Avena sativa
Oats are one of the world's most important grain crops, particularly for people living in cool temperate climates. Oats are an excellent source of manganese and a very good source of selenium. In addition, they are a good source of vitamin B1, dietary fiber, magnesium, protein and phosphorus. Whilst used mainly as a food, Oats also have medicinal properties. From the ancient time, Oats have been used in folk medicine to ease a number of ailments and conditions, including stress and anxiety, eczema, psoriasis, insomnia, and nervous exhaustion. They have even been also used to treat withdrawal from tobacco. The seeds are diuretic, emollient and refrigerant. In particular Oats are a nutritious food that gently restores vigor after debilitating illnesses, helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood and also increases stamina.
The seeds have antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, emollient, nervine and stimulant properties. The seed contains the antitumor compound b-sitosterol and has been used as a folk remedy for tumours. A gruel made from the ground seed is used as a mild nutritious aliment in inflammatory cases, fevers and after parturition. A tincture of the ground seed in alcohol is useful as a nervine and uterine tonic. A decoction strained into a bath will help to soothe itchiness and eczema. Oats reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and enhance immune response to infection. In addition to its fiber Oats are also a very good source of selenium. A necessary cofactor of the important antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase, selenium works with vitamin E in numerous vital antioxidant systems throughout the body. These powerful antioxidant actions make selenium helpful in decreasing asthma symptoms and in the prevention of heart disease. In addition, selenium is involved in DNA repair and is associated with a reduced risk for cancer, especially colon cancer.
References:
BBC News. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A4888858
Plants for a Future Database. http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Avena+sativa
Whfoods. http://www.whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=54
