Horsetail for Nail Health

Research suggests that horsetail (Equisetum telmateia) may offer benefits relevant to nail and skin health, primarily through its antioxidant properties and its ability to inhibit enzymes involved in tissue degradation, such as collagenase and elastase, which play roles in maintaining structural proteins important to nails, skin, and connective tissue. The available evidence consists of a single 2025 laboratory and formulation study that identified protocatechuic acid as a key active compound and found that an emulgel preparation delivered this compound into skin tissue more effectively than a basic extract suspension. While the findings are directionally supportive, it is important to note that this research is preclinical in nature, conducted under laboratory conditions rather than in human clinical trials, and does not directly measure effects on nail health as an outcome. No randomized controlled trials or clinical studies on horsetail specifically for nail health were identified, meaning the evidence base remains preliminary and further human research would be needed to draw firm conclusions.