Avena sativa
Family: Gramineae (Grass Family)
Other Common Names:
Groats, herb oats, oatgrass, oats,
wild oats.
Habitat: Oat straw grows in moderate temperatures such as
Northern Europe. It grows well in dry wastelands, cultivated ground and
meadows alike. It is a hardy zone 2-type plant that can be grown in
heavier soils although it normally prefers sandy or loamy soils. It
requires good drainage but can grow in a high acid soil. It does require
sun, and cannot grow in the shade. Oat straw tolerates drought well.
Although it is widely distributed as a cereal crop it is just as often
found in garden beds, or planted to prevent soil erosion. The fruit,
seeds and straw are typically gathered in August.
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.
Constituents: saponins, alkaloids (trigonelline and avenine), a
sterol, flavonoids, starch, protein (gluten), fats, minerals (including
silica, iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, zinc), vitamin b
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.
Medicinal use of wild Oats: Whilst used mainly as a food, wild
oat grain does also have medicinal properties. In particular Wild Oats
are a nutritious food that gently restores vigour after debilitating
illnesses, helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood and also
increases stamina. The seed is a mealy nutritive herb that is
antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, emollient, nervine and stimulant. The
seed contains the antitumor compound b-sitosterol and has been used as a
folk remedy for tumours. A gruel made from the ground seed is used as a
mild nutritious aliment in inflammatory cases, fevers and after
parturition. It should be avoided in cases of dyspepsia accompanied with
acidity of the stomach. A tincture of the ground seed in alcohol is
useful as a nervine and uterine tonic. A decoction strained into a bath
will help to soothe itchiness and eczema. A poultice made from the
ground seeds is used in the treatment of eczema and dry skin. When
consumed regularly, oat germ reduces blood cholesterol levels. Oat straw
and the grain are prescribed to treat general debility and a wide range
of nervous conditions. They are of particular value in helping a person
to cope with the exhaustion that results from multiple sclerosis,
chronic neurological pain and insomnia. Wild Oats are thought to
stimulate sufficient nervous energy to help relieve insomnia. An
alcoholic extraction of Wild Oats has been reported to be a deterrent
for smoking, though reports that oat extract helped correct the tobacco
habit have been disproven. A tincture of the plant has been used as a
nerve stimulant and to treat opium addiction.
Avena sativa seeds are available
Seeds are open-pollinated.Organic from Kashmir Himalaya
50 seeds per packet
Other pacakages : 100,250 seeds
