Herb of the Season - Oat by Dawn "Belladonna" Thomas

Herb of the Season - Oat (Avena sativa)

Folk Names: Groats, Oatmeal, Joulaf

Planet: Venus

Powers: Money

Parts Used: grain and straw

Botanical:

The common oat plant is a grown for its seed. There are more than twenty varieties cultivated. The common oat has a smooth stem that grows up to four feet high. The rough veined leaves narrows towards the tip and the sheaves are striated.

Oats are native to northern Europe but grow well in most temperate regions and can be found throughout the United States. They have a lower summer heat requirement and greater tolerance of rain than other cereals like wheat, rye or barley, so are particularly important in areas with cool, wet summers such as Northwest Europe. It has even been grown successfully in Iceland. Oats are an annual plant and can be planted either in autumn (for late summer harvest) or in the spring (for early autumn harvest) and need space for effective cultivation.

Oats, like rye, are usually considered a secondary crop, coming from a weed of the primary cereal similar to wheat and barley. As these cereals spread westwards into cooler, wetter areas, this may have favored the oat weed component, leading to its eventual domestication.

Folklore and History:

Oat bread was first manufactured in England, where the first oat bread factory was established in 1899. In Scotland they were, and still are, held in high esteem, as a mainstay of the national diet. The centrality of oats in traditional Scottish cuisine is not surprising. This compares to wheat in England and maize (corn) in North America and Australia. Oats grown in Scotland command a premium price throughout the United Kingdom as a result of these traditions.

In early days, oat straw was used to stuff mattresses. Some European legends tell of a field spirit called the Oats Goat. The spirit of this creature is embodied into a doll made from the last sheaf collected from the field. This doll is a symbol of fertility for both the farmer and family. The story in Germany is similar but has a stallion instead of a goat.

Herbal Uses:

Oats are a rich source of silicon. There are many ways to prepare oats. One of the most common is rolled or crushed into oatmeal, or ground into fine oat flour. Oatmeal is chiefly eaten as porridge, but may also be used in a variety of baked goods, such as oatcakes, oatmeal cookies, and oat bread. Oats are also an ingredient in many cold cereals, in particular museli and granola. Oats may also be consumed raw, and cookies with raw oats are becoming popular. In Scotland a porridge called Sowens was made by soaking the oat bran or husks in water. After soaking for about a week the mixture was strained to separate the fine, floury part of the oat meal which remained as sediment. The slightly fermented mixture was then boiled. Oats are also occasionally used in Britain for brewing beer. Oatmeal stout is one variety brewed using a percentage of oats for the wort.

Eating oatmeal has been proved to lower cholesterol and improve stamina since they are good for the heart and circulatory system. Oatmeal is easily digested and is an ideal food for invalids, women that have recently given birth, and those with fevers. Adding fruit or honey to cooked oats will provide additional nutrition. Some homeopaths use oatmeal for colds with heavy mucus discharge, fatigue, and also insomnia. When roasted, the oats can be brewed into coffee. It can also be used as a laxative.

Oatmeal supplies many nutrients to the skin including B-complex vitamins and calcium. It is recommended that cosmetic grade colloidal oatmeal mixed with water be used daily to remove dirt and makeup from the skin. An oatmeal scrub is also good for blemishes. An oatmeal mask made with oatmeal, lemon juice, cream and brewer’s yeast can provide extra nourishment and will stimulate cellular metabolism.

Oat extract can also be used to soothe skin conditions as in some skin lotions. A poultice can be made for skin irritations by adding slippery elm powder into cooked oats. A bath made with oats can provide relief for many ailments. Rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue and skin disorders (especially chicken pox) are just a few examples. Oatmeal can be made into soap to soothe itchy skin.

While oats are suitable for human consumption as oatmeal and rolled oats, one of the most common uses is livestock feed specifically horses and cattle. This is done by grinding the oats into coarse flour using a mill. Oats are also used in some brands of dog and chicken feed. Oat straw is prized by cattle and horse producers as bedding, due to its soft, relatively dust-free, and absorbent nature.

Magical Uses:

Oat cakes are made with the new grain and shared with family and friends at Lammas. In the past they were ground into a coarse grain and baked on a sheepskin next to the fire.

The straw can also be used for making corn dollies. Oats were also used in money spells. Carry a sprig of oat to improve a financial situation. By placing an oat sprig in the house, the occupants would never grow hungry.

Sources:
Cunningham, Scott. Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs. St. Paul, MN. Llewellyn Publications. 2000
Grieve, M. A Modern Herbal Volume II. Mineola, NY. Dover Publications. 1971
Griggs, Barbara. The Green Witch Herbal. Rochester, VT. Healing Arts Press. 1994
Hopman, Ellen Evert. A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Year. Rochester, VT. Destiny Books, 1995
Telesco, Patrica. The Herbal Arts. Secaucus, NJ. Carol Publishing Group. 1998

Photo credit: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=AVSA

Photo credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avena_sativa