Avena Sativa (Common oat)

Used in HerbalHim

Although Oats have been cultivated as a staple food crop forthousands of years, they also have a number of notable therapeutic properties. Observations on the health promoting and stimulating effects of Avena Sativa were first documented around 200 years ago in the German Pharmacopoeia.

Description : Whole oats, including the husk or whole rolled endosperm.

Other possible names : A. byzantina, A. fatua, A. hybrida, A. orientalis, A. volgensis

Therapeutic use

General

• High energy food and protein source - builds muscle tone
• Gentle restorative tonic after illness - increases stamina
• Helps lower cholesterol levels in the blood
• Topical application alleviates skin irritations
• Decreases anxiety levels associated with breaking addictions

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Sexual

• Mild mental relaxant/mood enhancer - helps alleviate anxiety associated with sexual performance/ enhances feelings of well-being

• Studies and anecdotal evidence suggests it helps with increased sex drive/ enhanced erections/ increased orgasms

• Thought to stimulate the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) - which has functions to stimulate secretion of sex hormones like testosterone -

• Frees up testosterone - which becomes increasingly bound to various compounds in the body with advancing age - most beneficial effects of testosterone, like sex drive and muscle growth, are associated with free testosterone

• Great compliment to other aphrodisiac herbs (particularly Tribulus Terrestris)

Cultivation : N. Europe, Australia

Safety and cautions :  No know negative effects noted where avena is used as a dietary tonic. Although large doses of concentrated amounts can cause excitability, as is the case with horses. Not tolerated well if sensitive to gluten.