oat
avena sativa
fresh milky oat tops from zack woods herb farm
Avena sativa. Oats. Oatmeal. Oatstraw. Milky Oat Tops. Milky Oat Seed. All different harvests of the same gentle, but potent plant. All nutritive, reparative food for the nervous systems, but with different affinities & applications.
A system in the body is in its trophic state when in the most vital expression of itself. So trophorestoratives are herbs that with long term use, can restore optimal vitality & function to a system that has suffered chronic damage. Neurotrophorestoratives, then, are herbs that can gradually restore the nervous system when it has endured chronic stress- something that is all too common & overlooked in a society steadily assailed by media & the unprecedented demands of life in the 21st century. When it comes to neurotrophorestoratives, avena sativa reigns supreme, loyally serving those of us who are:
EXHAUSTED.
DEPLETED.
ANXIOUS.
STRESSED.
overworked.
overstimulated.
oversensitive.
dried out.
jumpy.
or coping with pms,
cramps,
low libido,
adhd,
brain fog,
hypothyroidism
& depression.
in other words.. we ALL need it for something.
Lubricating to protect & nourish the gut’s mucosal layer, mineral-rich to repair & maintain bone & teeth health & abundant in bioavailable MAGNESIUM, this nervine is FOOD FOR THE NERVES & ADRENALS.
It’s subtle diuretic properties lend it to lymphatic stagnation- lessening water retention, edema & inflammation. High silica content provides reinforcement in matters of the brain: brain fog, mental capacity, depression.
She’s a stellar source of magnesium- something we are ALL deficient in due to soil levels worldwide, and something that is essential for cramps, muscle tension, headaches & SLEEP. Oats also deliver Vitamins B1, B2 & C, selenium, chromium and iron. The cascade of minerals that pour from this plant provide nourishing hydration at a cellular level- supporting fertility, gut-soothing mucilage and energy. Its calming, soothing & sweet nature make it a great ally for kids.
In her book Body Into Balance, Maria Noël Graves reccomends on leaning on this subtle superhero “in times of depletion & overstimulation: stress, anxiety, overwork, adrenal fatigue, attention deficit, hyperactivity, all nighters, coffee-slugging cubicle work & harried road trips.”
To reap the benefits requires long term use- use regularly for several weeks - months to remedy states of depletion. When it comes to water extractions, a long steeping period will extract the full spectrum of the medicinal value. We recommend an overnight infusion for our tea blend. If quicker preparations are more your speed, we have elixir & electuary options that have already done the long extraction for you- simply dissolve some oatstraw-infused honey into an instant cup of tea, or stir an oxymel into water or a cocktail!
Dried, we love oatstraw. But when it comes to the milky oat seed/ tops- medicinal value is exponentially more potent when these beauties are harvested & processed FRESH- a brief window that usually presents itself in August. We get ours from Zack Woods Herb Farm, in Hyde Park, VT.*
F I N D I T I N :
{ nourishing nervine oxymel }
Unrivaled champion of the nerves & adrenals, silky milky oat seed stars in this cast of merry men, accompanied by dusky tulsi, the potent adaptogen, & gladdening nervine lemon balm to deliver {as Robin Hood did} soothing support to the stressed & depleted. Relish daily as is, pair with spirits for a sublime cocktail or add to water: sparkling or still. Shake well before sipping. Steal from the rich & give to the poor, or at the very least, TAX THE RICH.
{ zack woods herb farm milky oat tops & lemon balm with children of the night rainbow tulsi in side hill cider mill raw barrel-aged apple cider vinegar & brigham apiaries raw honey }
{ tonic tea blend }
4 oz
DRINK YOUR GREENS. Ancient superfood nettle for its iron, calcium, vitamins A & C is partnered here with magnesium-rich oatstraw, food for the nerves & adrenals. Uplifting nervines lemon balm & rose brighten this blend with grounding skullcap to ease the busy mind. Pour boiling water over herbs, cover & let steep for 20 minutes - several hours / overnight. Use 1 tablespoon herb per cup of water, or 1/4 cup of herb per quart jar of water. Consume daily to build vitamin & mineral supplies while tonifying the nervous system. Bottoms up!
{ zack woods herb farm nettle & lemon balm, our friendly allies farm oatstraw & skullcap with organic egyptian roses }
{a floral electuary}
Both uplifting & relaxing, rose gold is our luxurious & aromatic nervine-infused herbal honey. Queen of preservation since the days of old, honey encapsulates with supreme integrity the nutrients, vitamins, minerals & flavor found in plants. Use a teaspoon in hot water instead of a teabag, on toast, or by the spoonful.
{ organic egyptian rose petals, wild linden blossoms, wilson herb farm chamomile & our friendly allies farm oatstraw in brigham apiaries raw honey }
