Indications

CNS (green oat straw)
• nervous system exhaustion from overwork
- insomnia
- stress
- anxiety
• drug addiction withdrawal (traditional use)
- smoking cessation
- opiates

Cardiovascular (rolled oats)
• hyperlipidemia
• hypercholesterolemia

Dermatologic (rolled oats, topical application)
• irritated skin
• eczema
• dry skin
• shingles

Gastrointestinal (rolled oats)
• inflammation of upper GI tract
- GERD
- gastritis
- peptic ulcers
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) †
- colitis
- Crohn's disease (not during acute flare-ups )

Actions

Actions Of " Oat Straw " :
• Nervin Tonic
• Nervine
• Antidepressant

Actions Of " Rolled Oats " :
• Demulcent
• Emolient
• Antipruritic
• Antihyperlipidemic
• Antiulcerogenic
• Vulnerary

Constituents

• Triterpenoid Saponins (E.g. Avenacosides)
• Soluble Fiber (E.g. β -Glucan)
• Proteins (E.g. Avenin )

Posology

• Tincture (1:5 in 45% EtOH) 1-5 ml tid
• Fluid extract (1:1 in 25% EtOH) 0.6-2 ml tid
• Rolled oats (steel cut): 30 g for porridge

Safety

Generally considered safe when used as indicated.

†Caution: Avoid use during acute flare-ups of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Celiac disease patients need to be assessed for oat sensitivities.

Celiac disease: Oats do not contain gliadin, however, the avenins
share similarities and co-sensitivities. Elimination and reintroduction to rule-out oat sensitivities is recommended.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002