Oats: Natural Healing Remedies

Originally from southern Europe and eastern Asia, oats are beneficial not only for your health internally but also for your skin.

Oat Applications

Oats are rich in starches, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Although they contain some fat, they are low in saturated fat, making them a healthy option. A serving of hot oat bran cereal offers about four grams of dietary fiber. Certain types of dietary fiber help bind to cholesterol, and since fiber isn't absorbed by the body, neither is the cholesterol. Several clinical studies have shown that regular oat bran consumption can lower blood cholesterol levels by about 10 percent within just one month.

Oats have long been used externally to treat wounds, rashes, and various skin conditions. Soaps and bath products containing oats are easily found in stores. Oatmeal baths are excellent for calming dry, flaky skin or reducing itching caused by poison oak or chicken pox. (Tip: Avoid directly adding oatmeal to the bath, as it can create a mess. Instead, grind it into fine powder or place it in a cloth or an old nylon stocking.)

Oats are thought to have a calming effect, and herbalists recommend them to help alleviate the frustration and anxiety associated with nicotine or drug withdrawal. Oats contain the alkaloid gramine, known for its mild sedative effects.

Continue reading to explore warnings and preparation tips for using oats.

For more information on how to treat common medical conditions at home, check out the following links:

This information is provided for informational purposes only. IT IS NOT INTENDED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author, nor the publisher are responsible for any potential consequences from any treatments, procedures, exercises, dietary changes, actions, or medication applications resulting from reading or following the information contained herein. The publication of this material does not constitute medical practice, and it should not replace the advice of your physician or healthcare provider. Always consult with your physician or another healthcare professional before starting any treatment. Before engaging in complementary medical techniques, including natural or herbal remedies, it is important to recognize that many of these methods have not been scientifically evaluated. The use of these remedies alongside over-the-counter or prescription medications may cause serious adverse reactions. There is often limited information on their safety and effectiveness. Each state and medical discipline has specific rules regarding whether practitioners need to be professionally licensed. If you plan to visit a practitioner, choose one licensed by a recognized national organization that adheres to established standards. It is always advisable to consult your primary healthcare provider before beginning any new therapeutic approach.

Oats Preparations and Warnings

As with any herb, there are precautions to consider before using oats for medicinal purposes.

Oat Preparations and Dosage

Oatmeal is the most commonly used preparation of oats. You can find whole oats, rolled oats, and oat flour. Oat straw and whole dried oat groats can be tinctured and used medicinally, though dried oats are more often used for making teas. Tinctures are also available, made from the milky white secretion of the fresh oat plant. To prepare tea, infuse 1 tablespoon of oats or green oats per cup of hot water, and drink several cups throughout the day. For tinctures, take 1 to 2 droppers (1/2 to 1 teaspoon) three to four times a day.

Oats Precautions and Warnings

As with all high-fiber foods, oats should be consumed with plenty of water to aid their passage through the digestive system. Apart from allergies or intolerances to oats, no harmful effects have been noted.

Possible Side Effects of Oats

Although fiber aids in bowel cleansing, some individuals may experience discomfort when significantly increasing their fiber intake. If you suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, the sudden introduction of oat bran may worsen your symptoms. However, most people can gradually increase their oat bran intake without issues. Those with a food intolerance or allergy to oats might develop an eczema-like rash after handling oatmeal or oat flour. If you are unable to tolerate oatmeal, it's best to avoid oat-based medications.

For more information on how to treat common medical conditions at home, check out the following links:

Jennifer Brett, N.D. serves as the director of the Acupuncture Institute for the University of Bridgeport, where she also teaches at the College of Naturopathic Medicine. A respected leader in her field with a broad background in treating various conditions using nutritional and botanical remedies, Dr. Brett has appeared on WABC TV (NYC) and Good Morning America to discuss the health benefits of herbs. This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author, nor the publisher are responsible for any potential consequences resulting from any treatments, procedures, exercises, dietary changes, actions, or medication applications derived from reading or following this information. The publication of this material does not constitute medical practice and should not replace the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any course of treatment. Additionally, before using complementary medical techniques, including natural or herbal remedies, it is important to recognize that many of these methods have not been scientifically evaluated. Using these remedies alongside over-the-counter or prescription medications could result in serious adverse reactions. Often, there is limited information regarding their safety and effectiveness. Each state and discipline has its own rules regarding whether practitioners need professional licensing. If you intend to see a practitioner, choose one who is licensed by a recognized national organization and adheres to the organization’s standards. It is always best to consult with your primary healthcare provider before starting any new therapeutic practice.