Botanical name: Avena sativa
© Steven Foster
Parts used and where grown
The common oat used in herbal supplements and foods is derived from cultivated sources. For
some herbal supplements, the green or rapidly dried aerial parts of the plant are harvested
just before reaching full flower. Many herbal texts refer to using the fruits (seeds) or green
tops. Although some herb texts discuss oat straw, there is little medicinal action in this
part of the plant.
Oats have been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Historical or traditional use (may
or may not be supported by scientific studies)
In folk medicine, oats are used by herbalists to treat nervous exhaustion, insomnia, and “weakness of the nerves.” A
tea made from oats was thought by herbalists to be useful in rheumatic conditions and to treat
water retention. A tincture of the green tops
of oats was also used to help with withdrawal from tobacco addiction.1 Oats were
often used in baths to treat insomnia and
anxiety as well as a variety of skin conditions, including burns and
eczema.
Active constituents
The fruits (seeds) contain alkaloids, such as gramine and avenine, and saponins, such as
avenacosides A and B.2 The seeds are also rich in iron,
manganese, and zinc. The straw is high in
silica. Oat alkaloids are believed to account for the relaxing action of oats, but it should
be noted this continues to be debated in Europe. The German Commission E does not approve this
herb as a sedative.3 However, an alcohol-based tincture of the fresh plant has
reportedly shown some promise in countering nicotine withdrawal and helping with smoking
cessation.4
How much is usually taken?
A tea can be made from a heaping tablespoonful (approximately 15 grams) of oats brewed with
1 cup (250 ml) of boiling water. After cooling and straining, the tea can be taken several
times a day and shortly before going to bed.5 As a tincture, oats are often taken
at 1/2–1 teaspoon (3–5 ml) three times per day. Capsules or tablets, 1–4
grams per day, can be taken. A soothing bath to ease irritated skin can be made by running the
bath water through a sock containing several tablespoons of oats, then bathing in the water
for several minutes.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Oats are not associated with any adverse effects.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with oats.
References:1. Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Gothenburg, Sweden: Ab Arcanum,
1988, 287–8.
2. Mills SY. Out of the Earth: The Essential Book of Herbal
Medicine. Middlesex, UK: Viking Arcana, 1991, 510–2.
3. Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton,
FL: CRC Press, 1994, 96–8.
4. Anand CL. Effect of Avena sativa on cigarette smoking.
Nature 1974;233:496.
5. Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton,
FL: CRC Press, 1994, 96–8.