OATS
Avena fatua (wild) A. sativa (cultivated)
Common Names: Wild oats, milky oats, oatstraw, oatgrass Family: Poaceae, Gramineae Part/s Used: Milky, unripe seeds for fresh tincture preparations. Dry oat stems for tea (oatstraw) Energetics: Neutral to warm Taste: Sweet, salty, bland Actions: Trophorestorative, nervine, nutritive tonic, adaptogen, alterative, anxiolytic, reproductive tonic Organ System Affinity: Nervous system Tissue State: Dry/atrophy Constituents: Proteins, glycosides, avenin, avenacines A and B, histamine, hordenine, trigonelline, flavonoids Nutritional properties: Vitamins A,C,E, K. Many B vitamins including B6, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine. Oats are rich in minerals such as calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon and sodium. It contains low to average amounts of colbolt, manganese, potassium, selium and tin. Additionally, oat straw contains protein and amino acids such as arginine, histandine, leucine, lysine, phenylalaine and tryptophan. Planet: Moon Element: Air |
Medicinal Preparations:Tincture: Fresh 1:3 or 1:4 95%Drops: 10-30 Times a day: 4x Glycerite: Fresh 1:3 or 1:4 Glycerin 50% Alcohol 50% Tea: Hot/cold infusion/decoction (Steep for 4 hours) Ounces: 8-12 Times a Day: 3-4 |
Habitat and Botanical Description:
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Medicinal Uses: |
Harvesting:Harvesting wild oats is a wonderful pastime. They grow abundantly throughout the country, and is considered invasive! They can be harvested freely, with no limitation. Find a deserted or abandoned field in late spring when the oat grains are green and plump and excrete a milky sap (the medicine) when squeezed between two fingers. The time to harvest this sap is a relatively short, lasting only about a week. When ready, pinch the middle of the stem between your two fingers just below the branches and slide up the stem popping the grains off. Once the seeds grains are harvested cut the at grass just above the soil level and make bundles. Upon returning home, tincture the fresh seeds immediately. Once the stalks are dry, cut into smaller pieces (oatstraw), jar and label. |
Contraindications:
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Recommended Products: |
Oat Straw Harvest Prayer by Diane Perazzo Oat straw ancient one |
Sources:
- Avena Fatua. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avena_fatua. April 2022
- Cunningfolk, Alexis J. Nourishing the Soul. Milky oats plant profile.
- Dellman, Jesse. Milky Oat: Nourishment for the nerves. https://ravensongherbals.com/blog-post/milky-oat-nourishment-for-the-nerves. August 2021
- Edwards, Gail Faith. The Way of the Wild Heart. Oat straw Avena sativa. https://gailfaithedwards.com/2012/07/11/oatstraw-avena-sativa/
- Gladstar, Rosemary. The Science and Art of Herbalism. A Home-Study Course. Lesson 1
- Herbal Academy. The Herbarium. Monographs: Oat.
- Northeast School of Botanical Medicine. Avena-A Monograph on Oats as medicine. https://7song.com/avena-a-monograph-on-oats-as-medicine/ . April 2022
- Perazzo, Diane Finkle. Oat Straw Harvest Prayer. https://dianeperazzo.com/2019/10/07/oat-straw-harvest-prayer/ April 2022
- Popham, Sajah. Alchemical Herbalism Course. School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Lecture Notes; 2020
- Popham, Sajah. The Vitalist Herbal Practitioner Program. School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Lecture Notes; 2021
- Sinadinos, Christa. The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine. Fieldbrook, CA; 2020
- Sinadinos, Christa. Northwest School for Botanical Studies Course. Lecture Notes; 2014
- Worts and Cunning Apothecary. http://www.wortsandcunning.com/blog/nourishing-the-soul-milky-oat-plant-profile. April 2022
Disclosure: This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.