Oats Herbarium
Latin Name: Avena sativa (L.)
Family: Poaceae
Descriptive Characteristics: Chevallier (2016) calls this an annual grass. It grows to 3 feet in height. The stems are hollow and the leaves resemble blades. The seed pod looks like a spike (p. 175).
Part of the plant used: Above-ground parts. Oat straw is the dried, threshed leaf/stem; Oat bran is the outer layer of the hulled oats – soluble and insoluble fiber. Fruit is the hulled oats. Hoffman (2003) says the whole plant (p. 532).
Texture:
Color:
Aroma:
Flavor:
Constituents: Petersen (2018) says protein, fat, fiber – most water-soluble fiber of all grains; beta-glucans lower cholesterol. She explains in depth how this works. Alpha-tocotrienols which inhibit hepatic hydroxymethylgluaryl coemzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase which also helps cholesterol. The above ground parts contain soluble oligosaccharides and polysaccharides (saccharose, kestose, neokestose, beta-glucans, galatoarabinoxylans, silic acid, steroid saponins, aventic acid A and B and flavonoids. Bran: oat gum/beta-glucan, a soluble polysaccharide, increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption. Hoffman (2003) says proteins (prolamines known as avenins), c-glycosyl flavones, avenacosides (spirostanol glycosides), fixed oil, vitamin E, and starch (p. 532). Gladstar (2012) says silicon, sterols, flavonoids, starch, protein, calcium, silica, and B vitamins (p. 182). Chevallier (2016) says saponins, alkaloids, sterols, flavonoids, silicic acid, starch, proteins (gluten), vitamins (B), and minerals (calcium) (p. 175).
Therapeutic Actions: anti-inflammatory. Hoffman (2003) says nervine tonic, antidepressant, nutritive, demulcent, and vulnerary (p. 532). Gladstar (2012) says anti-inflammatory (p. 181).
Indications: Petersen (2018) breaks it down this way: Oat: acute/chronic anxiety, excitation, stress, neurasthenia syndrome, pseudoneurasthenia syndrome, weak bladder, connective tissue disorders, gout, kidney ailments, old age syndromes, opium withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal, rheumatism, skin diseases, tonic, and when used with other herbs, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, metabolic disease, diseases/discomforts of old age, anemia, hypothyroidism, neuralgia, neuritis, hematoma, pulled muscles, sexual disorders, tobacco abuse, spasms, increasing milk production, increasing performance. Topically, dry/itchy skin, weeping eczema, contact dermatitis, chickenpox, skin hydration. Also eaten as a cereal or a grain. Oat bran: heart disease, diet of low-saturated fat/cholesterol, lower cholesterol, reducing postprandial blood glucose, blocks fat absorption, prevents gallstones, reduces colon cancer risk, treats irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease. Oat fruit: hypercholesterolemia, gastrointestinal tract disorders, gallbladder disorders, kidney disorders, cardiovascular disorders, constipation, diarrhea, rheumatism, throat/chest complaints, physical fatigue, diabetes, neurasthenia, neurasthenia syndrome, prevent colon cancer, nicotine withdrawal, reduce uric acid levels, tonics, sedative, diuretic, opium withdrawal. Oat straw: topically for skin inflammation, irritation, injury, pruritus, seborrhea, warts, arthritis, paralysis, liver disorders. Folk medicine says tea for flu and cough, abdominal fatigue, bladder disorders, rheumatic disorders, eye ailments, frostbite, gout, impetigo, metabolic disorders, and a foot bath for chronically cold/tired feet (p. 140-1). Hoffman (2003) says oats “feed” the nervous system, especially stress, nervous disability, exhaustion with depression, relaxant/stimulant when used with other herbs, strengthens nervous system, and general debility (p. 532). Clark (2011) says beneficial to the nervous system, calms/relaxes the body, Topically, its used for skin irritation, chicken pox, eczema, hives, measles, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, shingles, and sprains/muscle aches (p. 46, 94). Gladstar (2012) says the green milky tops are great for the nervous system because of the nutrients they provide, relaxing stress, exhaustion, irritation, anxiety, multiple sclerosis (nerve endings which help fatigue, muscles, and nerve function), and hyperactivity. Oats combined with oatstraw strengthen bones and provide calcium. Oatmeal helps when ill and sooth skin – itchy, sunburn, facials (p. 181-2). Chevallier (2016) says rheumatism, itchy skin, leprosy, nutrition, muscle function, stamina, cholesterol, tonic, general debility, nervous conditions, antidepressant, increase energy levels, stressed nervous system, depression, nervous debility, insomnia due to nerves, and convalescence. Externally, cleansing and emollient, itchiness, and eczema (p. 175)
Formulary:
Nature’s Prescriptions (2008)
Menopause-related fatigue and weakness (p. 168): mix equal parts ginger, oat straw, gingko biloba, and Siberian ginseng. Drink as a tea, cook with it or add powdered to capsules.
