Properties:
Oats are full of excellent nutrients that we all need for healthy functioning. Though the list is long, here are a few highlights.
Beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A as needed within the body) serves the body in aiding good vision and eye health, healthy skin and mucus membranes, and for good immunity.
B vitamins act as co-enzymes helping the body break down carbohydrates, fat, and ammino acids to distribute energy and oxygen throughout the body.
Calcium is needed for healthy bones, blood clotting, muscle function, and plays an important role in cardiac and nervous system function.
Iron is needed to make hemoglobin which carries oxygen throughout the body.
Magnesium is needed for muscle and nerve function and for energy production.
Other properties of oats include manganese, potassium, selenium, silicon, zinc histamine, lysine, flavonoids, lipids, saponins, starch, gluten, and others.
Oats area great for protecting the body against too much estrogen. Our modernized, western way of life promotes a high estrogen diet, which can lead to many problems, diseases, and cancers. Men, especially should take measures to make sure they have enough testosterone to help fight gout, prostate cancer, lethargy/diminished sleep, headaches, increased fat and decreased muscle, among other things.
Practical incorporation:
Oats are both edible and used topically.
As an edible, it offers great nutrition to the body since it is high in protein. It is incredibly shelf stable when appropriately stored, it is great to keep in bulk quantities. One of the safest ways to store oats is in Mylar bags with oxygen absorbers. Once sealed properly this way they can last 25 years or longer.
Oats, bring rich in essential minerals, are an excellent addition to teas bringing restorative benefits to the body.
Topically, oats are high in silicon (Si) content, which is an element that helps to nourish the body’s skin, hair, teeth, bones, and nails. It is also partly responsible for keeping blood vessels elastic. Oats can be infused into oils or ground into colloidal oatmeal and incorporated into lotions, salves, poultices, and compresses. Oats help the body retain moisture preventing dry skin and dermal irritations. It is often used on lotions and salves made especially for babies, people who suffer from eczema and psoriasis, and to heal chapped and itchy skin. Interestingly, oatmeal can also be used to make a relief for sunburn.
Stay tuned for more insights and how we utilize oats in many ways here at Purus Herbal!
References:
Mars, B. (2016). The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine (2nd ed.). Basic Health Publications Inc.
Gladstar, R. (2012). Medicinal Herbs A Beginner’s Guide. Storey Publishing.
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