Common Oat

Common Oat
Avena sativa L.
Family Poaceae (Gramineae Juss.)

Oat Description

Common Oat is an annual herbaceous plant, 60–120 cm tall. The roots are adventitious, fibrous. The stem is a culm: round, erect, bare, hollow in the internodes, with swollen dense nodes. Oat leaves are alternate, with long sheaths embracing the internodes, long, linear, pointed, rough, 20–40 cm. The flowers are hermaphroditic, small, green, with long awns, grouped into 2–3-flowered spikelets, which in turn form spreading panicles; the rachis of the spikelets is bare, unarticulated. The fruit is an oblong caryopsis with a groove, 6–10 mm, with a tightly adhering membranous lemma. Varieties: 'Skakun' (Galloper), 'Krechet' (Gyrfalcon), 'Hercules', 'Roland', 'Nieuwe', 'Barra'. It blooms in May–July, ripens in June–August.

 

Oat Habitat and Ecology

The homeland of oats is Mongolia, Northeast China. It is cultivated in Europe, Asia, North America, Australia, Africa. It prefers loose, moderately moist soils (pH 5.5–7.0), temperatures of 15–25 °C, watering 10–15 l/m² every 7–10 days, and does not tolerate drought. It reproduces by seeds (sowing in March–April). Yield: 2–4 t/ha. Care: weeding, nitrogen fertilization (20–30 g/m²), protection against rust and powdery mildew. Environmentally, it enriches the soil and is used in crop rotation after legumes.

 

Oat Raw Materials

Raw materials: grain (fructus Avenae), groats (fructus Avenae excorticati), flour (farina Avenae), herb (herba Avenae), straw (stramentum Avenae), flakes (Avenae contusus). Grain and flakes are harvested in June–August, dried at 30–40 °C (yield 90–95%). The herb is harvested in May–July, straw in July–August, dried at 25–35 °C (yield 20–25%). Quality: grain – light yellow, no mold; herb/straw – green, moisture ≤12%. Store in airtight containers (grain/flakes: 2 years; herb/straw: 1 year). Grain has a neutral smell, herb has a grassy smell.

 

Oat Chemical Composition

Oat seeds contain: starch (up to 60%), easily digestible protein substances (up to 18%), essential amino acids (3.3%, including tyrosine, glutamic acid 1.87%), non-essential amino acids (6.7%), fats (up to 9%), triglycerides (3.26%), phospholipids (6.32%), fatty acids (5.9%, including linoleic), flavonoids, sterols (stigmasterol, cholesterol), saponins (some with antimicrobial action), beta-sitosterol (0.04%), coumarin scopoletin, alkaloid avenin, trigonelline, choline, enzymes, sugars (glucose 0.04%, fructose 0.05%, maltose 0.02%, raffinose 0.18%, sucrose 0.9%), hemicellulose (10%), fiber (10.7%), gum, essential oil, organic acids (oxalic, malonic, erucic), vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, PP, traces of carotene A, E, biotin, folacin), salts of micro and macro elements (Fe, P, K). Herb: flavonoids, ascorbic acid (0.1%). Straw: salicylic acid, hemicellulose. Grain caloric content: 350–400 kcal/100 g.

 

