Awaiting clinical review. This page is built from sourced entries but has not yet been signed off by a pharmacist or clinician.
Natural remedies for hair & nails
Direct answer
Nothing in our data has good evidence for hair or nails. The only ingredient tagged here, horsetail, is rated Traditional (1) for hair and nail strength: it is sold for its silica, but we found no human trial of it for either, and the EU regulator does not list those uses. If you are losing hair, the NHS says to see a GP to find the cause before paying for a hair clinic or supplement.
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| Rated for | Typical form & use | Main caution | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horsetail Equisetum arvense (aerial parts) | Traditional | Hair and nail strength | Dry aqueous extract, about 900 mg/day | Not with fluid restriction (heart or kidney disease) | 2–3 days |
Quick picks
Talk to a doctor first if…
Who should avoid
Horsetail should not be used where fluid intake has to be limited, such as severe heart or kidney disease, in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or by children under 12. It contains thiaminase, so avoid it with thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency or heavy alcohol use. Rash and facial swelling from allergy have been reported.
Known interactions
Two case reports describe HIV viral rebound in people taking a horsetail supplement alongside long-standing antiretroviral treatment, and the authors advise avoiding the combination, although a link is unproven.
Before you reach for an ingredient
Before buying anything for hair loss, find out why it is happening: many causes are temporary.
- The NHS says losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal, and that temporary hair loss can follow illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss or iron deficiency. Hair loss caused by a medical condition usually stops or grows back once you have recovered.1
- See a GP if you are worried about hair loss, and before going to a commercial hair clinic. Pattern baldness is often inherited and permanent; the NHS names finasteride and minoxidil as the main treatments, which do not work for everyone and work only while used.1
Questions people ask
Does horsetail help hair grow or strengthen nails?
We found no human trial showing it does. It is marketed on its silica content, but the EU regulator does not list hair or nails as a use, and we rate it Traditional (1). Its evidence, such as it is, is for a mild diuretic effect.
Why am I losing hair?
The NHS says it is normal to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day, and that illness, stress, cancer treatment, weight loss and iron deficiency can cause temporary loss. Pattern baldness, which often runs in families, is usually permanent. A GP can often tell the cause by looking at your hair.
What has been shown to work for hair loss?
Not any herb on this site. The NHS names finasteride and minoxidil as the main treatments for male pattern baldness, and minoxidil for female pattern baldness; women should not use finasteride. The NHS says no treatment is 100% effective.
Sources
- Clinical guidance NHS. Hair loss. nhs.uk (last reviewed 24 January 2024).
- Regulator monograph European Medicines Agency HMPC. European Union herbal monograph on Equisetum arvense L., herba (EMA/HMPC/278091/2015). 2016.
Draft, awaiting clinical review