Oatstraw Tea

Last week I talked about oats. This week I am going to talk about oatstraw tea. Oatstraw is made up of the stems, flowers and milky seeds of the oat plant before the heads of grain form and mature. A tea or infusion of oatstraw has been used for everything from broken bones to anxiety. One popular use is as an aphrodisiac. Some people insist that it is great for the bedroom.

Research seems to indicate that oatstraw stimulates cell growth of the bones. It is great for building bone strength. It is also good for muscle cramps, strengthening blood vessels, preserving tooth enamel and strengthening the sheaths that cover the nerves. It is also used for arthritis, rheumatism, as a diuretic to combat fluid retention, for relief of itchy skin and as a nutrient to promote healthy skin, hair nails and bones. It is considered to be an excellent tonic for the body and is good for physical and emotional fatigue.

Oatstraw is full of organic calcium which is the best kind for the bones. It contains silica, another nutrient that is good for the bones, skin, hair and nails. It also contains mucilage, B vitamins (except B-12), minerals and protein. It is available in tinctures, extracts, creams and powder. The powder is popular for baths. Some studies seem to indicate that it can help smokers quit smoking. The German Commission E (their version of the FDA), has classified oat straw as a nervine. That means it is good for soothing and calming the nervous system. Cloths can be soaked in  cool oatstraw tea and applied as compresses to itchy areas of the body. It has been used this way to relieve the irritation of shingles.

Be careful with oatstraw if you have a problem with gluten. It is possible to get gluten-free oats, but you need to carefully check your sources. Some oats are contaminated from the gluten in other grains that may be grown near the oats. Here is the formula for making oatstraw tea. Pour a cup of boiling water over the oatstraw material. Let it steep for 5 minutes. Strain the infusion and enjoy. Honey, your favorite sweetener or lemon can be added for taste.

Sources:
http://healthyeating, sfgate.com/health-benefits-oat-straw-tea-9852.html
http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/oat-straw-benefits-longevity/#ixzz3WpxRNeen
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?type-AWHN_supplement&id=763FED1D23634581807C2D7A204DEBAE&ther=2

Be sure to check out my web page at www.valerielull.com  I'm working on another book which I hope will come out before the end of the year. It is about healing spices.

Valerie Lull
Author
Ten Healthy Teas
valerielull923@gmail.com