Oat Action and Application

Oat has choleretic, diuretic, diaphoretic, soothing, enveloping, and anti-sclerotic effects. Oat polyphenols have anti-sclerotic action. It is used for liver diseases, kidney diseases, obesity, chronic pancreatitis, bronchial asthma, colds, fever, gout, edema, dropsy, scrofula, to increase appetite, general body tone, for exhaustion, rickets, diabetes, gastritis, enterocolitis, stomach ulcers, hepatitis, urolithiasis (urolithiasis), rheumatism (rheumatism), anemia, bronchitis, insomnia. Mucous decoctions of oats are used for diseases associated with general nutritional disorders, for asthenia, burn disease, viral hepatitis, gastritis, enterocolitis, peptic ulcer disease of the stomach and duodenum. Decoctions of oats and crushed straw have soothing, diuretic, choleretic, and diaphoretic properties; they are used for kidney diseases, liver diseases, edema, inflammatory diseases. Oat groat proteins have a lipotropic effect and are used in therapeutic nutrition for heart and liver diseases. Due to the high content of vitamin B3 and other components, positive results have been noted in the treatment of eczema, chronic dermatitis, and diathesis in children. Oat flour in the form of jelly and groats have nourishing, soothing, enveloping effects, indicated for acute inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea. Baths with oat straw decoction are recommended for rheumatism, sciatica, skin diseases, frostbite of the extremities, and constantly cold feet (sciatica). For chronic lead poisoning, oat groats without milk are introduced into the diet. Infusion of oat grain is used as a diuretic for edema, urolithiasis, in choleretic and general tonic preparations, for flatulence, and sweaty feet. Decoction of grain (boiled for more than 1 hour) is used as a mucus for the gastrointestinal tract and bronchi, as a sedative for hyperthyroidism and a hypoglycemic agent for diabetes mellitus. Decoction of grain with honey is a pleasant refreshing, strengthening drink, used for loss of appetite, exhaustion. Oat flakes are attributed the property of promoting hair growth. Alcoholic tincture of green plants collected during flowering is used as a strengthening agent for exhaustion, mental overwork, poor appetite, as a sedative, mild hypnotic for neurasthenia, insomnia, for bronchitis in smokers; in India, oat decoction is used in the treatment of opium addiction. Infusion and decoction of straw are used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, antipyretic, carminative. Poultices from a strong decoction of straw are made for diseases of the musculoskeletal system; compresses and poultices on the kidney area are used as a warming agent that expands the ureters and facilitates the passage of stones in nephrolithiasis.

 

Oat Application Precautions

Excessive use of decoctions (over 500 ml/day) or groats (over 200 g/day) can cause flatulence and diarrhea. Store raw materials at humidity ≤12%. For children under 2 years, give ≤50 g/day of groats. Do not combine with coffee or alcohol due to the risk of stomach irritation. Exercise caution if allergic to gluten. Oats can be heavy on the stomach, as they are slowly digested and produce gas; negative effects can be mitigated with lemon, quince, or a large amount of oil.

 

Oat Application Contraindications

Celiac disease, allergy to Poaceae, acute pancreatitis, severe renal failure, cholelithiasis (with large stones).

 

