Avena Sativa – Oats
Avena Sativa is a great restorative herbal plant that has many medicinal properties. Avena Sativa is commonly known as Oats and the seeds of this plant are used medicinally. Avena Sativa can be used topically, it is soothing and anti-inflammatory due to its mucilaginous properties. A great treatment for insect bites, eczema, poison oak/ivy and contact dermatitis, oats can be placed in a thin sock or bag and added to a bath, allow them to steep and ring the sock or bag out a few times while you soak in the water.
Avena is also a powerful restorative remedy for the nervous system. Whether we are dealing with exhaustion due to lifestyle or illness, we can dose Avena long term to help restore and support the nervous system. A great conjuctive remedy that can be used to help treat addictions and can help people rebound from addictions to caffeine, tobacco and other drugs. Avena is often used to help treat insomnia in patients who have difficulty staying asleep.
Oats when used as food have many nutritive properties, they are a good source of selenium which is an important cofactor to gulathione peroxidase (a wonderful antioxidant). Selenium is also involved in DNA repair and is associated with a reduced risk for cancer. Oats contain beta glucans which are polysaccharides with many beneficial properties. Beta glucans activate the immune system and enhance your body’s ability to respond to a bacterial infection. Neutrophils, a type of immune cell, that navigate to the site of an infection and eliminate bacteria are helped in this process by beta-glucan. Beta glucans are a special fiber that also help lower cholesterol levels. Eating one bowl of oatmeal a day helps lower your total cholesterol by 8-23%. Beta glucans also have a beneficial effect on helping lower serum glucose and insulin levels.
Avena Sativa or Oats are a great, nutritive herbal remedy to include in your diet.
Donna McCord
I never knew all this about oats! I have always loved oatmeal but had cut it out of my diet as I had been advised by a nutritionist that it is a grain not well suited for my metabolic type. I haven’t really missed it, but reading this makes me wonder if I shouldn’t reconsider or question why oats are not good for me? They sound very powerful! I should ask my mom if she eats oats for breakfast — she has a tendency toward high cholesterol and maybe this would help!
Judy Stone-Goldman
Is this why the products “Aveno” are called that? Never knew what the name referred to. I do use some products with oats in them, and I eat steel cut oatmeal that I get packaged gluten free. Glad to learn it has so many beneficial properties. My understanding is that a lot of regular rolled oats are too processed and thus don’t offer as much nutritionally, but perhaps all oats are good for you.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
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VIcki Dello Joio
I love avena sativa and have used the tincture as a nervine for years. I never realized it was the same as the grain, tho and thought it was a different genus. Love that you mention cholesterol—my mom completely balanced hers by eating a daily bowl of oatmeal and taking red rice yeast supplements. Thanks for this useful informative piece!
Dina Colman
This reminds me of Hippocrates’ quote, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Too often in today’s world, people reach for OTC products if they have an insect bite or are exposed to poison oak, when something as natural as oats could come to the rescue! This blog is a great reminder that there are natural remedies to so many health issues.
I’m wondering how you would suggest getting oats in the diet – simply by eating oatmeal? We do hear so much about steel cut being important so that the nutrients are still in tact. It sounds like from Vicki’s post that avena sativa comes in a tincture. I would be interested to hear whether eating oatmeal versus taking it in a tincture matters for the effectiveness of the health benefits you list.
Laurie Hurley
You always explain such complicated things so easily. Now I know how Aveeno lotion and bath soak got it’s name. I had no clue oats were so healthy and could be used in so many different ways for so many different ailments. I eat oatmeal almost every morning when the weather gets cool. It sticks with me and is one of the few foods I can tolerate if I eat before I go for my morning run. Thanks for the great information!
Maureena Bivins PhD, LAc
I really like the suggestion to use oaks in a sock while soaking in the tube. I love “kitchen remedies”–using foods we usually have on hand to support our health and well-being.
Maureena Bivins, PhD
http://www.maureenabivinsphd.org
Innovative Health Care Practitioner
Kirk Zacharda
Very interesting will this work on shoulder soreness. Does it have natural ibuprofen like properties, I have been looking for a natural form of Ibuprofen. I love using nature to heal the body it only seems natural to use what we have been given instead of man making it.
Imogen Ragone
Very interesting and informative post. I, too, had not made the connection between the name Avena and oats. I love oats, and since greatly reducing the amount of wheat in my diet over the last year I eat oats most days for breakfast – either steel cut or whole rolled oats. I find them very satisfying. I knew they were good for me – but not all this. I will remember oats next time I get an insect bite. Thanks for the great tips.
Pat Zahn
Now I know where “Aveena” got it’s name… I love oats – those with gluten-intolerance need to be mindful of the oats they buy. Does one take a high dosage some way to treat eczema?
Susan Berland
Who knew all this about oats? Well, obviously you! I’ve heard of Avina but never knew it was oats. I always learn so much from reading your posts!
