Botanical Name of Oat StrawOther Names: Avena sativa.Other Common Names:, Groats, herb oats, oatgrass, oats, wild oats<br>The mature oat plant produces the grain you know as [[oats]], often promoted as a food that can lower cholesterol.Habitat:Oat straw grows in moderate temperatures such as Northern Europe. It grows well in dry wastelands, cultivated ground however, is the green, unripe part of the plant, both leaves and stems, and meadows alike. It is a hardy zone 2-type plant that can be grown in heavier soils although it normally prefers sandy sold as Avena sativa, green oats or loamy soilswild oat extract. It requires good drainage but You can grow find it in a high acid soil. It does require sun, some health food stores and cannot grow in on the shade. Oat straw tolerates drought well. Although it is widely distributed Internet as a cereal crop it is just as often found in garden bedspowder, juice, tincture or planted to prevent soil erosion. The fruit, seeds and straw are typically gathered in Augustas a tea.Plant Description:The oat straw plant is an annual grass. It stands erect with a flat, rough, but elongated leaf. It has a golden seed shaped much like a spindle. It is in flower during June and July. The seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers have both male and female organs, and are pollinated by the wind.<br>See also :Plant Parts Used: Grain, straw, and seed. When the seed is harvested and dried – also in late summer – it can be stored for several years. It has a texture similar to flour and puts forth a mild, creamy flavor.* [[Oats]]* [[Oatmeal]]* [[Avena Sativa]] (Homeopathy)
==Special Precautions of Oat Straw==
There are no known drug or nutrient interaction associated with the use of oat straw but if you are allergic to oat flour it could be a good idea to stay clear of any products containing oat straw. Because oat straw contains gluten those suffering from celiac disease should avoid it in any form.
*It has been purported to help with the lowering of cholesterol naturally, increasing of vigor and stamina (it has been suggested to people recovering from long term illnesses as an aid to help rebuild their strength).
*The oat seeds carry antispasmodic, cardia, diuretic, emollient, nervine and stimulant properties.
*Oat straw and the grain have also been prescribed in the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions. It has also been shown to help with the exhaustion related to neurological pains or herbal treatment for insomnia, or multiple sclerosis. A tincture has been used as a nerve stimulant when treating opium addiction and it is a popular herbal remedy for anxiety and ADHD.
*It can help to combat problems such as obesity, varicose veins, irritations related to the digestive tract and as an herbal treatment for hemorrhoids, however it has been found that it should not be used in dyspepsia when accompanied by acidity of the stomach.
*Research now shows that it contains the anti-tumor compound b-sitosterol and there are some suggestions that the chances of cancer in the bowel may be reduced by eating oats regularly, as well as cancers in general.
*There is also some evidence to suggest that the consumption of the oats helps to naturally lower the blood sugar levels in the body and that it could be helpful as an herbal remedy for diabetics as well.
* [[Osteoporosis]] : Oat straw is very high in Calcium and strengthens bones and teeth by stimulating cell growth.
[[Category:Treatments]]
[[Category:herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Nervine]]