Oatstraw (Avena sativa)
Parts used: Whole plant (I like infusing the milky buds along with the “straw” part of the plant).
Properties: nutritive, tonic, demulcent, nervine, anti-spasmodic, anti-depressant, cooling, febrifuge, diuretic, diaphoretic, carminative
Nutrients: Calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc, vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, E, and amino acids.
Gifts: Oatstraw acts as an anti-depressant and restorative nerve tonic. This makes it ideal for those experiencing stress, exhaustion, nervous breakdowns, or grief. Regular use eases inflammation in your body – which is especially helpful for those with crohn’s disease, lupus, or other autoimmune diseases. It’s a wonderful source of calcium for those wishing to strengthen their bones, teeth, and nails. To get your daily calcium supplement add a pinch of horsetail (Equisetum arvense) in your oat straw infusion. Oatstraw has been known as a love tonic for centuries, because of its ability to nourish your nervous system and clean out the circulatory system, increasing your sensitivity to touch. Oatstraw is also a powerful restorative for those who are just plain worn out.
Keep it simple: Oatstraw is a wonderful restorative tonic especially helpful to those feeling stressed or worn out.
