tract infection (UTI) | 5/10 | 1/10 | 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.
Major antioxidant constituents of corn silk; maysin is the predominant flavonoid quantified in standardised extracts.
Contribute to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
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 anticancer action
Soothing demulcent for urinary-tract irritation and mild urinary infections; supports kidney function
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
inferred from demulcent action
Diuretic - increases urine output to support the urinary tract and mild fluid retention/swelling; in conscious rats the aqueous extract is diuretic and kaliuretic and modifies glomerular filtration and potassium excretion
inferred from diuretic action
Diuretic - increases urine output to support the urinary tract and mild fluid retention/swelling; in conscious rats the aqueous extract is diuretic and kaliuretic and modifies glomerular filtration and potassium excretion; Soothing demulcent for urinary-tract irritation and mild urinary infections; supports kidney function
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).
As a diuretic it should be taken with plenty of fluids; use caution alongside prescription diuretics or medicines that affect potassium.
May lower blood sugar and blood pressure, so use caution with antidiabetic or antihypertensive medication; avoid concentrated medicinal doses in pregnancy - a high-dose standardised extract increased pre-implantation losses in pregnant rats (no fetal malformations were seen).
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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.
Tall, robust annual grass with broad, strap-like leaves and a stout, jointed stem. Male flowers form a terminal tassel; female flowers develop on the ear (cob), each floret bearing a single long, silky style and stigma ('corn silk') that protrudes from the husk to catch pollen.[11]
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).
Cultivated worldwide as a major cereal food crop in warm-temperate to tropical climates on fertile, well-drained soils; not found wild, having been domesticated from a wild grass ancestor (teosinte) in Mesoamerica.[11]
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.
The silky stigmas and styles are collected from the ears in mid- to late summer, just before or as pollination occurs, while still fresh and pale, then dried quickly to preserve colour and flavonoid content.[11]
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]
Corn silk has a long traditional use across Chinese, Native American and European folk medicine as a gentle diuretic and soothing demulcent for urinary tract complaints, mild fluid retention and kidney support.[11]
Preparations
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.
Not documented
References
Lookalikes Review
Dangerous Lookalikes
Not documented
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
- Zhang, Y., Wu, L., Ma, Z., Cheng, J. and Liu, J (2018) 'Corn silk (Zea mays L.), a source of natural antioxidants with alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, advanced glycation and diabetic nephropathy inhibitory activities', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 110, pp. 510-517. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.126 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.126 - Wang, Y. and others (2023) 'Corn Silk Flavonoids Ameliorate Hyperuricemia via PI3K/AKT/NF-kappaB Pathway', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71(26), pp. 9968-9979. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03422 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03422 - Habtemariam, S (1998) 'Extract of corn silk (stigma of Zea mays) inhibits the tumour necrosis factor-alpha- and bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced cell adhesion and ICAM-1 expression', Planta Medica, 64(4), pp. 314-318. doi:10.1055/s-2006-957441 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-957441 - Chen, M.Y., Wu, J.M. and others (2025) 'Unlocking Corn Silk's Potential: Bioactive Compounds Targeting Age-Related Diseases', Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 69(10), pp. e70117. doi:10.1002/mnfr.70117 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.70117 - Li, Y. and others (2023) 'Diterpenoid and phenolic constituents from corn silk (Zea mays) with PTP1B inhibitory activity', Natural Product Research, 37(24), pp. 4189-4196. doi:10.1080/14786419.2023.2265038 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2265038 - Wang, B. and others (2019) 'Corn Silk (Zea mays) Induced Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer (MCF-7) Cells via the ROS-Mediated Mitochondrial Pathway', Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2019, pp. 9789241. doi:10.1155/2019/9789241 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/9789241 - Guo, J. and others (2024) 'Extraction, purification, structural characteristics, and pharmacological activities of the polysaccharides from corn silk: A review', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 274, pp. 133433. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133433 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133433 - Li, X. and others (2025) 'Ultrasound-assisted extraction of anti-inflammatory actives from corn silk (Zea mays L.): Process optimization, machine learning screening, and interaction mechanisms', Ultrasonics Sonochemistry, 118, pp. 107420. doi:10.1016/j.ultsonch.2025.107420 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultsonch.2025.107420 - Wang, Y. and others (2024) 'An Umbrella Insight into the Phytochemistry Features and Biological Activities of Corn Silk: A Narrative Review', Molecules, 29(4), pp. 891. doi:10.3390/molecules29040891 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29040891 - Zhang, W. and others (2023) 'Acidic polysaccharide from corn silk: Structural & conformational properties and hepatoprotective activity', International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 237, pp. 123851. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123851 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123851 - Hasanudin, K., Hashim, P. and Mustafa, S (2012) 'Corn Silk (Stigma Maydis) in Healthcare: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review', Molecules. doi:10.3390/molecules171112937 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules171112937 - Caixeta, G.A.B. and dos Santos Reis, D. and Soares, K.I. and de Brito Ramos, I. and Mendes, G.H.L. and others (2025) 'Toxicological Assessment of a Standardized Dry Extract of Zea mays L. (Poaceae) Stigmas During Gestation: Effects on Maternal Parameters and Fetal Outcomes in Wistar Rats', Birth Defects Research, 117(9). doi:10.1002/bdr2.2526 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1002/bdr2.2526 - Velazquez, D.V.O. and Xavier, H.S. and Batista, J.E.M. and de Castro-Chaves, C (2005) 'Zea mays L. extracts modify glomerular function and potassium urinary excretion in conscious rats', Phytomedicine, 12(5), pp. 363--369. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2003.12.010 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2003.12.010
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.