Clark (2011)
Chicken pox (p. 70): oat bath
Roseola (p. 92): oat bath
Gladstar (2012)
Heartease Tea (p. 146): grief, seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
Creaky Bones and Achy Joints High Calcium Tea (p. 178): achy joints and pains of growth spurts
Pregnancy Tonic Tea (p. 179): provides essential vitamins and minerals
Oatmeal for Dry, Chapped Skin (p. 182)
Heart-Healthy Oatmeal (p. 183)
Restorative Oatmeal Porridge (p. 183)
Red Clover Vitamin Tonic (p. 195)
St. John’s Wort Lighten-up Tea (202)
St. John’s Tincture for SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) (p. 202)
Chevallier (2016)
Depression and decreased vitality (p. 316)
Eczema (p. 300)
Nervous Exhaustion and stress (p. 319)
Poor sleep and nervous exhaustion (p. 175)
Dosage:
Petersen (2018, p. 142-3)
Tea: 1c. throughout the day and shortly before bed. Boil 3g of above-ground parts to 250ml water then strain.
Oat straw: Topical bath: simmer 100g chopped straw in 3 liters water for 20 min. Strain. Add to bath water.
Oat bran: 3 grams consumed /day of beta-glucan. This is 38 grams of bran or 75 grams of dry cereal for reducing plasma cholesterol, cardiovascular risk, post-prandial glucose.
Fruit: for hypercholesterolemia, 56-150g of whole oats (bran or oatmeal 3.6-10 g of soluble fiber) daily. For lowering blood glucose, 25 grams of soluble fiber /day.
Hoffman (2003, p. 532)
1:5 25% Tincture: 3-5 ml 3/day
Oatstraw Infusion: 1-3 t to 1 c boiling water, steep 10-15 minutes 3/day
Bath: boil 1 pound of oatstraw in 2 quarts water for ½ hour. Strain. Add to bath. Or put cooked rolled oats in muslin bag and put in bath. For neuralgia and skin conditions.
BHP
1:5 45% Tincture: 1-5 ml 3/day
1:1 25% Fluid Extract: .6-2ml 3/day
Commission E
Dried Herb: 100g to full bath
Safety: Avoid medicinal doses while pregnant (dietary amount is safe). Bran may interact with glucose tests. Bran can cause intestinal blockages in people who don’t chew well. It contains gluten so if you have this allergy, avoid consuming it. The fruit can cause increased defecations, irritation, and gas. If this happens, reduce daily intake until there are no symptoms and slowly increase. Oat flour has caused contact dermatitis is some. May decrease absorption of medications. Take them 1 hour before consumption. Has Generally Regarded as Safe status (Petersen, 2018, p. 146-7). Hoffman (2003) says there are no side effects (p. 532).
Lab, Notes And Media:
Research:
References
(2008). Nature's Prescriptions: Foods, Vitamins, and Supplements that Prevent Disease. FC&A Medical Publishing.
Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for common Ailments. New York, NY: DK, a Division of Penguin Random House, LLC. p. 175.
Clark, D. (2011). Herbal Healing for Children: A Parent's Guide to Treatments for Common Childhood Illnesses. Healthy Living Publications. p. 45-6, 70, 91, 92, 94, 101.
Gladstar, R. (2012). Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. p. 16, 158, 180-3, 146, 178-9, 181, 195, 202, 183,
Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press. p. 532.
Peterson, D. (2018). Herb 503: Advanced Herbal Materica Medica II. American College of Healthcare Sciences. P. 139-147.
Appendix I: Constituents
Alkaloids are defined by Hoffman as "organic compounds with at least one nitrogen atom in the heterocyclic ring". This is the ONLY thing they all have in common. They are not usually soluble in water, nor are their salts. Most are also alkaline (Hoffman, 2003, p. 120-133, 152).
Alpha-tocotrienols:
Avenacosides:
Avenins (Prolamines, Proteins):
Aventic Acid A:
Aventic Acid B:
Beta-Glucan: a soluble polysaccharide, increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption
C-glycosyl Flavones:
Fat:
Fixed Oils are soluble in dietary oils and slightly soluble in ethanol. Examples are omega-3s, EFAs, PUFAs, DHA, and EPA which can be found in olive oil, palm, oil, hempseed oil, walnut oil, avocado oil, flax oil, almond oil and coconut oil (Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 45, 46, 47, 64, 85).
