Wild Oat
avena fatua
avena sativa
Avena

ACTIONS ~ medicinal properties
antidepressant
antispasmodic
aphrodisiac
cerebral tonic
demulcent
diaphoretic
endocrine tonic
nervine
nerve tonic
nutritive
rejuvenative
stimulant
uterine tonic
vulnerary

Oat is typically available as a tea, tincture, or capsule.
Primary constituents include saponins,
flavonoids, starch, alkaloids (trigonelline, avenine),
steroids, calcium, iron, B-Vitamins, lysine, and methionine.

Oat has been used historically as an antispasmodic, nervine, and stimulant.

Oats are used primarily for their nutritional value;
they are of particular benefit in special diets for convalescents or for those
with certain illnesses, including gastronenteritis and dyspepsia.

Oat extract and tincture are useful as nerve and uterine tonics.

A tea made from oat straw has been recommended in the past
for chest problems.

In Europe, oat straw is used for various baths, which, when taken
regularly, are helpful support for a number of ailments:

Full Bath
Good for rheumatic problems, lumbago,
paralysis, liver ailments and gout, kidney, and gravel problems.

Bath herb
(Oatstraw or Oatmeal) to soften skin and to help eczema and neuralgia.

Sitzbath
Good for bladder and abdominal problems, intestinal, colic, and bedwetting.

Footbath
Good for tired or chronically cold feet.

Local Wash
Good for skin diseases, flaky skin, frostbite, chilblains,
wounds, and eye problems.
Oat was used historically in India
to help opium, morphine and cigarette addicts kick their habits.

Highly nutritive and supportive of the nervous system,
Oatstraw helps build healthy bones, skin, hair and nails.

It helps relieve exhaustion, depression, spasms, lumbago and paralysis.

Oatstraw is not a bona fide aphrodisiac, but it does nourish the nerves,
making tactile sensations more pleasurable.

Historical culinary uses for Oat include the consumption of oat grain
from the ripened seed which is high in protein and helps to increase stamina.

Oat bran (fiber) eaten as food has been shown
to lower cholesterol levels.

Consumption of Oat is generally regarded as safe.