STEINER'S PROPOSITION:
'... when the Moon influences are too strong the soil is overly enlivened and the vitality works too strongly from below... because of the effect of the Moon, there is insufficient force for seed formation...as a result, the seed, or the upper part of the plant becomes a kind of soil for other organisms. Parasites and all kind of fungi appear... We need to relieve the soil of the excessive lunar force; we need to find some way of reducing the water's mediating capacity, of giving the soil more earthiness so that the water that is present does not absorb the excess lunar influences. We accomplish this by making a fairly concentrated tea out of Equisetum arvense, which we dilute and use as a kind of liquid manure on the fields where we want to combat blight and similar diseases.... very small amounts, a kind of homeopathic application, will be sufficient.
ESOTERIC COMMENT:
Helps plants to form seeds.
ABOUT THE PLANT:
Also knows as 'Horsetail', a rush-like perennial related to ferns. A unique plant with two distinctive types of stems. One variety of stem grows early in spring and looks like asparagus, except for its brown colour and spore-containing cones on top. The mature form of the herb, appearing in summer, has branched, thin, green, sterile stems and looks like a feathery tail.
Properties: Contains up to 70% silica, traces of the alkaloids nicotine, palustrine, and palustrinine; flavonoids; saponins; phytosterols; tannins; and the minerals manganese, potassium, sulphur, and magnesium. Tissue strengthening, stringent, diuretic, kidney stones, helps stop bleeding.
PRACTICAL FARMING CONSIDERATIONS:
Harvest time: spring. Dry the plant. Add 100g to 2 litres of water and bring to boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Let tea settle for a few days. 
HOW TO APPLY 508:
Sprinkle or spray soil around plants as often as you like, especially at Full and New Moon.