Oats

Avena sativa

Oats are a wonderfully nutritious remedy, full of protein, calcium, magnesium, silicon, potassium, iron and vitamins. Their bodybuilding nutrients help make strong bones and teeth and are vital to a healthy nervous system - oats have traditionally been used as a nerve tonic to treat depression, debility and nervous exhaustion. They are helpful when withdrawing from tranquilizers and antidepressants. While being stimulating and energy-giving, they are also relaxing and aid sleep. Since oats are easily digested they make an ideal food for the chronically sick, convalescents and when recovering from childbirth. Oats have the ability to regulate estrogen levels. Oat fibre can significantly lower blood cholesterol, helping to combat cardiovascular disease. Oat can be helpful for high blood pressure, obesity, varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Oats have been used as a soothing remedy for irritated conditions of the digestive tract, and for problems such as diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis and constipation. Oat fibre produces bulkier stools and speeds their passage through the gut, reducing the exposure of the gut lining to irritants and carcinogens. This is why oat fibre is said to help prevent cancer of the bowel. Oats are also thought to protect against cancer generally. Another exciting discovery is that oats are helpful to diabetics as they lower blood sugar. They are also useful for fluid retention.

Other names

• Avena Sativa
• Common Oats
• Groats
• Wild Oats

Parts used

Grain, straw (dried sterns).

Uses

Oats are best known as a nutritious cereal, but they benefit the health in numerous other ways. Oat bran lowers cholesterol, and an oat-based diet may improve stamina (see Research, below). Oats, and oat straw in particular, are tonic when taken medicinally. Oat straw is prescribed by medical herbalists to treat general debility and a wide variety of nervous conditions. The grains and straw are mildly antidepressant, gently raising energy levels and supporting an over-stressed nervous system. Oats are used to treat depression and nervous exhaustion, as well as the profound lethargy that results from multiple sclerosis, chronic neurological pain, and insomnia. With insomnia, oats are thought to stimulate sufficient nervous energy to make sleep possible. Oats are on of the principal herbal aids to convalescence after a long illness.  Externally, the grain is emollient and cleansing, and a decoction strained into a bath can help soothe itchiness and eczema.
Oats is also used to treat gardnerella and nonspecific vaginitis, facial paralysis, triglycerides (TGs), and xanthomatosis.

HOMEOPATHY
Most oats are used for feeding livestock, but some are processed for breakfast foods. Oats are a nutritive food and are used as a nerve tonic in both herbalism and homeopathy.
Avena is used mainly as a tincture to strengthen the nerves, in nervous exhaustion, or for worry and anxiety. It is also said to help impotence and is very useful in treating nervousness and insomnia in alcoholics and heavy drinkers.

Habitat & cultivation

Native to northern Europe, oats are now grown worldwide in temperate regions as a cereal crop. They are harvested in late summer.

Research

In research in Australia, athletes who were placed on an oat-based diet for 3 weeks showed a 4% increase in stamina. Oats are thought to help maintain muscle function during training and exercise

Constituents

Oats contain saponins, flavonoids, many minerals, alkaloids, steroidal compounds, vitamins B1, B2, D, E, carotene, wheat protein (gluten), starch, fat.

How much to take

Oats can be eaten as a morning breakfast cereal. A tea can be made from a heaping tablespoonful of oats brewed with 250 ml (1 cup) of boiling water; after cooling and straining, the tea can be drunk several times a day or shortly before going to bed. As a tincture, oats are often taken at 3 - 5 ml three times per day. Encapsulated or tableted products can be used in the amount of 1-4 grams per day. A soothing bath to ease irritated skin can be made by running the bath water through a sock containing several tablespoons of oats.

Side effects

Oats are not associated with any adverse effects, although individuals with gluten sensitivity (celiac disease) should use oats with caution.

Applications

OAT STRAW:

FLUID EXTRACT - Take doses of 2-3 ml for insomnia, anxiety, and depression. (The tincture can be used similarly.) Combines well with vervain. Also makes a nutritive addition to remedies for colds and chills to encourage sweating.

DECOCTION - Make from the whole  dried plant, and use for the same ailments as the fluid extract.

WASH - Use the decoction as a healing wash for skin conditions.

GRAIN:

POULTICE - Use an oatmeal poultice for skin conditions such as eczema, cold sores, and shingles.

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