Milky Oats (Avena sativa)

Herb Profile

As an herbalist, I consider Oats to be one of the most nourishing herbs out there. Most likely all of us have tried (or commonly enjoy) oatmeal. A breakfast staple in many homes (not to mention the increasing number of "Oat" milk beverages out there nowadays), this "commonplace" plant is actually also a medicinal herb! For those who don't already know, "oatmeal" comes from the same plant as "milky oat seed" (the herbal extract we are using this week) and "oat straw" (another medicinal part of the plant that is commonly used in herbal teas). In fact, the entire Oat plant carries many virtues and the fact that it is currently having a trendy spotlight "moment" in the Oat milk era does not upset me since this plant has a long, humble history beforehand. In addition to being easy to source, this plant grows abundantly and even helps replenish the soil content of fields where it is planted (oftentimes farmers will plant Oats as a "cover crop" in between other plantings and harvests).

So beyond enjoying creamy Oat milk lattes and comforting bowls of oatmeal, what else is there to love about Oats? And what exactly are "milky oats"? Let's dive into this nourishing plant together.

Food for the Nervous System

While oatmeal is nourishing food for the body, fresh Milky Oats extract is "food" for the nervous system. It is considered a slow-acting nervous system tonic herb and nervine that helps