Benefits of Fresh Milky Oat
Avena sativa, or common oat, is a highly beneficial plant for human affairs. It can be food, medicine, animal feed, alcohol, building material, cover crops, and more. Including oatmeal in the diet can help reduce unwanted cholesterol, reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease. In addition, it adds dietary fiber to promote regularity and increases the probiotic population due to its prebiotic beta-glucan content. Used medicinally in extracts, Oatstraw is rich in minerals, especially silica, which support dozens of metabolic processes in the body, most notably the strengthening connective tissue and feeding the nerves.
For only one week out of its growing cycle, the Oat tops produce a milky substance which, left alone, becomes the nutrient-dense grain we commonly use as food. However, a tincture of the Oat tops in the milky stage (Milky Oat) will contain certain flavonoids that provide the most nourishing nerve restorative in the entire herbal materia medica. Taken regularly, people report feeling calm, centered, and less reactive to stressors in their lives without sedating mental faculties. The milk also contains isovitexin, which allows our endogenous dopamine to circulate longer in our bodies, helping us feel more grounded and engaged with our environment.
When the nervous system is depleted beyond its capabilities, a person may experience fatigue, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, insomnia, impotence, and general weakness. This depleted state can even lead to unhealthy or even addictive behaviors in attempts to feel better, even for a short time. Milky oats have long been used to prevent and treat these conditions, as well as low libido, menopausal depression, insufficient lactation, and postpartum symptoms. Its reputation as an aphrodisiac in both men and women may have given rise to the saying “sow your wild oats”. In addition, the effect of increasing circulating dopamine is more recently being studied for cognitive performance.
Oat is a gentle, safe, and powerful herb that can be used to restore vitality, promote restful sleep, improve cognition, and help us feel more grounded and connected in our lives.
Wildish Botanicals is a collaborative apothecary located at 3327 SE Hawthorne Blvd Portland, Oregon. They offer ethically- and locally-sourced botanicals, guidance, and supplies to support everyoneís pathway to healing. They source most of their bulk herbs within 300-miles of their shop and support cultivators who value a healthy balance between productivity and sustainability.
For more info: wildishpdx.com