Wendee Neilson
WOW, I knew oats were great but this really super great. I wonder if the Avena Sativa if that is the name of the oats or a brand. I’ve only eaten steel cut or that other one in the round container that I can’t remember. I used to eat the steel cut oats with cinnamon and dried apples when the doctor I had seen said it was too many carbohydrates and I needed to eat protein in the am for my low blood sugar..but I seem to eat more at night before bed with milk and butter. Thanks for the great info.
Julieanne Case
I didn’t know oats had such a pretty name! I knew oats were good for you but didn’t realize all the ways it could be used. It’s just another piece of evidence that if we eat whole grains, non processed foods, we would all be healthier. I love the info you shared here. Thank you.
Julieanne Case
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Brenda Jones
I enjoyed reading this today. I finally got my child to eat oatmeal by way of an oatmeal cookie. I know, not the best, but we’re doing baby steps. Until now, I could only mix baby oatmeal into her applesauce and she’s almost 4. I spent the morning researching healthy oatmeal “cookie” recipes to make breakfast “cookies” for her. Found a few flour free ones using things like banana and flax that I’m hoping to try soon.
Rowena Starling
Well now. Just as I was abandoning Oats, you have ‘schooled me’ thoroughly. Got tired of them but now have a renewed interest in their awesome power!
Jennifer Peek
I love oatmeal! I’ve been eating the steel cut variety for breakfast nearly every morning for over the past 3 years. At times, I’ve wondered whether I wouldn’t be better off eating a “healthier” grain – but reading this, I am thinking that it would be hard to find one much healthier! I had no idea of all of the wonderful benefits. Now, I can keep having my oatmeal and know that I am on the right track.
Tracey Fisher
I love oatmeal! Although the way I eat it is probably not the healthiest, but after I eat it, I always feel great! Thanks for explaining the many different ways oats can enrich out lives.
Dr. Mundeir
Hi Donna,
I know according to the Peter D’Adamo blood type diet – some Type O Blood type people may not do as well with Oats. Don’t know if the nutritionist was basing it on that or the fact that oats can often be contaminated with wheat/gluten if processed on the same machines.
Dr. Mundeir
Aveno does have oats in it! Steel cut oats are healthier because they are processed less than the rolled oats.
Dr. Mundeir
Hi Vicki,
The common oat is Avena Sativa. The tincture is wonderfully supportive to the nervous system, glad that you have enjoyed its benefits.
Dr. Mundeir
Hi Dina,
Hippocrates’ quote should be applied in our lives more often than it is. People are so disconnected from their food and what their diet should be. Steel cut oats are the best option because they are less processed. If you are looking for nervous system support, I recommend the tincture. If you are looking for the cholesterol lowering effects – I would recommend the steel cut oats. Hope that helps.
Dr. Mundeir
Glad you enjoyed the post, Laurie!
Dr. Mundeir
Home remedies are so helpful, especially since they are non-toxic and often have no side effects!
Dr. Mundeir
Hi Kirk, Avena does not have ibuprofen like properties. If you are looking for anti-inflammatory herbs – you may consider herbs such as turmeric and boswelia.
Wen
I didn’t know about the beta glucans in oats, and the selenium. I have been eating brazil nuts to get my selenium. I love oatstraw tea, I mix it with nettles and lemongrass for a relaxing blend. Thanks for the info!
Jeremy Steel
A perfect breakfast to keep healthy and stay strong. Can’t wait for your next seminar.
Sabline
Who new! I will be adding the oats in the sock for bath time to my bag of tricks!
Dr. Mundeir
Imogen, Glad you enjoyed the post.
Dr. Mundeir
Pat, you are absolutely correct, people who are gluten intolerant need to make sure they buy oats that have not been contaminated with gluten. For eczema, taking an oat bath can be a soothing topical treatment.
Dr. Mundeir
Thanks Susan!
Dr. Mundeir
Hi Wendee,
You can add nuts to your oats to help add a little bit of protein, or maybe have a hard boiled egg alongside. Thank you for your comment.
Dr. Mundeir
Thank you for your comment Julieanne.
Dr. Mundeir
Hi Brenda,
Baby steps in the right direction, that is all anyone can do. Kudos to you for getting your child to eat ‘oatmeal cookies’, I’m sure they were a healthy version and that they will get healthier
Dr. Mundeir
Rowena,
Great! Good to know that you’ll be giving oats another chance!
Dr. Mundeir
Jennifer, you are on the right track! thank you for your comment!
Dr. Mundeir
Tracey, you’re taking step in the right direction just by eating oatmeal. Maybe during the next few weeks you can try 1-2 changes in your oatmeal that can make it healthier? Such as adding nuts or fruit.
Dr. Mundeir
Oatstraw tea, how nutritive! I didn’t even mention that in my post, thanks for bringing it up, Wendy!
ALarrow
Avena – one that I often use with my patients. Dr. Mundeir you seem to highlight different aspects of the herb, that make me think of more patients I can use this and all the herbs you have blogged about.
I’m off to enjoy some avena tincture in my tea as I sit down to finish chart notes and blogs!