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>It has ocurred to me that silica (or silicon) may be beneficial in
>healing the gut wall since it is essential for the maintainance of mucous
>membrane linings in the body. Horsetail is an excellent source of natural
>silica and I was wondering if it is gluten free?  Thank you for all your
>interesting and very informative postings.
>                                -Portia

Portia,

I would say that the ancient plant, horsetail (Equisetum), is not likely to
have the harmful protein amino acid sequences that cause damage in celiac
disease. (As usual, I have to caution that this plant has not been tested in
a scientific way, and I am making a guess based on taxonomy, but probably
only wheat can be put in the scientifically tested category.) Horsetails
were around long before any flowering plants, including the grasses,
developed on the earth.  However, I don't know whether or not horsetails are
a good thing to eat.  My guess is that they are not, but perhaps Joe Murray
can help us on this.  Many horsetails contain silica deposits that are very
abrasive and might damage the digestive tract.  In colonial times,
horsetails were used for scouring pots.  Horsetails are rather amazing
plants; they plague me by pushing right up through my concrete driveway at
times. They will not be denied and I have never found a way to get rid of them.

Don Kasarda