Oat Recipes

1. Infusion for Edema. 3 tablespoons of straw per 2 cups of boiling water, infuse for 2 hours, drink 250 ml 3–4 times a day (daily dose for 2 days).
2. Decoction for the Stomach. 1 cup of oats, pour 1 liter of water, evaporate to half the volume, strain, add 2 tablespoons of milk, boil, take 0.5–1 cup 3 times a day before meals.
3. Tea for General Tone. 1 tablespoon of grains or flakes per 2 cups of water, soak overnight, boil in the morning, drink as tea.
4. Drink for Gout. Boil 40 g of oats in 0.5 l of water, drink 100 ml 3 times a day.
5. Decoction for Inflammation. 1 tablespoon of oats, pour 2 cups of water, boil for 30–40 min, take 0.5 cup 3 times a day before meals.
6. Nourishing Decoction with Honey. Wash 1 cup of oats 6–8 times, boil in 2 cups of water until half evaporated, add 2 spoons of honey, boil for a few more minutes, drink 0.5 cup 2–3 times a day.
7. Decoction for Pancreatitis. Wash 1 cup of oats, chop, boil for 10 min in 5 cups of water, infuse, drink ¼–½ cup 30 min before meals.
8. Choleretic Decoction. Brew 1 cup of grain with 1 liter of water, evaporate to ¼ of the volume, take 0.5 cup 3–4 times a day.
9. Infusion for Liver Diseases. 30–40 g of chopped herb or straw per 1 liter of water, infuse for 2 hours, take 250 ml 3–4 times a day.
10. Choleretic Infusion. Brew 1–2 cups of grain with 1 liter of boiling water, infuse for 20 min, strain, drink chilled 0.5 cup 3 times a day.
11. Tincture for Neuroses. 20% tincture of green straw in 40% ethanol, take ½–1 teaspoon 3 times a day.
12. Tincture for Strengthening. Oat tincture (1:5 in 70% ethanol), take 20–30 drops per 1 tablespoon of water 3–4 times a day.
13. Infusion for Diabetes. 100 g of unpeeled grains per 3 cups of boiling water, take ½ cup 3–4 times a day before meals.
14. Infusion for Diabetes (alternative). 100 g of unpeeled oats, pour 1 liter of boiled water, infuse for 8–12 hours, drink 0.5 cup 3 times a day.
15. Decoction for Recovery. Boil 1 cup of unpeeled oats for 2 hours in 1 liter of water, strain, drink 100–150 ml 20–30 min before meals, course 1–1.5 months, 3–4 times a year.
16. Oat-Milk Decoction for Bronchitis. Half a cup of oats, pour 2 liters of milk, simmer for 1.5–2 hours in the oven, take 1 cup at night.
17. Tincture for Exhaustion. Tincture (1:5 in 70% ethanol), take 20–30 drops 3 times a day.
18. Decoction for the Liver. 3 cups of oats, 3 tablespoons of birch buds, 2 tablespoons of lingonberry leaves, infuse for 1 day in 4 liters of cold water, boil for 15 min, add 3 tablespoons of knotweed and 2 tablespoons of corn silk, boil for another 15 min, infuse for 45 min. Separately, boil 1 liter of water with 1 cup of crushed rosehips, boil for 10 min, infuse for 1 day. Mix both infusions, store in dark bottles in the refrigerator for no more than 5 days, drink 150 ml 4 times a day 30 min before meals, children 2–5 years – 15 ml, 5–10 years – 25 ml, over 10 years – 50 ml, course 10 days.
19. Juice for Insomnia. Fresh juice from young plants, take 20–30 drops 3 times a day.
20. Mucous Decoction. Soak 100 g of groats or flakes in 1 liter of cold water for several hours, boil until thick, drink without dosage.
21. Choleretic Infusion (alternative). Brew 2 cups of grain with 1 liter of boiling water, infuse for 20 min, strain, drink 0.5 cup 3 times a day.
22. Decoction with Honey (alternative). Boil 1 cup of groats or flakes in 1 liter of water until half evaporated, strain, add half the volume of milk, boil, add honey to taste, bring to a boil, drink warm 500 ml a day in 2–3 doses.
23. Infusion for Diabetes (herbal blend). 3 tablespoons of a mixture (equal parts) of oat herb, blueberry leaves, flax seeds, bean pods, boil for 10 min in 3 cups of boiling water, infuse for 20 min, drink ¼ cup 6–8 times a day.
24. Infusion for Inflammation (herbal blend). 1 tablespoon of a mixture (equal parts) of oat herb or straw, rosehips, thyme herb, knotweed, chicory root, infuse for 4 hours in 2 cups of boiling water, drink half a cup 1–2 times a day.
25. Foot Bath for Sweaty Feet. Boil 30 g of straw in 10 liters of water, use for foot baths.
26. Bath for Rheumatism. Boil 0.5–1 kg of crushed straw for 30 min in several liters of water, strain, add to the bath, take 2–3 times a week.
27. Bath for Hyperhidrosis. Boil 600 g of a mixture (equal parts) of oat herb or straw and oak bark for 1 hour in 10 liters of boiling water, strain, use for foot baths for 15–20 min.
28. Bath for Sweating (alternative). Boil 300 g of oat straw in a bucket of water, use for foot baths.
29. Bath for Skin Diseases. Boil 0.5–1 kg of crushed straw for 30 min in 10 liters of water, use for baths or washes.
30. Bath for Sciatica. Boil 0.5 kg of straw for 30 min in 2 liters of water, add to the bath (36–37 °C), take for 10–15 min, course 15–20 procedures.
31. Decoction for Diabetes (intensive). 100 g of grain, pour 1 liter of water, boil for 1 hour, drink 100 ml 3 times a day, for 14 days.
32. Infusion for Insomnia (short course). 20 g of herb, pour 200 ml of boiling water, infuse for 20 min, drink 50 ml before bed, for 7 days.
33. Jelly for Gastritis. Soak 100 g of flakes in 1 liter of water for 4 hours, boil for 20 min, drink 200 ml 2 times a day, for 10 days.
34. Oatmeal with Berries for Energy. 50g oat flakes, 200ml water or milk, cook until tender. Add a handful of mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. Enjoy as a breakfast booster.
35. Savory Oat Risotto. 1 cup steel-cut oats, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1/2 onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 cup mushrooms (sliced), 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional), 1 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper to taste. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil. Add oats and stir for 1 minute. Gradually add broth, stirring frequently, until oats are creamy and cooked. Stir in mushrooms, Parmesan, salt, and pepper. Serve warm.

