avena sativa - milky oats

It’s the tail-end of season in Florida and we’re all due for a break after the mad rush of quarter one. Networking, deadlines, events, and OMG the emails! If you’re feeling like you’ve been burning the candle at both ends, milky oats might be your new best friend. The use of milky oats is indicated for those with an over-taxed nervous system, those who’ve been stressed for too long, and are exhausted from excess.

Avena sativa (the Latin name for milky oats) is a member of the Poaceae family. The part of the plant that is typically used is the immature seed head, or what you’d commonly recognize as oatmeal.

The flavor of milky oats is warming and a bit sweet. It’s known for the ability to help lower blood sugar and lipids (fats) in the blood, and support and balance the nervous system. Milky oats can also be used topically to help stop itching. I remember vividly when I had chicken pox as a kid and the only relief I felt was during my oatmeal bath at my Aunt Judy’s house.

To prepare milky oats, you can make a fresh tea or tincture, but the simplest and tastiest way to enjoy them is to make yourself a cup of oatmeal. Oatmeal is both a soluble and insoluble fiber, meaning it’s soothing to the gut, helps you stay full longer, can lower your LDL cholesterol (lame cholesterol) and increase your HDL (happy cholesterol). There are many types of oatmeal out there; steel cut, old fashioned, rolled oats….it can be a bit overwhelming. Pro Tip: the less processed or broken down the oats are, the more nutrients they retain. So, a cup of steel cut oats is going to give you more benefit than a cup of instant oats. Play around and find your favorite! Be sure to post and share your recipes with me :)