The healing properties of oats and oatmeal are pretty well-known, but a lesser-known part of the plant called oatstraw is used medicinally and boasts several therapeutic benefits.
While the common oat is a commonplace cereal grain, herbalists see oat straw as a nourishing and healing herb. If you suffer from exhaustion, stress, or insomnia, oatstraw may be a valuable ally.
Have you ever wondered why oats are such a common ingredient in breakfast cereals? To be sure, oats are nutrient-dense. The oat is one of the world’s most popular cereals, and given its multiple benefits, it’s easy to see why we consume it regularly.
Herein lies more on the health of oatstraw, its benefits, and tips to incorporate it into your daily routine.
Table of Contents
Oatstraw Defined?
Oatstraw is derived from the same plant as oats (Avena sativa). Oats have been cultivated and consumed for thousands of years and used medicinally for an equal amount of time.
Oat grains must be golden and wholly matured when harvested for cooking and culinary usage.
When grain is harvested for medicinal purposes, it should be fully grown but still green. The grains should exude a tiny bit of “milk when pushed.” Milky oats are picked at this time and have their unique medicinal properties.
Oatstraw is the stem of the oat plant that is picked concurrently with the milky green tips of the plant. It, like the rest of the plant, is nutrient-dense.
Although most people associate oats with farmers, they are resilient plants that can be cultivated in a backyard garden. Today, oats are grown on a global scale.
Oatstraw’s Nutritional Value
Oatstraw is a nutritional supplement with many physical and mental health benefits. Not only may oat aid in maintaining a healthy heart by lowering cholesterol, but it can also aid in the maintenance of good blood sugar levels and stress levels.
For millennia, the oat plant’s seeds, leaves, stems, and bran have been utilized medicinally. Apart from maintaining normal blood sugar and cholesterol levels, whole oats and oat bran can help with digestion issues, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel illness, and diarrhea. Oatmeal may even help prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, and gallstones.
Numerous benefits of oatstraw are derived from the nutrients and minerals found in green oat stalks.
Oatstraw is exceptionally high in silicon, which is excellent for the health of the skin, hair, nails, and bones. Additionally, it contains calcium, another vitamin essential for strong bones and teeth.
Additionally, zinc, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, vitamin A, and protein are vitamins and nutrients.
The calcium content is good for menopausal women, as calcium levels normally decrease. Additionally, it promotes bone health, which is critical for postmenopausal women.
Additionally, oatstraw offers numerous benefits for pregnant and nursing women, as it contains essential nutrients during these periods.
Discover the healing benefits of Oatstraw
Oatstraw is one of the most nourishing and gentle herbs on the market. It is incredibly beneficial to the nervous system and can help with sleep, stress reduction, and anxiety reduction.
Taking an oatstraw infusion regularly can help you recover from burnout and chronic stress. Milky oats, on the other hand, have their own set of therapeutic characteristics, particularly for the skin.
Now that you’re aware of the benefits of the complete oat plant, it’s time to put them to the test!
Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels Reductions
Are you suffering from high cholesterol? Including oat straw in your diet could make a world of difference. To help lower cholesterol, it is recommended to ingest 5-10 grams of soluble fiber daily (fortunately, oat straw is high in fiber, which is also beneficial for diabetics). Consuming 25 grams of soluble fiber daily may significantly drop in blood sugar.
Physical Power
If you want to improve your gym performance, an oat straw may help. Oat straw has long been used as an energy booster (with other herbs such as ginseng and Rhodiola). However, there is inadequate scientific data to support this assertion. Researchers continue to study oat straw and its potential benefits, including the ability to enhance physical performance.
Mental well-being
However, there is evidence that oat straw, also known as Avena sativa, can benefit mental health. Oat straw extract has many mental health benefits, including its capacity to cure depression and anxiety. Oat straw has been used to treat mood problems for years, while additional research is required to determine its full potential as a natural treatment for such conditions.
However, how does oat assist with anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders? One reason is that it is well-known for enhancing electrical brain activity, which improves cognitive ability.
Diarrhea Relief
There are few things more unpleasant than a severe attack of diarrhea. Fortunately, several diarrhea treatments are available, and oat straw may be one of them. According to a study conducted on 45 female Holstein calves, oats aided in protein digestion and decreased the duration of diarrhea.
Treats IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease)
Oats can aid in the resolution of a variety of digestive issues. Additionally, those with inflammatory bowel disease can benefit from oat straw as a simple remedy. The higher the fiber content, the fewer digestive tract problems develop.
Could Possibly Boost Blood Flow
In one study, adults over 60 received 1,500 mg of oat straw extract over 24 weeks. The results indicated that supplementation with oat straw extract significantly increased blood flow compared to a placebo.
Could Possibly Fight Cancer
While there is no known cure for cancer, it is preventable. Oats, for instance, are a type of beta-glucan. Beta-glucans are immunomodulators and be anticancer. Much more research is needed to validate the oat’s potential as a cancer fighter, but early indications are encouraging.
Restorative Tonic
One of the oldest and most traditional uses of oatstraw is as a nutritive tonic to restore the body and nervous system recover from prolonged stress, exhaustion, burnout, or illness.
