How Horsetail (and Silica) Strengthens Your Hair Strands

How Horsetail (and Silica) Strengthens Your Hair Strands

Table of Contents

    Your hair is more than a style choice—it often reflects internal wellbeing. If your strands snap easily, one missing piece might be silica, a trace mineral that supports connective tissue and hair fiber integrity. One of nature’s richest botanical sources of silica is horsetail (Equisetum arvense). Below, we break down the evidence on silica and horsetail for stronger, more resilient hair.

    What is horsetail?

    Horsetail is a mineral-rich, antioxidant herb from the fern family. It contains especially high levels of silica, plus polyphenols and flavonoids that help buffer oxidative stress. These compounds together can support a healthier scalp environment and sturdier hair fibers.

    Why silica matters for hair strength

    • Tensile strength & elasticity: Silica helps hair resist breakage and better “bounce back” during brushing, styling, and environmental stress.
    • Keratin & connective tissue support: Silica participates in structural processes that keep hair shafts cohesive.

    A 2007 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in women with fine hair found that daily, bioavailable silica (as choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid, or ch-OSA) improved hair tensile properties and morphology over 9 months. Arch Dermatol Res 2007; open summaries also available via Europe PMC.

    What the studies say

    • Silica & hair quality: Reviews on silicon (silica) and integumentary health note associations between higher silicon levels and reduced hair fragility/brightness loss; bioavailability of the form used matters. An. Bras. Dermatol. 2016 (PMC); Europe PMC record.
    • Antioxidant activity of horsetail: Lab work shows Equisetum arvense extracts possess antioxidative properties, relevant because oxidative stress degrades hair fibers. J Med Food 2010.
    • Oxidative stress & hair damage: Reviews summarize how UV, pollution, chemical insults, and oxidized scalp lipids drive fiber damage and aging—strengthening the case for antioxidant support. Int J Cosmet Sci 2015; PubMed abstract: Europe PMC.

    How horsetail + silica support stronger strands

    1. Reinforcement of the hair shaft: Improving tensile strength reduces everyday breakage.
    2. Elasticity gains: Better “bend without break,” fewer split ends over time.
    3. Scalp environment support: Antioxidants help buffer free-radical damage that contributes to dullness and brittleness.

    How to use horsetail effectively

    • Form & consistency: Oral, bioavailable forms (standardized horsetail or stabilized silica like ch-OSA) with daily use; allow 8–12+ weeks for assessment. Wickett et al., 2007.
    • Dietary synergy: Pair with adequate protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin C.
    • Quality: Choose products tested for heavy metals—Equisetum species can accumulate metals from soil. See USGS profiling of Equisetum metal uptake. USGS Bulletin.
    • Safety: Some horsetail species contain thiaminase (vitamin B1-degrading enzyme). Opt for safe sourcing and consult a clinician if pregnant, nursing, on diuretics, or managing kidney issues. See safety overviews: CIR Safety Assessment 2021; EMA report.

    If you’re looking for clean, clinical formulations that aim to support hair effectively, these are well-designed options:

    HAIRtamin Advanced Formula delivers biotin, zinc, folate, selenium, rosemary, horsetail, saw palmetto, aloe, and turmeric. It’s third-party tested, gluten-free, dairy-free, and free from added sugar or synthetic fillers.

    BAdvanced Formula is intended to be used consistently for at least 3–6 months and work best alongside a balanced diet, hydration, and healthy lifestyle habits.

    Sources

    1. Wickett RR, et al. Effect of oral choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength & morphology. Arch Dermatol Res. 2007. Springer / Europe PMC.
    2. de Morais EC, et al. Use of silicon for skin and hair care: forms & efficacy. An. Bras. Dermatol. 2016. PMC PDF.
    3. Cetojević-Simin DD, et al. Antioxidative & antiproliferative activities of Equisetum arvense. J Med Food. 2010. Europe PMC.
    4. Trüeb RM. The impact of oxidative stress on hair. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2015. Wiley PDF; Europe PMC abstract.
    5. USGS. Metal absorption by Equisetum (horsetail). Bulletin 1278-A.
    6. Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). Safety assessment of Equisetum arvense-derived ingredients. 2021. PDF.
    7. European Medicines Agency (EMA). Assessment report on Equisetum arvense L., herba. 2016. PDF.
    Back to blog

    Share