To make a strong infusion you use a good handful of chopped dried horsetail per 2-3 cups of water. Pour the hot water over the herbs and let the tea steep for at least 15 minutes or up to several hours. This tea can also be used as a skin tonic.

Inhaling crystalline silica can lead to serious, sometimes fatal illnesses including silicosis, lung cancer, tuberculosis (in those with silicosis), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, silica exposure has been linked to other illnesses including renal disease and other cancers.

Good food sources of silica include whole grain bread and pasta, oatmeal, brown rice, oat and wheat bran cereals, bananas, mangos, green beans, spinach, and believe it or not, beer.

Silica, on the other hand, is an essential nutrient needed to help produce collagen in your body. The big difference? Collagen provides the readily available base for an instant collagen ‘top-up’, while silica helps to produce collagen.

Based on the available data, the CIR Expert Panel concluded that Silica, Hydrated Silica, Alumina Magnesium Metasilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Aluminum Iron Silicates and Sodium Potassium Aluminum Silicate were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products.

Read on for the best collagen supplements.

• Best Overall: Ancient Nutrition Multi Collagen Protein Powder.
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• Best for Hair Growth: Nutrafol Women Hair Growth Supplement.
• Best Grass-Fed: Vital Proteins Collagen Whey Protein Dark Chocolate & Coconut Water.

We’re including our top choice, Solgar’s Oceanic Silica from Red Algae. This silica supplement is naturally marine-derived and vegan, kosher, and dairy-free. Silica is one of the Earth’s most abundant compounds and is naturally found in plants, rocks, clay, sand, and some animals.

The recommended daily amount of silica for adults ranging in age from 19-50 years old is 9-14 mg/day. Silica is found in plants and some herbs such as horsetail, and in high-fiber foods including whole grains, rice, fruits and vegetables.

With no evidence to suggest harmful effects from taking dietary silica, it is recommended that healthy individuals get a maximum of 700–1,750 mg per day.

Silica can boost the production of bone-building cells and decrease the number of cells that break down and compromise the strength of our bones. It may also improve hair, skin, and nail quality by stabilizing collagen synthesis.

Silica improves collagen production: Studies have shown that silica can help to form the building blocks of collagen, a protein found in your skin, cartilage, blood, muscles and ligaments that helps to keep your skin elastic.

Silica dust particles are tiny, over 100 times smaller than the sand you see on the beaches. If you are exposed to silica dust in the workplace, this can cause many chronic health problems including kidney damage and kidney failure. The more you are exposed, the greater the risk.

Silicone itself is made up of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and silicon. Note that the ingredient contained within silicone is spelt differently. The ingredient silicon comes from silica which is derived from sand. It’s then mixed with the other chemicals to create silicone.

Silica has widespread industrial applications including use as a food additive, i.e., anti-caking agent, as a means to clarify beverages, control viscosity, as an anti-foaming agent, dough modifier, and as an excipient in drugs and vitamins.

Silicone isn’t a toxic chemical. In fact, it’s completely safe to apply to your hair and won’t harm your physical health in any way. The only thing it can affect is the strength and appearance of your hair. A weighty feel, dryness, and hard-to-remove buildup are common silicone concerns.

10 Toxic Ingredients to avoid when buying hair care products.

• Parabens.
• Triclosan.
• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
• Polyethylene Glycol aka PEGs.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) / Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES).
• Phthalates.
• Dimethicone.
• Triethanolamine.

At the end of the day, the choice to use products with or without silicones is entirely up to you. That said, if you’re looking for some extra moisture, frizz protection, or serious damage repair, a silicone-free shampoo and conditioner may not necessarily give you the results that you’re looking for.