Avena Sativa Herbal Information
NAME
Oats
LATIN NAME
Avena sativa
ALSO KNOWN AS
Oat Straw, Oatmeal, common oat.
ORIGIN
Probably the oldest known oat grains were found in Egypt among remains of the 12th Dynasty, which was about 2,000 B.C. These probably were weeds and not actually cultivated by the Egyptians. The oldest known cultivated oats were found in caves in Switzerland that are believed to belong to the Bronze Age. Today Oats are largely a European and North American crop.
PARTS USED
Oat Straw, Seeds and whole plant
TRADITIONAL HERBAL USES AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES This is a nourishing herb that is good for debility, nervous exhaustion and recovery during long convalescence. It is a very sustaining herb and can help build up the ability to recover from long term illness and it can work as a long term treatment for nervous debility such as shingles, herpes, neuralgia, neuritis, multiple sclerosis, reoccurring colds and chronic depression. Oat straw can be very helpful in the recovery from addiction, including recovery from alcohol, tobacco, tranquillizers and other drugs. So Oat straw can be calming and yet uplifting and is of great help psychologically as well as physically.
Avena Sativa combines well with Skullcap when used for depression.
FOLKLORE AND HISTORY
In folk medicine, oats were used to treat nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and "weakness of the nerves." A tea made from oats was thought to be useful in rheumatic conditions and to treat water retention. A tincture of the green tops of oats was also used to help with withdrawal from tobacco addiction. Oats were often used in baths to treat insomnia and anxiety as well as a variety of skin conditions, including burns and eczema.
CONSTITUENTS
Seeds: 50% starch; alkaloids including trigonelline and avenine; saponins;flavones; sterols; vitamin B.
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE
Oat Straw Herbal Tincture
1-3ml up to 3 times per day.
Extaction ratio 1:3
Alcohol Vol. 25%
or as recommended by a herbal practitioner.
PRECAUTIONS
None known, however proceed with caution if sensitive to gluten { celiacs disease. }
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