Avena Sativa
Meet avena sativa, also called oatstraw.
This plant often gets called by its two different medicinal plant parts. The milky oat tops and the oat straw. And while there is some cross over healing properties between both plant parts, they are also uniquely their own.
The milky oat tops are known as a nervine trophorestorative, helping to soothe frayed nerves from the inside- out. Milky oats is even said to have properties that help balance endocrine disruptors. The oat straw is known as the bone broth of herbs and is highly nutrative and nourishing. Both of these plant parts are high in mineralizing nutrients like silica and magnesium. Oat straw has mucilagenous qualities that act as an emolient. This is great for lubricating dry tissue states. Oat is known to be soothing topically to a variety of skin conditions, such as rashes from poison oak. The oats are high in flavanoids and serve as a very nutrient rich food source. Milky oat tops and oat straw also act as a reproductive tonic by relaxing the reproductive system and lubricating it in the process. How rad!
This plant can be found growing abundantly in disturbed fields and along roadsides. Here in Santa Cruz, California I see this plant growing practically all year long.
The milky oat tops are only present for a very short period time, about a week or so. This is the best time to harvest those tops. Because during this stage the milky substance containing silica and magnesium are highly present. You can harvest the straw when it is still green and add to your herbal infusions or making a nourishing tincture.
Dry the straw to enjoy this plant part year round in your blends and medicine. But be mindful of those two black seeds in the tops. I recommend harvesting and processing this plant away from your pets. As the seeds can easily be choked on or get logged into your animals nose/throat.
How amazing is it that we have access to medicine right in our own neighborhoods!
Family: Poaceae
Native habitat: Iran and Iraq
Parts Used: milky oat tops and oat straw
Tastes:
Oat straw- sweet,salty
Oat Tops- sweet, salty
Identification:
Growing at least 4 ft tall and in disturbed fields and roadsides this tall grass has leaves that are dull green and have a sand paper-y feel
The tops have two black seeds that stick out of the top
Easily identifiable from other grasses by those two long black sides sticking out of the milky oat tops
Herbal Energetics:
Moistening
Cooling
Relaxant/toning
Herbal Actions:
Tops- nervine tonic, nutritive, nervine trophorestorative, sedative, emolient
Straw- nutritive, cardiovascular tonic, reproductive tonic, toning, nervine tonic
Tissue State Indications:
Avena sativa may help balance these tissue states:
dry/atrophy
heat/excitation
tension/constriction
Subtle body wisdom:
Building a stable base takes time
It is important to nourish our root system
We can have a nourished root system & sway with the wind, remaining flexible to life’s inevitable changes.
We can build the capacity to find calm in frayed states.
We are stronger together.
Be patient when rebuilding.
Please remember to always use at least 3 identification sources when wildcrafting. Also be mindful of where you are harvesting. For example, making sure the plants are not near roadways or somewhere they can become polluted by exhaust or pesticides.
Disclaimer: These articles are for educational purposes only, they are not a substitution for professional medical advice, and as the reader you are responsible for your own health decisions.
