Hair strength and thickness support
Strengthens hair shaft and increases hair thickness and resilience
Horsetail Extract
Traditional herb rich in bioavailable silica supporting hair strength, nail health, and connective tissue formation
Scientific nameEquisetum arvense extract
FormulaRich in silica (SiO2) and flavonoids
Molecular weightVariable plant compounds g/mol
CAS71011-23-9
80
absorption score
8
safety / 10
20
USD per month
5
documented interactions
Check it against something
Horsetail Extract with:
- Amylase
- Ashwagandha
- Avocado Oil
- BCAA (Branched-Chain Amino Acids)
- Beetroot Powder
- Beta-Alanine
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Bovine Collagen
- Caffeine
- Calcium
- Calcium Bone Formula
- Calcium Carbonate
- Casein Protein
- Chicken Collagen
- Choline (Bitartrate)
- Chondroitin Sulfate
- Coconut Oil
- Collagen Peptides
- Comprehensive Immune Support Complex
- Comprehensive Multivitamin-Mineral Complex
- Creatine HCL
- Creatine Monohydrate
- D-Mannose
- DHA
- Electrolyte Blend
- EPA
- Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
- Folate (5-MTHF)
- Ginger
- Iron Fumarate
- Iron Sulfate
- Joint Mobility Formula
- Keratin
- Krill Oil
- L-Carnitine
- L-Citrulline
- Lactase
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lipase
- Magnesium Citrate
- Magnesium Glycinate
- Magnesium Oxide
- Marine Collagen
- Melatonin
- Modafinil
- Olive Oil Extract
- Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula
- Papain
- Protease
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Turmeric
- Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin)
- Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate)
- Vitamin D3
- Whey Protein
- Zinc Gluconate
Nothing found
78
out of 100
Works better together
Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.
What it does
mechanism and evidence for each claimNail strength and growth enhancement
Dramatically improves nail strength, reduces brittleness, and promotes growth
Skin elasticity and firmness
Improves skin elasticity, firmness, and overall appearance
Connective tissue and joint support
Supports overall connective tissue health and joint flexibility
Traditional beauty and wellness support
Time-tested herb for comprehensive beauty and health benefits
Others take these for the same thing
Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one
Collagen Peptides
Skin health & joint support
5-15g
B
85%
Bone Broth Collagen
Gut healing & collagen support
20-40g powder
B
85%
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Hair, skin & nail health
300-5000 mcg
A
80%
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide)
Energy & skin health (no flush)
100-1000 mg
A
88%
Marine Collagen
Anti-aging & skin health
5-15g
A
95%
Astaxanthin
Superior antioxidant & skin protection
4-12mg
B
20%
Every pair we checked
12 combinations scored by the engine
Horsetail Extract + Caffeine
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + Creatine Monohydrate
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + Whey Protein
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + Lactase
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + Bovine Collagen
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + DHA
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + Turmeric
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
No documented interaction either way
No known interaction
70
Horsetail Extract + Calcium Carbonate
Enhanced bone health and mineral absorption
Works better together
75
Horsetail Extract + Magnesium Oxide
Enhanced bone health and mineral absorption
Works better together
75
Horsetail Extract + Vitamin D3
Enhanced collagen synthesis and tissue formation
Works better together
78
Horsetail Extract + Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Enhanced collagen synthesis and tissue formation
Works better together
86
Dosage
Daily300-900mg
Hair nail support300-900mg daily
Skin anti aging300-600mg daily
Connective tissue400-900mg daily
Traditional wellness300-600mg daily
When to expect it
First Effects6-8 weeks for initial nail strength improvements
Peak Benefits12-16 weeks for sustained hair, nail, and skin benefits
Deficiency DevelopmentSilica levels decline with age affecting connective tissues
Toxicity OnsetVery rare with normal supplementation doses
How to measure it
MarkerSerum silicon levels, bone density markers, collagen synthesis markers
OptimalAdequate silicon levels, improved collagen markers
Deficient belowLow silicon levels, poor collagen synthesis
FrequencyEvery 6-12 months for mineral status assessment
What actually reaches you
The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption
Very high 80 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound
Delivered daily
480 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered
$0.14 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage
Works better with
+
Vitamin C
Enhanced collagen synthesis and tissue formation
Both essential for optimal collagen production and cross-linking · level B
+
Biotin
Synergistic hair and nail health benefits
Both support keratin synthesis and structural protein formation · level B
+
Calcium Magnesium
Enhanced bone health and mineral absorption
Silica works with minerals for optimal bone matrix formation · level CWhat not to take with Horsetail Extract
!