Flavonoids: All polyphenolic plant pigments of a specific structure. There are over 4,000 of them. These are broken down into categories: Catechins, dihydrochalones, chalones, flavanones (dihydroflavones), flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanides, aurones, flavanols, and flavonols. This general property is immunomodulatory due to antioxidant/free-radical scavenging ability (Hoffman, 2006, p. 100-102, 152, 167, 170, 174).
Galactoarabinoxylans:
Gluten (Protein):
Kestose (Polysaccharide):
Minerals: This just means the plant/herb is a good source of at least one mineral.
Neokestone (Polysaccharide):
Oat gum (soluble polysaccharide) increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption.
Oligosaccharide (Carbohydrate) is water-soluble, especially hot water. Molecularly, these are bonds of 10 or less monosaccharides. Hoffman talk about how these are often prebiotics. While these are not bioavailable to our bodies, they feed the microflora in the human gut which helps keep our system healthy. These prebiotics can be anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and glucose-modulating (Hoffman, 2003, p. 41, 43; Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 63, 73, 77).
Polysaccharides (Mucilage) activate the macrophages which initiates the body’s defenses against pathogens and cancer cells (Hoffman, 2003, p. 544).
Prolamines (Proteins):
Proteins are building blocks of the body. Proteins are listed on many pages and have many functions in the body. These can be water-soluble but it depends on pH. They do break down over time in alcohol (Ganora, 2009, p. 11, 22, 24, 45, 65, 77, 92, 101). Instead, I'm using my anatomy book. Proteins are the basic building blocks of the body and do so many things for us. Really, just listing "protein" isn't very helpful. Though, i felt the need to list this because there are many break-downs of types of proteins, such as amino acids. (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019, p. 48) The difference in the 2 sources, the first is in how the plant uses it, the second is how the human body uses it. Sometimes they differ. In this instance, they do not but the human body one was easier understood for those who don't have Ganora's book in front of them.
Saccharose (Polysaccharide):
Saponin can be antifertility, antihepatoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, capillary strengthening, cytotoxic, antitumor, insecticidal, antifeedant, molluscicidal, piscicidal, and plant growth inhibitors. These are listed under the heading "General Properties of Steroidal Saponins" (Hoffman, 2003, p. 81).
Silic Acid:
Silica is silicon dioxide.
Silicic Acid:
Silicon: Hoffman questions the medicinal value of silicon as he was unable to find any studies discussing it as of the time he wrote this book. He was unable to trace bioavailability (Hoffman, 2003, p. 14).
Spirostanol Glycosides (Avenacosides):
Steroidal saponins: are structured like triterpenoids but with 4 rings. These are used as detergents and re in fire extinguishers and fish poisons but are safe for human consumption. They share many of the properties of the higher level, saponins (Hoffman, 2003, p. 81).
Sterols (Aglycone Glycosides) are often used to imply phytosterols in these books. They need to be careful, though because sterols are found in animals while the same molecule can be called a phytosterol because it is found in a plant. calling it a sterol when it's in a plant can cause confusion (Ganora, 2009, p. 92, 93).
Alkaloids are defined by Hoffman as "organic compounds with at least one nitrogen atom in the heterocyclic ring". This is the ONLY thing they all have in common. They are not usually soluble in water, nor are their salts. Most are also alkaline (Hoffman, 2003, p. 120-133, 152).
Alpha-tocotrienols:
Avenacosides:
Avenins (Prolamines, Proteins):
Aventic Acid A:
Aventic Acid B:
Beta-Glucan: a soluble polysaccharide, increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption
C-glycosyl Flavones:
Fat:
Fixed Oils are soluble in dietary oils and slightly soluble in ethanol. Examples are omega-3s, EFAs, PUFAs, DHA, and EPA which can be found in olive oil, palm, oil, hempseed oil, walnut oil, avocado oil, flax oil, almond oil and coconut oil (Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 45, 46, 47, 64, 85).
Flavonoids: All polyphenolic plant pigments of a specific structure. There are over 4,000 of them. These are broken down into categories: Catechins, dihydrochalones, chalones, flavanones (dihydroflavones), flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanides, aurones, flavanols, and flavonols. This general property is immunomodulatory due to antioxidant/free-radical scavenging ability (Hoffman, 2006, p. 100-102, 152, 167, 170, 174).
Galactoarabinoxylans:
Gluten (Protein):
Kestose (Polysaccharide):
Minerals: This just means the plant/herb is a good source of at least one mineral.
Neokestone (Polysaccharide):
Oat gum (soluble polysaccharide) increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption.
Oligosaccharide (Carbohydrate) is water-soluble, especially hot water. Molecularly, these are bonds of 10 or less monosaccharides. Hoffman talk about how these are often prebiotics. While these are not bioavailable to our bodies, they feed the microflora in the human gut which helps keep our system healthy. These prebiotics can be anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and glucose-modulating (Hoffman, 2003, p. 41, 43; Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 63, 73, 77).
