Avena Sativa (Oats)

Other Common Names: Avena, Common Oat, Cultivated Oat, Dousar, Oat, Oatmeal, Oats, Yulaf

Range: N. Europe; Britain; Chile; Iraq; Spain; Turkey; USA

Habitat: Dry wasteland, cultivated ground and meadows, especially on heavier soils

Whilst used mainly as a food, oat grain does also have medicinal properties. In particular oats are a nutritious food that gently restores vigour after debilitating illnesses, helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood and also increases stamina.

The seed is a mealy nutritive herb that is antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, emollient, nervine and stimulant. A gruel made from the ground seed is used as a mild nutritious aliment in inflammatory cases, fevers and after parturition. It should be avoided in cases of dyspepsia accompanied with acidity of the stomach. A tincture of the ground seed in alcohol is useful as a nervine and uterine tonic. A decoction strained into a bath will help to soothe itchiness and eczema.

A poultice made from the ground seeds is used in the treatment of eczema and dry skin.

When consumed regularly, oat germ reduces blood cholesterol levels.

Oat straw and the grain are prescribed to treat general debility and a wide range of nervous conditions. They are mildly antidepressant, gently raising energy levels and supporting an over-stressed nervous system. They are of particular value in helping a person to cope with the exhaustion that results from multiple sclerosis, chronic neurological pain and insomnia. Oats are thought to stimulate sufficient nervous energy to help relieve insomnia.

The seed ripens in the latter half of summer and, when harvested and dried, can store for several years. It has a flouy texture and a mild, somewhat creamy flavor. It can be used as a staple food crop in either savory or sweet dishes. Used as a cereal, it is probably best known as the breakfast cereal porridge but it can also be used in many other ways. The seed can be sprouted and used in salads, the grain can also be ground into a flour and used in making biscuits, sourdough etc. The seed is especially good for convallescents and people with stomach problems. Oats are also one of the cereals used as a basic ingredient for making whisky.

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute. An edible oil is obtained from the seed, it is used in the manufacture of breakfast cereals.

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