Should You Take Horsetail Extract as a Capsule, Tea, or Shampoo for Better Results?

The plant Equisetum arvense, commonly known as horsetail, has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. Its reputation comes mainly from its high silica content, a compound of silicon and oxygen that plays a role in the structure of hair, skin, and nails. Today, horsetail is sold as capsules, teas, and topical shampoos. But which of these forms is truly supported by science, and what does that science actually mean for us?

When taken as capsules, horsetail extract delivers its active compounds internally, where nutrients can enter the bloodstream and reach hair follicles. This method has been evaluated more carefully than tea or shampoo.

In 2012, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated a supplement containing horsetail-derived silica among women aged 21 to 75 with self-perceived hair thinning (Fischer et al., 2012).

Participants were randomly assigned to receive the supplement or a placebo for six months. Researchers measured the number of terminal hairs (fully developed hairs visible on the scalp) using phototrichograms at the beginning, after 90 days, and after 180 days. At baseline, the average number of terminal hairs was 271. After 90 days of supplementation, it rose to 571, and at 180 days, to 610. The placebo group did not show comparable gains. Participants also reported subjective improvements in hair volume, scalp coverage, thickness, shine, and skin smoothness. No adverse events were documented. The trial was conducted with 96 participants, and the study duration was six months.

However, this supplement contained other ingredients besides horsetail, such as fish proteins and vitamin C. This makes it difficult to isolate whether horsetail alone was responsible for the improvements. That is a key limitation, and it means that while the results look promising, they cannot be attributed solely to horsetail extract.

Horsetail tea has a long history of use, but modern evidence is lacking. Drinking horsetail tea allows silica and antioxidants to enter the body, but unlike capsules, the concentration of active compounds in an infusion is less controlled. There are no clinical trials directly testing horsetail tea for hair growth in humans. What we know comes mainly from the plant’s chemistry: it contains antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals and silica that may strengthen connective tissue. Yet without controlled trials measuring hair counts, density, or thickness, its effects remain speculative. Traditional use alone cannot substitute for clinical evidence, which is necessary to confirm whether tea has any measurable impact on hair health.

Shampoos and Topical Application: Laboratory Promise but No Human Proof

Topical horsetail is often marketed in shampoos or oils, suggesting it strengthens hair fibers and improves scalp health. Some laboratory studies support this possibility. For example, a 2023 in vitro study examined horsetail extracts against enzymes linked to hair loss, such as 5α-reductase (which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, a hormone that can shrink hair follicles) and collagenase (which breaks down structural proteins in the scalp) (Lestari et al., 2023). The extracts showed inhibitory activity in cell-based tests, which means they might block processes contributing to hair follicle damage.

However, in vitro studies are preliminary: they test extracts on isolated cells or enzymes, not in living humans. While these results are intriguing, they cannot be translated into clinical effectiveness without trials measuring hair growth or thickness in people. No large-scale clinical studies exist for horsetail shampoos, which leaves us with only indirect evidence.

What We Need to Know Before Choosing

From the perspective of someone considering horsetail for hair health, the form matters. Capsules have at least one controlled trial suggesting benefits, though the results are confounded by other ingredients. Tea remains untested in clinical conditions, so any claims are based on tradition and chemistry rather than measured outcomes. Shampoos and oils show interesting biological activity in labs, but these findings have not been confirmed in real-world human use.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements as strictly as pharmaceuticals, meaning that quality and dosage can vary. Horsetail also contains thiaminase, an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1, which could lead to deficiency if consumed in high amounts or without proper processing. This safety issue is particularly relevant when considering oral forms.

In short, if we are deciding between capsules, tea, or shampoo, the best-supported choice is capsules, but even here, the evidence is not isolated to horsetail alone. Tea and shampoo remain largely unproven. What we need most are well-designed trials that test horsetail in each form independently, so that we can finally separate tradition, marketing, and chemistry from reliable human outcomes.

User Experiences with Horsetail Extract for Hair Loss

Community discussions around horsetail extract show mixed perspectives, with most users approaching it as a supplement rather than a primary treatment. The plant, known for its silica content, is marketed in capsules, teas, and shampoos, but community feedback suggests its role is more supportive than transformative.

Some users reported taking horsetail as part of multi-ingredient hair supplements. In these cases, it was rarely credited as the main factor in hair regrowth. Instead, users noted that only proven treatments like finasteride, minoxidil, or microneedling produced visible changes, while horsetail remained more of a background nutrient. One member who tried New Nordic Hair Volume gummies containing horsetail, zinc, and biotin found little benefit, with other commenters emphasizing that only pharmaceutical options work reliably.

Others used horsetail alongside natural stacks such as green tea, saw palmetto, and zinc. Reports varied: some believed their shedding slowed, while others noticed no difference. In one case, a user observed new hair growth on the neck after combining horsetail with saw palmetto and biotin, but the response from the community pointed toward this being more likely a side effect of hormonal disruption than a sign of scalp regrowth.

Topical applications, such as oils or shampoos containing horsetail, also surfaced in discussions. However, these were generally seen as cosmetic rather than therapeutic. Users debated whether horsetail oils or shampoos could nourish the scalp, but no one reported measurable regrowth. Capsules or oral supplements were more commonly taken, especially in formulations mixed with other vitamins or plant extracts.

The consensus across community comments is that horsetail extract—whether in capsule, tea, or shampoo form—does not match the effectiveness of the established “big four”: finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole, and microneedling. While it may contribute trace nutrients like silica or antioxidants, users who relied on horsetail alone did not experience significant regrowth. Instead, they found it most useful as an add-on for general hair health rather than a solution to androgenic alopecia.

References

Fischer, T. W., Hipler, U. C., & Elsner, P. (2012). Efficacy of a nutritional supplement containing a marine protein complex for treatment of hair loss in women. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 5(11), 28–34. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3509882/

Lestari, D., Susanti, H., & Hidayat, M. (2023). Anti-aging and anti-hair loss potential of Equisetum debile extracts: Inhibition of 5α-reductase and collagenase enzymes. Applied Sciences, 13(3), 1336. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/3/1336

NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2022). Horsetail. Retrieved from https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/horsetail

Verywell Health. (2019). Horsetail for inflammation, hair, and bone health: Does it work? Retrieved from https://www.verywellhealth.com/horsetail-4692253

Byrdie. (2021). The benefits of horsetail oil for hair, according to experts. Retrieved from https://www.byrdie.com/horsetail-oil-for-hair-5097909 https://reddit.com/r/tressless/comments/kl1nb9/hair_loss_protocol/

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