Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is a silica-rich plant with a mild, green, grassy flavour and a slightly astringent finish, used in herbal teas, functional beverages, food manufacturing and wellness blends. At Austral Herbs, we supply both certified organic and conventional horsetail as cut herb and powder, in pack sizes from 250g to 10kg.
Horsetail
Key Takeaways
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Horsetail is available in cut herb and powder variants, with certified organic and conventional options across both formats to suit different product needs.
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Horsetail may help support general wellness and immune function and is traditionally used in herbal practice for its naturally occurring plant compounds.[1]
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Horsetail is used across beverage manufacturing, food manufacturing, wellness practices, and tea blending for its mild, grassy flavour profile and traditional association with general wellness in herbal practice.
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Horsetail's organic certification verifies compliance with organic growing and processing standards, including restrictions on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, making it ideal for wellness applications.
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Horsetail is available in pack sizes from 250g to 10kg, allowing small-batch testing or large-scale commercial production for different industry use cases.
Specifications & Characteristics
| Attribute | Details |
| Botanical Name | Equisetum arvense (family Equisetaceae) |
| Common Name | Horsetail |
| Plant Part | Aerial parts (stem) |
| Available Forms | Cut herb and powder |
| Flavour Profile | Mild, green and grassy with a slightly astringent finish |
| Aroma | Faint, green and hay-like |
| Typical Applications | Herbal teas and blends, functional beverages, food manufacturing, wellness formulations and culinary infusions |
| Certifications | Certified Organic (ACO) on the organic herb and powder, processed under HACCP food-safety standards; the range also includes conventional, non-certified herb and powder variants |
| Pack Sizes | 250g, 500g, 1kg, 5kg, 10kg |
What is Horsetail?
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is an ancient, non-flowering vascular plant recognised by its slender, jointed green stems. It grows naturally across temperate and cooler regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of Europe, Asia and North America. The plant is sometimes confused with ornamental horsetail species used in landscaping, but the botanical supplied by Austral Herbs is Equisetum arvense.
Horsetail has been used in traditional herbal practice for centuries, usually dried and brewed as a tea or ground into powder for blends. It has traditionally been associated with general wellness, and some research has begun investigating its naturally occurring plant compounds and immune-modulating properties[1], though the evidence remains limited. Its subtle, grassy flavour makes it easy to combine with brighter or more aromatic botanicals.
At Austral Herbs, we supply horsetail in cut herb and powder formats, with certified organic and conventional options available. Our organic horsetail is certified by Australian Certified Organic (ACO), verifying compliance with applicable certified organic production standards. Our horsetail contains no added preservatives and is processed in accordance with applicable food-safety requirements.
Benefits of Horsetail
Horsetail has been valued for centuries in traditional herbal practices due to its naturally occurring nutrients and plant compounds.
Traditional Wellness Use
Horsetail has traditionally been used in herbal practice as a general wellness botanical, and its naturally occurring plant compounds have drawn some scientific interest[1], though evidence remains limited.
Traditional Immune Support
Horsetail has been associated with traditional wellness support, and one laboratory study has investigated the immune-modulating effects of its plant compounds[1], though the evidence is limited and further research is needed.
Antioxidant Properties
Horsetail naturally contains plant compounds that have been studied for antioxidant-related activity[1], though the evidence is still limited and mixed.
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, we recommend speaking with a qualified healthcare professional before adding horsetail to your routine.
What Industries Can Horsetail Be Used In?
Horsetail is used as a dried botanical ingredient across tea, beverage, food and herbal applications.
Tea blenders use horsetail in loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions, where its mild, grassy flavour can complement more aromatic botanicals. It can be combined with flowers, leaves and other herbs to create layered botanical blends. Cut horsetail is ideal for loose herbal blends and infusion applications where the dried plant material is visible.
Herbal practitioners and botanical product manufacturers use horsetail in herbal teas, infusions, powdered blends and other traditional botanical preparations. Its mild, grassy flavour makes it ideal for combining with other herbs without overpowering its flavour. Cut herb is suited to teas and infusion based preparations, while powder provides a convenient formulation for applications that require a milled ingredient.
Food manufacturers can use horsetail as a botanical ingredient in selected food formulations, particularly where a mild herbal character is preferred. Powdered horsetail can be incorporated into dry blends, recipes and other formulations that require a ground botanical ingredient. Cut herb provides an alternative for applications where the ingredient is infused before being strained or removed.
Beverage manufacturers can incorporate horsetail into herbal beverages, botanical drinks and powdered beverage formulations. Its mild grassy flavour complements stronger flavours from other herbs, fruits and botanicals without becoming the dominant flavour. Powder variants are ideal for formulations that require a milled ingredient, while cut herb can be used in applications where the ingredient is infused before being removed.
Horsetail can be used in culinary applications where a mild herbal flavour profile is required. Cut herb can be incorporated into infusions, syrups, broths and other preparations where the botanical is strained before serving, while powder is ideal for recipes requiring a ground formulation.
