Oats
Avena Sativa
Latin Name: Avena Sativa
Common Name: Oats, Wild oats, Milky oats, Oatstraw, Oat tops
Family: Poaceae
Contraindications: no known contraindications
Native To: modern-day Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Palestine and domesticated in northern europe
Botanical Description: Oats are in the grass family and can grow up to 5ft high in the right conditions. They have long narrow and pointed leaves that grow upwards from sheath of the stalk (culms). At the top, the plant produces loose clusters of spikelets, which are the flowering parts of the plant. Oats are known as three different types of food and medicine:
Oatmeal is made from mature, dried oat seeds processed for eating.
Milky oat tops are harvested during a 7-10 day window when the green seeds are still immature and they contain a white milky latex-like substance.
Oat straw is the dried stem of the plant.
Habitat: fertile, well drained soil most often found growing in farms and gardens as cover crop or animal fodder.
Parts Used: immature flower heads, dried stems (technically called a culm), and leaves
Key Constituents: Proteins like the glutenous Avenins, C-glycosyl flavones, avenacosides, saponins, sterols, calcium, magnesium and Vitamin E, Vitamin B. Straw rich in silicic acid; mucin and calcium.
Herbal Actions: adaptogen, nervine tonic, nutritive
Taste: Sweet
Energetics: neutral, moistening
Some Ways To Work With This Plant:
Nervous system aid- the milky substance of the immature flowers are known as a nervine trophorestorative, because they help nourish and restore a depleted nervous system. Unlike fast-acting calming herbs, milky oats are most effective when taken consistently over weeks or months.
Herbal Preparations:
Tincture - Fresh milky oats are best for tinctures, the alcohol helps to extract the latex substance. Use 80% alcohol in a 1:2 ratio and place ingredients in a blender which will breakdown the plant matter so that less alcohol is needed. Once blended together, you should notice a bright lime green color mash.
Tea — dried oat tops or straw can be used in a cold brew tea for nutritive formulas.
Oats combine well with other nervous system support herbs like Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Blue vervain (Verbena hastata), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Rose (Rosa species), and Wood betony (Betonica officinalis).
References:
Wild Oats a Useful Nervine- 7Song, Northeast School of Botanical Medicine
Oats Monograph- written by Lara Pacheco for Herb Rally
written by Amara Ullauri
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Use with caution and consult with a doctor or herbalist before consuming if you are pregnant or on other medications. Please do your own research before consuming to know if this medicine is right for your body.
