Horsetail for Bone Health

Research suggests that Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) may support bone health through several mechanisms, including inhibiting osteoclast activity, suppressing inflammatory signaling pathways such as NF-κB and RANKL, and potentially improving bone mineral density. Studies indicate that the available evidence comes entirely from preclinical sources — animal models and cell culture experiments — including a rat study showing increased mandibular bone density at higher extract doses, a rat model of periodontitis-related bone loss showing reduced osteoclast formation, and an aging mouse study demonstrating slower trabecular bone deterioration alongside preserved muscle mass. All three studies point in a supportive direction, and the consistency of the proposed anti-inflammatory and anti-resorptive mechanisms across independent investigations is noteworthy. However, no human clinical trials have been conducted, which means findings cannot yet be extrapolated to people, and the practical significance of these results remains uncertain pending further research.