 

Oat Cosmetics

Oats are used for skin care, maintaining normal skin trophism.

1. Mask for Dry Skin. Boil 20 g of flakes in 200 ml of milk or water for 15 min, add 10 g of honey, apply for 20 min, rinse with cold water, 2 times a week.
2. Face Scrub. Mix 20 g of flour with 10 ml of water, apply for 5 min, rinse, 1 time a week.
3. Compresses for Eczema. Boil 30 g of grain in 1 liter of water for 20 min, wipe the skin, 2 times a day.
4. Mask for Oily Skin. 20 g of flakes, 10 ml of lemon juice, apply for 15 min, rinse, 2 times a week.
5. Mask for Comedone Removal. Mix whipped egg white with 20 g of oat flour, apply until dry, remove with a dry towel, wash with cold water, 1 time a week.
6. Soothing Oat Bath Soak. Add 1 cup of finely ground oat flour (colloidal oatmeal) to warm bath water. Soak for 15-20 minutes to soothe irritated or itchy skin.
7. Hair Mask for Shine. Mix 3 tablespoons of oat flour with enough water to form a paste. Apply to damp hair, leave for 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.

 

Oat Culinary Uses

Oat groats and flakes are used in dietary nutrition for gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal atony, liver diseases, nervous system diseases, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus, gout, obesity.

1. Hercules Porridge. Boil 100 g of flakes in 500 ml of salted milk for 15 min, add 10 g of butter, eat in the morning.
2. Jelly. Soak 100 g of flakes in 1 liter of water for 4 hours, boil for 20 min, add 20 g of honey, drink 200 ml 2 times a day.
3. Soup. 50 g of groats, 100 g of potatoes, 50 g of carrots, boil in 1 liter of water for 20 min, add herbs, salt.
4. Cookies. 100 g of flakes, 50 g of flour, 50 g of sugar, 50 g of butter, bake for 15 min at 180 °C.
5. Oatmeal with Honey. 100 g of oats or flakes, pour 5 cups of water, boil until half evaporated, strain, add 2 cups of milk, boil, add 4 teaspoons of honey, boil, drink warm 500 ml a day in 2–3 doses.
6. Overnight Oats. Combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy), 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and 1 tablespoon sweetener (honey, maple syrup) in a jar. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Add fruit or nuts in the morning.
7. Oat Flour Pancakes. Replace up to half of the all-purpose flour in your favorite pancake recipe with oat flour for a nutty flavor and added fiber.

Tips: Soak groats for softness, add fruits for flavor.

 

Other properties of oats

Oats improve soil in crop rotation, used as a green manure. Straw is used in phytotherapy, for bedding in animal husbandry.