Avena Sativa (Oats) are thought to have come from Eastern Europe or Western Asia, and they are now cultivated in temperate regions throughout the old and new world.
Contents
Uses
Loss of libido in both sexes Impotence Premature ejaculation Anxiety Nervous system tonic Weakness and nervous exhaustion Restless sleep from overexcitement Used with Valerian root to ease withdrawal from tranquilizers PMS with scanty menstruation and cramps Exhaustion after childbirth and during breast-feeding Baths for eczema.
Benefits
- Sex Booster: Wild oats may be a mild sexual enhancer, according to Dr. Ray Sahelian, author of “Natural Sex Boosters.” However, he notes that most claims for sexual enhancement rely on research done in the 1980s by the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco, a company that marketed avena sativa products. In the animal kingdom, Balch notes that stallions that are fed wild oats are said to become lustful.
- Inflammation Fighter: Wild oats can help you fight inflammation, advises the online-newspaper, The Oregonian. Molecules in oats called avenanthramides help reduce levels of inflammatory cytokines, which are immune system chemicals. Lowering cytokines is a good idea because when levels are high they raise risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, advise The YOU Docs columnists Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen in The Oregonian.
- Heart Health Booster: Wild oats can boost heart health. Avena sativa helps you lower the “bad” low density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol levels as well as overall cholesterol levels, according to a Canadian study published in the “European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.” This is due to the main component of the oats’ soluble fiber, called beta-glucan, according to lead study author J.T. Braaten of the University of Ottawa. Wild oats may help reduce your waistline at the same time, which further reduces risk for coronary heart disease, advises Venezuelan researcher N. Reyna-Villasmil, who authored a 2007 study published in the “American Journal of Therapeutics.” Avena sativa helps you to lower risk for heart-threatening blood clots and keeps your arteries flexible as well, according to Oz and Roizen.
- ADD Helper: If you or a loved one suffers attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, you may benefit from avena’s sedative properties, according to Balch. Herbalists use avena to reduce symptoms of methylphenidate withdrawal and to alleviate mild depression for adults with such conditions. However, science is lacking for this use, making it controversial. Before you try any sort of alternative therapy, especially one that is controversial, you need to consult with your doctor, advises the National Resource Center on AD/HD.
Cautions
Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Avena Sativa Herbal Supplement.
Other Names
Oats Milky Seed or Oatstraw
References
Source: LiveStrong, http://www.livestrong.com/article/126352-benefits-avena-sativa/
Herbswisdom, http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-avena-sativa.html
Herbalextractplus, http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/avena-sativa.html
Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons