Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
14:39
Semi-Targeted Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Phenolic Metabolites in Plasma of Elderly Adults
Published on: April 22, 2022
4.1K
Silicon Resorption from Equisetum arvense Tea - A Randomized, Three-Armed Pilot Study.
Aljoscha Waterstradt1, Moritz Winker2, Amy Marisa Zimmermann-Klemd1
1Centre for Complementary Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
Planta Medica
|October 27, 2021
Summary
Equisetum arvense tea (TEA) significantly increases serum silicon levels. While TEA1 was well-tolerated, higher doses (TEA2) caused diarrhea, indicating dose-dependent effects of this herbal remedy.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Nutritional Science
- Herbal Medicine
Background:
- Equisetum arvense tea (TEA) is recognized for its high silicon content and traditional use in managing inflammatory conditions.
- Understanding silicon resorption from TEA is crucial for its therapeutic application and safety assessment.
- This study investigates the pharmacokinetic and safety profile of silicon absorption following TEA consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the resorption and kinetics of silicon after the oral intake of Equisetum arvense tea.
- To assess the safety and immunological effects of varying silicon concentrations from TEA.
- To compare the effects of two different concentrations of TEA (TEA1 and TEA2) and a low-silicon water control.
Main Methods:
- A monocentric, randomized, three-armed pilot study involving 12 healthy male volunteers.
- Participants consumed 1000 mL of TEA1 (~200,000 µg/L silicon), TEA2 (~750,000 µg/L silicon), or a control (low-silicon water) daily for three days after a low-silicon diet.
- Blood and urine samples were collected at baseline, day 1, day 3, and day 8 to analyze silicon levels, kinetics, accumulation, and immunological parameters.
Main Results:
- Intake of TEA1 resulted in a significant increase in serum silicon concentrations (Cmax 2855 µg/L at tmax 60 min).
- TEA2 also increased serum silicon (Cmax 2498 µg/L at tmax 120 min), with significantly higher 24-hour urine silica excretion compared to TEA1.
- No silicon accumulation was observed; immunological parameters remained unchanged, but TEA2 caused diarrhea in 4 subjects, indicating good tolerability for TEA1.
Conclusions:
- Equisetum arvense tea (TEA1) effectively increases serum silicon levels in healthy individuals.
- Silicon absorption from TEA is dose-dependent, with higher concentrations (TEA2) leading to increased urinary excretion and gastrointestinal side effects.
- TEA1 demonstrates a favorable safety and tolerability profile for silicon supplementation, warranting further investigation for its therapeutic potential.