Shop Our Horsetail Collection
We supply horsetail in cut herb and powder formats, with certified organic and conventional options available. Choose the formula that best suits your application.
Horsetail Powder
Milled from the dried aerial stems, our conventional horsetail powder blends smoothly into functional beverages, foods and wellness formulations. It is the practical pick when you need an even, dispersible botanical that mixes in without visible pieces.
Horsetail Powder Organic
Certified organic horsetail powder is ideal for those seeking a milled formulation produced in line with certified organic standards. Suitable for beverage, food, tea and herbal formulations.
Horsetail Herb Organic
Cut from certified organic stems, this variant keeps the visible, jointed pieces that steep cleanly in loose-leaf teas and slow infusions. It is ideal for tea companies and wellness makers, when both traceable organic sourcing and a recognisable whole-herb is required.
Horsetail Herb
Our conventional cut horsetail herb is suitable for teas, infusions, botanical blends and other applications requiring dried horsetail in cut form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the horsetail you supply the same as the ornamental horsetail grass sold for gardens?
No. The horsetail we supply is the botanical herb Equisetum arvense, harvested and dried for use in teas, foods, beverages and wellness blends. It is different from the ornamental horsetail reed or "horsetail grass" sold for landscaping ponds and gardens, which is grown for decoration rather than as a food-grade botanical ingredient.
What's the difference between horsetail herb and horsetail powder?
The herb is the cut, dried aerial stem, with visible jointed pieces that steep well in teas and slow infusions. The powder is the same plant milled to a fine, even texture that disperses into beverages, foods and blends. Choose the herb for loose-leaf brewing and the powder for smooth mixing.
Is Austral Herb’s horsetail certified organic, and where is it sourced from?
We stock both certified organic and conventional horsetail, so you can choose the option that suits your product. Our organic range carries ACO certification, which verifies compliance with organic growing and processing standards, including restrictions on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. For specific harvest and origin details, our team can help you directly.
What does horsetail taste like?
Horsetail has a mild, grassy flavour with a slightly astringent finish. It is subtle rather than bold, which is why it works well as a gentle base note in tea blends and functional beverages. Its understated flavour profile lets it combine easily with brighter botanicals like peppermint or floral notes like chamomile.
What is the minimum order quantity for bulk horsetail?
We supply horsetail in pack sizes from 250g up to 10kg, so you can order a small quantity to trial or scale up to bulk volumes for production. The 250g and 1kg packs suit sampling and small-batch makers, while the 5kg and 10kg sizes are geared towards manufacturers and wholesale buyers.
Why Choose Austral Herbs for Horsetail?
At Austral Herbs, we have supplied Australia's botanical community since 1996, and horsetail is part of a carefully sourced range we know well. We stock both certified organic and conventional variants, each traceable and processed under HACCP-certified food-safety standards, so you receive consistent, reliable raw material batch after batch.
Our horsetail suits tea companies, beverage and food manufacturers, naturopaths, wellness makers and home enthusiasts alike. With pack sizes from 250g to 10kg and reliable Australia-wide delivery, we make it easy to order the right quantity for your needs, whether you are trialling a blend or scaling production. If you need help choosing a variant or size, contact us.
Pairs Well With
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has an earthy and bitter flavour that adds depth to horsetail's milder, grassy character. Together, they create a layered botanical profile suited to herbal teas, infusions and other blends featuring earthy root and herb flavours.
Reishi Mushroom
Reishi mushroom adds a deep, woody, savoury depth that anchors horsetail's lighter, green profile. The two combine well in earthy functional blends, where reishi's grounding richness balances horsetail's subtle, grassy note.
Chamomile
Chamomile offers a gentle, honeyed floral sweetness that lifts horsetail's mild, green flavour. The pairing creates a soft, calming tea blend, with chamomile's warmth rounding out horsetail's clean, grassy finish.
Dandelion
Dandelion contributes a roasted, slightly bitter note that sits naturally alongside horsetail's grassy profile. Blended together, they build a robust herbal tea with satisfying depth and a clean finish.
Peppermint
Peppermint brings a cool, fresh, menthol lift that contrasts horsetail's mild, green flavour. The combination creates a bright, refreshing profile suited to herbal teas and botanical infusions.
Turmeric
Turmeric adds a warm, earthy, slightly peppery spice note that deepens horsetail's lighter, grassy profile. Together, they create a warming botanical profile that works well in herbal teas, infusions and spice-forward blends.
References
- Equisetum arvense (common horsetail) modulates the immune response — https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4132922/
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Any references to traditional or historical uses are for context only and do not represent any therapeutic claims for the products supplied by Austral Herbs.
Austral Herbs supplies ingredients only and does not claim that any products are intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Customers should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any ingredients, particularly if pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a medical condition.
Customers are responsible for ensuring that any finished products manufactured, marketed, or supplied using these ingredients comply with all applicable Australian laws and regulations, including those administered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and relevant food standards legislation.
