Herb Facts: Oat Straw

Thanks to our good sister Divine Iz Earth for providing a wonderful education on the properties of various herbs.

After reading this article for the first time, I studied oat straw and found it to be very versatile. We shall begin with an introduction to this herb by the NGE Health Practitioners, then add some other information I found during futher research. I have not used oat straw, but it sounds fantastic!

Teaching: Childbearing & Child rearing
HERB OF THE MONTH: Oat Straw

The leaves, stems and other green parts (sometimes called “oat straw”) of the oat plant are used to help restore a depleted or debilitated nervous system and aid with coping in times of stress or nervous exhaustion.  Herbalists consider this herb a gentle and reliable nervous system tonic, capable of calming or energizing as required.  Even the very frail or anxious patient can take this herb.

Infuse 1 to 1 ½  teaspoons (3g) dried oats greens in boiling water; drink 3 cups per day.  Children over 4 years can take up to half the adult dose.

Other therapeutic uses include:

1.      High energy food and protein source - builds muscle tone
2.      Gentle restorative tonic after illness –increase stamina
3.      Helps lower cholesterol levels in blood
4.      Topical application alleviates skin irritations
5.      Decreases anxiety levels

Do not use oats if you have celiac disease of gluten tolerance.

Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them.  Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.


For further study:

Oat straw is rich in calcium and magnesium. It can be used for both physical and nervous fatigue and is helpful for depression. Oat straw also contains B-complex vitamins, silica, calcium, flavones, saponins, and vitamin A.

Oat straw has been found to be an excellent toner for the whole system. Oat Straw is useful for thyroid and estrogen deficiency, for MS (multiple sclerosis), osteoporosis, appetite loss, anorexia, urinary concerns, colds and chills and to encourage sweating. It's secondary uses are boils, weak bones, bursitis, constipation, gallbladder, kidney problems, liver disorders, pancreatic concerns, rheumatism, and some skin conditions.

This herb increases internal heat, dispels internal chill, strengthens metabolism and circulation, relieves symptoms of depression, prevents and relieves spasms, softens and soothes damaged or inflamed surfaces such as the gastric mucous membranes, strengthens functional activity of the nervous system, helps with the process of assimilating food and has the property of nourishing, and restores, nourishes, and supports the entire body; it exerts a gently strengthening effect on the body.

Oat straw is not a quick fix herb, it is an herb that can be quite effective if used on a regular basis over time. Every person and every situation is different, but a general guideline could be to drink two to three cups of infusion, three or four times a week. It is slow to act in the system but has a long lasting effect.

This tea may be used with the following Bach Flowers Essences for anxiety: A dose is 1-4 drops, taken as needed. Aspen (anxious about the future); Mimulus (anxious about the past); Red Chestnut (anxious about the safety of others); Elm (overwhelming anxiety); Rock Rose (anxiety that escalates into panic).

Oat straw may also be added to the bath to help relieve overall nervous body tensions and combines well with Lemon Balm for this purpose.

Oat straw infusion is also loaded with calcium, with one cup containing up to 300 mg. This herb has been taken by menopausal women to help retard effects of osteoporosis.

The preceeding info courtesy of localharvest.com, however, the article now appears to be unavailable.