Oat Straw (Milky Oats) — FarmPal
One of the safest nervines for children of all ages. Milky oat tops harvested at the "milk stage" provide deep nervous system nourishment without sedation ideal for anxious, overstimulated, or "wired-and-tired" kids.
Medicinal Properties
Parts Used
Traditional Uses
- •Nervous exhaustion in children and adults
- •Anxiety without drowsiness
- •ADHD support (complementary)
- •Recovering from illness
- •Teething irritability
- •Growing pains and restless legs
- •Skin irritation (topical bath)
Preparations
Harvest milky oats at milk stage squeeze kernel, white liquid should emerge. Fill jar with fresh milky oat tops, cover with vegetable glycerin. Shake daily 6 weeks.
Dosage: Children 2-5: 1/4 tsp 2-3x daily. Children 6-12: 1/2 tsp 2-3x daily. Can add to juice.
Place 1 oz dried oat straw in quart jar. Pour boiling water to fill. Cap tightly and steep 4 hours or overnight. Strain.
Dosage: 1-3 cups daily for adults. Children: 1/4-1 cup depending on age. Mild, pleasant taste.
Simmer 2-3 cups oat straw in 2 quarts water for 20 minutes. Strain into lukewarm bath.
Dosage: Soak 15-20 min. Excellent for eczema, chicken pox, sunburn, or general fussiness.
Harvesting Guide
Timing: Milky oat tops: harvest in mid-summer when kernels release white "milk" when squeezed. Window is only 1-2 weeks.
Method: Strip milky oat tops from stalks by hand. Work quickly process same day for tincture/glycerite.
Drying: Oat straw (stems/leaves) can be dried easily for tea. Milky tops must be used fresh or tinctured immediately.
⚠️ Cautions
- •Extremely safe one of the mildest herbs available
- •Suitable for infants, children, elderly, and pregnancy
- •Avoid if celiac/gluten-sensitive (contains avenin, a gluten-like protein)
- •No known drug interactions
- •Fresh milky oats must be processed quickly after harvest they lose potency rapidly