Oats

Latin Name: Avena sativa (4, 7, 8)

Part(s) Used: immature seed [aka tops, milky oats] (6, 7, 8), whole
plant (6, 7), oat stem [aka straw] (4, 8)

Energetics: neutral (8), moistening (8)

Key Actions: whole plant - nutritive (4, 6, 7), nervine tonic (6, 7).
Grain - hypocholesterolemic (3, 8). milky oats – antidepressant (4, 6,
8).

Medicinal Uses:
Scientific studies of oats have primarily focused on the use of the
grain to lower cholesterol (8). A purified fiber containing 80% beta-
glucan was found to be statistically effective in reducing low density
lipoprotein (LDL - bad) cholesterol (1, 10, 11) without changing high
density lipoprotein (HDL - good) cholesterol (1). The grain is also
used topically for irritations such as sunburn and eczema (4, 6, 7, 9).

Primary traditional uses for oatstraw are as a nutritive herb (4, 6, 7) and nervine tonic (6, 7). It nearly matches
nettle (Urtica dioica) as an herbal multivitamin (4), but is gentler energetically (8) and in taste (4). It regulates
and strengthens the nervous system, repairing damage from chronic tension and stress (6, 9). As such, and
because of its mild taste, it blends well with adaptogens on the calmer end of the spectrum and nervines (5).

Fresh milky oats are specific for acute, severe manifestations of the same nervous conditions as oatstraw (8).
They also blend well with adaptogens on the calmer end of the spectrum and nervines (5). It has been
proposed that they may be helpful in nervous conditions related to certain drug withdrawal, including
alcohol, nicotine, and coffee (4), though this is not currently supported by scientific studies. Milky oats are
also used in protocols for attention issues and hyperactivity in both children and adults (4, 12).

Studies have also shown oats to be promising as an antihypertensive and for blood glucose control (2).

Other Uses:
Food herb [grain] (3, 9)
Bath [grain, straw] (6, 7, 9)
Hair rinse [straw] (9)
Flower essence helps a person find meaningful direction. (5, 9)

Preparations and Dosages:

Hot infusion or super infusion – 1 tsp [per cup] to a full ounce [per quart] (2, 4)
Tincture [straw] (dried 1:5 in 25%) – 3 to 5 mL three times per day (7), [milky oats] (fresh 1:2 in 75%) (3)

Cautions:
Contraindicated for those who are allergic to oats, avenins (4, 5)
No known side effects from Avena sativa itself (7, 9)
Gluten contamination possible depending on where and how processed (4)
Sources:
1. Braaten, J. T., Wood, P. J., Scott, F. W., Wolynetz, M. S., Lowe, M. K., Bradley-White, P., & Collins, M.
W. (1994). Oat beta-glucan reduces blood cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic
subjects. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 48(7), 465–474.
2. Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2015). Herbs & Natural Supplements: An evidence-based guide (4th ed.).
Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia.
3. Cech, R. (2016). Making Plant Medicine. Williams, OR: Herbal Reads LLC.
4. Groves, M. N. (2016). Body into Balance: An herbal guide to holistic self-care. North Adams, MA: Storey
Publishing.
5. Groves, M. N. (2019). Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies: How to create a customized herb garden to
support your health & well-being. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
6. Hoffmann, D. (1998). The Herbal Handbook: A user's guide to medical herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing
Arts Press.
7. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The science and practice of herbal medicine. Rochester, VT:
Healing Arts Press.
8. Oat monograph. https://herbarium.theherbalacademy.com/monographs/#/monograph/2032
9. Weed, S. S. (1989). Wise Woman Herbal Healing Wise (30th Anniversary ed.). Woodstock, NY: Ash Tree
Publishing.
10. Wolever, T., Gibbs, A., Brand-Miller, J., Duncan, A., Hart, V., Lamarche B., Tosh, S., & Duss, R. (2011).
Bioactive oat β-glucan reduces LDL cholesterol in Caucasians and non-Caucasians. Nutrition Journal,
10(130).
11. Wolever, T., Tosh, S., Gibbs, A., Brand-Miller, J., Duncan, A., Hart, V., Lamarche, B., Thomson, B.,
Duss, R., Wood, P. J. (2010). Physicochemical properties of oat β-glucan influence its ability to reduce
serum LDL cholesterol in humans: a randomized clinical trial. The American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, 92(4), 723–732.
12. Wood, M. (2004). The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism: Basic doctrine, energetics, and
classification. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
13. PICTURE: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Illustration_Avena_sativa0.jpg