Avena Sativa

Oats (Avena sativa L.) are grow worldwide to provide a vital food staple for people in many countries. Avena sativa is commonly eat (or take as a medicinal supplement) for its highly-acclaim health benefits.

The Avena plant is comprise of a seed, leaves and stems (oat straw) and bran (the outer layer of the whole). Surprisingly, various parts of the Avena plant are use to make medicinal herbal supplements, providing a wide range of health benefits.

To fully understand the medicinal properties , it’s important to learn about the various parts of the plant, including:

• The fresh milky seed: These are oats that are harvest early, during the “milky” stage. Early-harvested oats have the highest level of minerals such as potassium and magnesium (available as a supplement).
• The mature seed: Rich in nutrients such as silicon, manganese, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, B1, B2, and E. This is the endosperm, which is the usual product of milling.
• Whole oat groats: Groats are whole grains—the kernels including the cereal germ and fiber-rich bran, as well as the endosperm. Whole oat groats contain high levels of nutrients such as soluble fiber, proteins, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and other phytochemicals.
• Oat straw: These are tge leaves and stems of the plant, which contain very high iron levels, as well as manganese and zinc.
• Oat beta-glucan: This soluble fiber has been linked to improving heart health and lowering cholesterol.1 Oat bran can be found as a whole-grain food product as well as a medicinal supplement.