Gardening Blog

Oats

Avena sativa, avenae fructus, wild oat herb

Oats originated in England, France, Poland, Germany, and Russia and are now cultivated worldwide. The medicinal components are derived from the fresh or dried above-ground parts or flowers of Avena sativa. Foods are made from the grains (seeds) of the plant, and oat bran is made from the inner husks of the seeds. Oats contain gluten, which forms a sticky mass that holds moisture in skin when mixed with liquid. Oat bran also contains beta-glucan, which may have serum lipid-reducing properties. Oats are available in products such as oat bran, oats and honey, oatstraw, oat straw tea, wild oats, Aveeno soap, lotion, and bath, and Quaker oat bran.

Reported uses

Oats are used topically to treat dry, itchy skin. Dietary oat bran may lower serum cholesterol. Oats are also used to treat opium and cigarette addiction, but the mechanism for this use is unknown.

Administration

• Baths, lotions: Follow package labeling
• For cholesterol reduction: Dosage is 40 to 100 g a day total dietary fiber, taken by mouth.

Hazards

• Oats may cause adverse effects such as increased stool bulk, increased defecation, flatulence, and abdominal bloating.
• There are no reported drug interactions.
• Patients allergic to the Avena sativa plant should avoid using oat products. Because gluten damages digestive and absorptive cells in the intestines, oats shouldn’t be used by patients with celiac disease.
• Patients with dermatitis herpetiformis should avoid diets high in gluten because they may cause intestinal abnormalities.

Clinical considerations

• Patients with bowel problems should use oat products with caution.
• As with all fiber products, oats should be taken with plenty of fluids to ensure adequate hydration and dispersion of fiber in the G I tract.
• Patient may experience frequent bowel movements, resulting in anogenital irritation.
• Tell patient to drink plenty of water to help regulate bowel movements.
• Caution patient that oat skincare products shouldn’t be used near eyes or on inflamed skin.
• Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining
  a new prescription.
• Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.

Research summary

The use of oats has been studied extensively for its role in lowering serum cholesterol. Studies evaluating its antifungal properties have also been done; however, thils use hasn’t yet been validated scientifically.