It can also be used as a tonic during pregnancy or menopause to nourish the body and restore depleted nutrients, particularly calcium.
Over time, oatstraw acts as a tonic, restoring and rejuvenating the body. An oatstraw infusion taken daily for several weeks will rebuild the body.
For more severe cases of exhaustion or stress, milky oat tops can be used as a tincture, which acts more quickly.
Better Sleep
Oatstraw has a sedative effect on the nervous system, which aids in sleeping. An oatstraw infusion can help to relax the body and mind and alleviate insomnia.
Additionally, oatstraw is a good source of calcium and magnesium, two nutrients critical for a restful night’s sleep.
Calcium is required for the brain to synthesize melatonin from tryptophan. Magnesium is also necessary for melatonin production, and magnesium deficiency frequently manifests as insomnia.
Calms Anxiety and Stress
Along with promoting better sleep, oatstraw’s calming benefits on the nervous system can help alleviate stress, nerves, and irritability. It is a traditional nervine herb used to treat mild to moderate anxiety.
Over time, an oatstraw infusion can help gradually alleviate daily stress and depression and anxiety symptoms. According to some studies, oatstraw decreases the levels of cytokines associated with depression and other mental disorders.
For more acute symptoms of anxiety, stress, or depression, milky oat tops in tincture form may be used instead.
Enhances Libido
Surprisingly, in addition to its calming effect on the nervous system, oatstraw has increased both male and female Libido.
It is believed to accomplish this by bolstering the endocrine system and regulating the hormones associated with a healthy sexual drive. Oatstraw is frequently combined with damiana root to increase Libido.
Cardiovascular health
Just as oatmeal is a heart-healthy grain, oatstraw has similar benefits.
It is high in antioxidants known as avenanthramides, and has been shown to decrease inflammation, which plays a role in heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
One study found an oatstraw extract to improve blood flow to the heart and brain. (Impaired blood flow is another risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.)
Bone, hair, and skin health
Oatstraw contains silica, calcium, and other minerals essential for healthy hair and nails. It has an easily absorbed form of calcium that contributes to maintaining strong bones and teeth.
Oats have been used to treat itchy and dry skin for centuries. As with common oats, milky oats can be used in a warm bath to soothe and hydrate irritated skin.
Additionally, adding an oatstraw infusion to bathwater will benefit the skin and nails.
Skin Health
Have you ever heard of an oatmeal bath? There is a method to the madness. Whether you believe it or not, oat straw is a beneficial skin supplement. Oats are well-known for their ability to soothe itchy skin and may be an effective treatment for various skin irritations. Oat straw may even have the ability to accelerate wound healing.
Using Oatstraw & Milky Oats
The most frequently used method of consuming oatstraw is tea or infusion.
It is found in herbal teas to nourish pregnant women, postpartum women, and women going through menopause. Additionally, it is a key component of herbal sleep teas.
Infusion of oatstraw:
• 1 ounce dried oatstraw
• 4 cups boiling water
To make a homemade oatstraw infusion:
- Place the dried herb in a quart jar or glass container.
- Overnight, pour the boiling water over the oatstraw, cover with a cloth, and steep.
- Strain out the herbs and store them in the refrigerator if not used immediately.
The infusion can be consumed throughout the day to support your body and nervous system. Alternatively, drink a cup of it before bed to aid in sleep.
Add approximately two cups of oatstraw infusion to warm bathwater to relieve dry and itchy skin. Alternatively, combine 1/2-1 cup milky or regular oats in a muslin bag or used nylon.
Secure the bag and allow the water to run over it as you fill the bath. Squeeze the oat milk from the bag directly into the water and your skin.
Oat Straw Side Effects
Precautions
Oats, oatstraw, and milky oats are all extremely safe to consume during pregnancy and nursing. However, they are gentle enough to use on infants and small children.
The primary caution to be aware of is that gluten contamination of oats can occur during processing. Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity sufferers should use gluten-free oats and oatstraw.
It is uncommon to be allergic to oats. However, some people may be allergic to oat straw on their skin. For example, a study involving children with atopic dermatitis discovered that many participants developed skin allergy symptoms after using oat-containing products. As a result, it may be prudent to avoid oat-based products when dealing with young children — particularly infants.
Oat straw is considered safe to consume if pregnant or breastfeeding due to its high calcium and magnesium content. However, you must consult your physician before adding it to your regimen.
Dosage
Take 700 mg of oat straw extract 1–3 times daily to achieve the best results. It should always be taken with food and a minimum of 8 oz. of water. While oat straw extract has many benefits, following your doctor’s alternative dosage instructions is critical.
Summary
Oat straw extract has a plethora of benefits. First, it can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Still, it can also benefit your mental and physical health by acting as a quality treatment for digestive problems such as diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease. Does skin irritation afflict you? There is no problem. Additionally, oat straw can aid in this process (though it can also cause skin allergies in young children).
Perhaps the most significant benefit of the oat is its ability to fight cancer. Although further research is needed to determine the full extent of its cancer-fighting potency, early studies are encouraging.
There is a reason oats are so common in breakfast cereals, the most important meal of the day would be incomplete without one of the greatest herbal supplements.
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