I was 22 years old and working in a health food store when I met a frazzled customer asking for help for her hot flashes and insomnia.

Her eyes were anxious, her voice raspy, and the feeling was desperate.
Out tumbled the story of her heart-wrenching divorce that coincided with her mother's too-soon passing.

My heart ached for her, the distress and prolonged grief were palpable. It had been a rough two years of losing two of the people she loved most.

I observed pale, dry skin, a wiry frame, and a sense that this person hadn't had proper nourishment in a very long time.

She could barely bring herself to eat anything because her bowels spasmed, but it was the hot flashes and anxiety that troubled her the most, preventing any decent sleep leaving her feeling "crazy".

I was only a few years out of herbal school, and in the middle of my homeopathic training. My confidence was still growing as a practitioner.

As I listened to her story, I was overwhelmed with a desire to help this woman. I wanted to do what I could to help ease her suffering. I could come up with a list of herbs, vitamins, and supplements, but her urgency left me unable to wrap my head around all the possibilities and arrive at a clear protocol.

To buy me time to craft a protocol and to give her something right now, I gave her Milky Oats.

I knew thick infusions of Oats (Avena sativa) would help her. The shop I was working at only had dried Milky Oats instead of fresh milky oats tincture, which would have been my preference.

But I knew the plant, in whatever form we had access to, would help.

I had imagined she might need complex formulas that would require study, so I gave her a large bag of dried Oat Tops and some Nettle, and suggested she drink 1 litre of infusion a day. Then, we could speak in a week, at which time I'd have some ideas for more constitutional formulas.

She looked quizzical as I handed her a giant bag of straw, explaining that it was the same plant as oatmeal, "but trust me, it has medicinal benefits."

She was desperate and grateful, albeit skeptical, as she purchased the bag and left the store.

A week had passed, and she didn't return as I had hoped so I could give her a hormonal-adaptogenic formula.
I was crushed and thought I failed her.

Instead, she appeared two weeks later.

I observed her skin looked brighter and healthier, there was a sparkle in her eye, and a grace with which she moved, instead of the anxious tension from a few weeks past.

"Thank you so much!" she gushed. I cannot believe it, but the Oats have been a lifesaver."

She described how they helped her sleep and cool the hot flashes. "I feel grounded, my inner reserves have come back, and even my appetite has returned."

The results were profound for her, especially considering she had felt terrible for two years with no one seeming to be able to help her.

A sweet full circle; 12 years later she sought me out to become a student in my Alchemy of Herbal Medicine Apprenticeship because of this memorable experience with herbs.

Oats

Botanical Name: Avena sativa

Botanical Family: Poaceae

Parts Used: Milky oat top, straw, mature, ripened seed

Avena is one of the best remedies for feeding the nervous system. It's indicated for nervous exhaustion, especially coupled with anxiety and depression. Most herbalists agree that this is the best all-purpose restorative herb in the Western materia medica. It is not a sedative, but rather relaxing and restorative. Avena promotes sleep and fosters an overall sense of well-being. In cases of convalescence from severe diseases, Avena can be used to strengthen resistance toandprotect from further illness by increasing vitality.

This is the herb to think of for utter and complete exhaustion. For someone who's been pushed to the edge, the demands on their nervous system and endocrine system beyond their capacity. This is the herb we think of for a nervous breakdown.

Taken over time Milky Oats helps to repair damaged nerves because it is what herbalists call a nervous system trophorestorative—these are deep tonics for the nervous system. Oats nourish slowly and deeply, guiding the nervous system out of a ‘wired and tired’ pattern (tired yet wired is a symptom of nervous exhaustion).

This is the herb to think of for people who use stimulants to push themselves through the day and have a hard time ‘turning off’.

 

 

Food

Eating oats regularly is another way to receive their good medicine. It is soothing and for the digestive tract; plus, it’s high in minerals like calcium. Just be mindful that Oats contain a similar protein to gluten, so some individuals may be sensitive. Cooked or powdered, oats can be added to baths for soothing the most intense of skin irritations and itching. It is excellent for decreasing hot flashes, especially if the person is also experiencing irritability and exhaustion during menopause. Historically,  Milky Oats has been used therapeutically for drug withdrawal, to help wean patients off opioids and nicotine. It is used in many cases of chronic inflammatory diseases.

Used topically, oatmeal is an excellent emollient and demulcent for inflamed, irritated and itchy skin. For this purpose, a clean sock or muslin bag can be filled with the crushed grain and infused in water for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, use the sock as a sponge on the affected area.

Magic & Ritual 

Avena sativa is used in rituals and ceremonies for fertility, abundance, good health, increasing joy and promoting longevity. It's ruled by the planet Venus. I love to add it to baths to increase the Venusian energy of fertility. Consider the word fertility in more ways than just childbearing. This herb is an important ally for people who are burnt out and depleted, they describe themselves as “crispy”. I use it anywhere (magically and medicinally) where people feel barrenness, scarcity, or starved on any level of their being. It’s a beautiful plant that teaches us about Plenty.

Contraindications

No side effects or drug interactions have been reported. Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance may react. This is rare, but worth considering. I

Medicine-Making

My preference is to make a tincture from the fresh milky oat top (the first photo) at a 1:3 weight-to-volume ratio. I use 75% alcohol.

If you are alcohol-free, use apple cider vinegar or vegetable glycerin as the menstruum.

 

If you don't have access to fresh plant material, you can order dried milky oat tops from any quality herb-seller that sells dried herb. While it's not as potent as fresh, it will still be effective.

Prepare dried milky oat tops at a 1:5 weight-to-volume ratio with 40% alcohol tincture. Or, once again, use apple cider vinegar or glycerin if you are alcohol free.

Second to tincture, like I did for my client, you can drink strong infusions of dried milky oat tops or dried oatstraw.

Simply fill a canning jar 3/4 of the way with the dried herb and cover with boiled water, steep for a minimum of 1-hour, and enjoy.

It's a very easy plant to grow, even in in a pot on a balcony for city-dwellers. The benefit of growing it in your garden is after you harvest, you can dig it in as a green manure. I did it this year and cannot believe how much my soil improved!

Hardiness Zone
Annual. Zones 2-11. Can be planted in the fall to overwinter in zones 8 or warmer.

Habit
Grass crop growing to 4ft tall and 8"-1ft wide.

Sun & Soil

Full sun, regular garden soil.

Germination

Milky Oats are an annual crop that can be planted in the fall or early spring for maturity in the summer or fall. They are direct-seeded in the garden in rows. They are a wonderful green manure that can be planted, then before they mature chopped down and dug into the soil for a mineral-rich fertilizer.

Care

Oats are easy to grow and need little to no care.

Do you have an Avena sativa story? I'd love to hear your experience in the comments below!

xo Seraphina