Oats
|
Botanical Name |
Avena sativa |
|
Family |
Graminaceae or Poaceae |
|
Other Names |
Groats, oatmeal |
|
Habitat |
Rough ground, waysides |
|
Description |
Annual grass up to 1.5m/5ft Stem branches from base. Leaf sheaths hairless Flowers June-August |
|
Native to |
Mediterranean |
|
Cultivated |
Worldwide |
|
Parts used |
Seeds, whole plant (know as oat straw), oatmeal is a good second best |
|
Harvesting |
Straw in midsummer, seeds later on. Flowers June-August |
|
Actions |
Anti-depressant, cardiac tonic, demulcent, nervine, thymoleptic, vulnerary |
|
Constitutes |
Alkaloids ( trigonelline and avenine), starch, fats, minerals (including silica, iron, calcium ,copper, magnesium, zinc), vitamin B Proteins, prolamines: avenin, avenalin, gliadin Starch and soluble polysaccharides, mainly beta glucans and arabinogalactans Saponin glycosides: avenacosides A and B, soyasaponin I Phytosterols: cholesterol, beta sitosterol, delta-5-avenasterol Leaves: Flavonoids: tricin glycosides, vitexin, isovitexin Amines: gramine in grain, avenic acid |
|
Nutritional |
calcium, magnesium, silicon, potassium, iron, vitamins |
|
Pharmacology |
1-4gms dried herb or grout equitant 3xs daily. Presence of gluten may be problematic in cases of gluten insensitivity – this can be eliminated by making a doctrine or tincture and taking the clear liquid from the solid after settling |
|
Combines with |
Skullcap, lady’s slipper |
|
Traditional Uses |
States of debility, nervous system. Oatmeal baths for eczema and skin |
|
Digestive |
Reduces cholesterol, aids degenerative wasting conditions such as MS, stabilises blood sugar |
|
Nervous system |
Depression, insomnia, nervousness, |