Thiamine Vitamin B1
Horsetail contains thiaminase which may reduce B1 levels
Enzyme breaks down thiamine reducing bioavailability · moderate significance
!
High Fiber Meals
Very high fiber may reduce silica absorption
Fiber can bind minerals reducing bioavailability · mild significanceMedication interactions
Discuss these with a pharmacist before combiningMay affect lithium levels due to diuretic properties
What to do: Monitor lithium levels
May enhance diuretic effects
What to do: Monitor fluid balance
Available forms
Standardized Horsetail Extract (7% Silica): Natural herbal source, Traditional use history, Multiple benefits, Cost-effective
Food sources
Fresh horsetail herb
Natural silica content · 75
Horsetail tea
Traditional preparation · 65
Standardized horsetail extract
7% silica (300-900mg) · 80
Horsetail tincture
Concentrated liquid extract · 75
Too little
- Silica deficiency and horsetail benefits:
- Weak, brittle, slow-growing nails
- Thinning, weak hair lacking strength
- Loss of skin elasticity and premature aging
- Poor wound healing and tissue repair
- Joint stiffness and connective tissue weakness
- Reduced bone density and strength
Too much
- Generally safe with some considerations:
- Potential thiamine depletion with excessive long-term use
- Rare kidney irritation with very high doses
- Trace nicotine content in raw herb
- Generally well tolerated by most people
Who benefits most
weak-brittle-nails
Nail strengthening and growth support for weak, brittle, or damaged nails
300-900mg daily
thinning-weak-hair
Hair strength and thickness enhancement for thinning or weak hair
300-900mg daily
aging-skin-elasticity
Skin elasticity and anti-aging support for mature skin
300-600mg daily
connective-tissue-support
General connective tissue health and joint support
400-900mg daily
traditional-herbal-wellness
Traditional wellness and beauty enhancement support
300-600mg dailyWhere to buy it
Look for Horsetail Extract at 300-900mg per serving. The form that matters here is Standardized Horsetail Extract (7% Silica).
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What else affects it
Beyond other supplements
!
High fiber meals
Very high fiber may reduce silica absorption
Fiber can bind minerals reducing bioavailabilityHow it works
- Provides highly bioavailable silica essential for collagen and elastin synthesis
- Supports cross-linking of collagen fibers for tissue strength and integrity
- Critical for keratin formation in hair and nail structure
- Enhances calcium and mineral absorption for bone and connective tissue health
- Flavonoids provide antioxidant protection for existing collagen
- Traditional compounds support overall beauty and wellness
Key findings
what the evidence supports- Traditional use evidence for hair, nail, and skin health
- Good evidence for silica content and bioavailability
- Limited modern clinical trials on beauty benefits
- Excellent safety profile with proper dosing
Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-01
Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →
Common questions
What are the benefits of Horsetail Extract?
Documented effects: Hair strength and thickness support; Nail strength and growth enhancement; Skin elasticity and firmness; Connective tissue and joint support. Strengthens hair shaft and increases hair thickness and resilience
How much Horsetail Extract should you take per day?
The common daily range is 300-900mg. By goal — hair nail support: 300-900mg daily; skin anti aging: 300-600mg daily; connective tissue: 400-900mg daily; traditional wellness: 300-600mg daily.
When is the best time to take Horsetail Extract?
With meals. First effects are typically reported within 6-8 weeks for initial nail strength improvements.
What are the side effects of Horsetail Extract?
At excessive doses: Generally safe with some considerations:, Potential thiamine depletion with excessive long-term use, Rare kidney irritation with very high doses, Trace nicotine content in raw herb, Generally well tolerated by most people. Safety rating at normal doses is 8 out of 10.
What should you not take with Horsetail Extract?
Separate it from Thiamine Vitamin B1, High Fiber Meals by two to four hours. Horsetail contains thiaminase which may reduce B1 levels
Does Horsetail Extract interact with medications?
Documented interactions with lithium, diuretics. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.
How do you know if you need Horsetail Extract?
The marker is Serum silicon levels, bone density markers, collagen synthesis markers, optimal range Adequate silicon levels, improved collagen markers. Common deficiency signs: Silica deficiency and horsetail benefits:, Weak, brittle, slow-growing nails, Thinning, weak hair lacking strength, Loss of skin elasticity and premature aging.