Polysaccharides (Mucilage) activate the macrophages which initiates the body’s defenses against pathogens and cancer cells (Hoffman, 2003, p. 544).
Prolamines (Proteins):
Proteins are building blocks of the body. Proteins are listed on many pages and have many functions in the body. These can be water-soluble but it depends on pH. They do break down over time in alcohol (Ganora, 2009, p. 11, 22, 24, 45, 65, 77, 92, 101). Instead, I'm using my anatomy book. Proteins are the basic building blocks of the body and do so many things for us. Really, just listing "protein" isn't very helpful. Though, i felt the need to list this because there are many break-downs of types of proteins, such as amino acids. (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019, p. 48) The difference in the 2 sources, the first is in how the plant uses it, the second is how the human body uses it. Sometimes they differ. In this instance, they do not but the human body one was easier understood for those who don't have Ganora's book in front of them.
Saccharose (Polysaccharide):
Saponin can be antifertility, antihepatoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, capillary strengthening, cytotoxic, antitumor, insecticidal, antifeedant, molluscicidal, piscicidal, and plant growth inhibitors. These are listed under the heading "General Properties of Steroidal Saponins" (Hoffman, 2003, p. 81).
Silic Acid:
Silica is silicon dioxide.
Silicic Acid:
Silicon: Hoffman questions the medicinal value of silicon as he was unable to find any studies discussing it as of the time he wrote this book. He was unable to trace bioavailability (Hoffman, 2003, p. 14).
Spirostanol Glycosides (Avenacosides):
Steroidal saponins: are structured like triterpenoids but with 4 rings. These are used as detergents and re in fire extinguishers and fish poisons but are safe for human consumption. They share many of the properties of the higher level, saponins (Hoffman, 2003, p. 81).
Sterols (Aglycone Glycosides) are often used to imply phytosterols in these books. They need to be careful, though because sterols are found in animals while the same molecule can be called a phytosterol because it is found in a plant. calling it a sterol when it's in a plant can cause confusion (Ganora, 2009, p. 92, 93).
Appendix II: Therapeutic Actions
Antidepressant just means it helps people deal with their depression.
Anti-inflammatory is much more than "brings down inflammation". There are many things that cause inflammation: infection, auto-immune stimuli, or mechanical injury. As a result, you can't just use ANY anti-inflammatory. Understanding the nature of the inflammation is vital for proper treatment. It's important to remember inflammation is a SYMPTOM and anti-inflammatories should be taken with other things to address the root problem. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 158-9, 243, 247, 487-90)
Demulcents soothe inflamed tissue (Griffin, 1997, p. 8). These tend to be mucilaginous. Meaning they "lube" up the tissues to reduce the inflammation. This would be why 2 of the tinctures I did were so thick, they didn't want to strain well and were slimy to touch.
Nutritive is also self-explanatory. These herbs supply vitamins and minerals the body needs for optimal health. Many prefer to take the vitamin they buy in the store but what else is in there? This would be the better option if it's available to you.
Nervines: These calm and nourish the nervous system, promote mental clarity, and relieve spasms, pain and congestion. There are 2 types: warming helps with chronic issues, insomnia being a good example. Cooling helps with anger, hypertension, and migraines (Griffin, 1997, p. 10).
Vulneraries promote cell growth/repair (griffin, 1997, p. 11).
Antidepressant just means it helps people deal with their depression.
Anti-inflammatory is much more than "brings down inflammation". There are many things that cause inflammation: infection, auto-immune stimuli, or mechanical injury. As a result, you can't just use ANY anti-inflammatory. Understanding the nature of the inflammation is vital for proper treatment. It's important to remember inflammation is a SYMPTOM and anti-inflammatories should be taken with other things to address the root problem. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 158-9, 243, 247, 487-90)
Demulcents soothe inflamed tissue (Griffin, 1997, p. 8). These tend to be mucilaginous. Meaning they "lube" up the tissues to reduce the inflammation. This would be why 2 of the tinctures I did were so thick, they didn't want to strain well and were slimy to touch.
Nutritive is also self-explanatory. These herbs supply vitamins and minerals the body needs for optimal health. Many prefer to take the vitamin they buy in the store but what else is in there? This would be the better option if it's available to you.
Nervines: These calm and nourish the nervous system, promote mental clarity, and relieve spasms, pain and congestion. There are 2 types: warming helps with chronic issues, insomnia being a good example. Cooling helps with anger, hypertension, and migraines (Griffin, 1997, p. 10).
Vulneraries promote cell growth/repair (griffin, 1997, p. 11).
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