Description
- Botanical Name - Avena sativa
- Other Names - wild oats
- Origin - USA
- Flavor Profiles - Oatstraw is very mild in flavor. Blends well with most tea herbs and flowers.
- Culinary Usages - The dried, cut and sifted herb is most often used in tea blends and to make infusions and tinctures, sometimes in combination with other herbs.
As the name suggests, oatstraw is the upper stem portion of Avena sativa, the ancient cereal grain we enjoy for breakfast. Like the grain, oatstraw is very nutritious and an abundant source of silica, calcium, magnesium and B-complex vitamins. Also known as wild oats, oatstraw is very nutritious, providing significant amounts of soluble fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. Reputedly, horses become energized and high spirited after grazing on the plant. In fact, this is where sowing your oats comes from, an expression that refers to wild behavior in people. Cosmetic Usages - Infuse in oil or alcohol for use in soaps, creams and other topical formulations.