Ingredient Glossary

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Oats**

June 14, 2009 By Avena sativa

Family Name: Poaceae, grass

The genus name for oats, Avena is from the Latin and means "nourishing”. Sativa, the species name, means "with a long history of cultivation". Milky oat seed (in its unripe stage) is the premier medicinal portion of the plant, but the stems are also used (known as oatstraw). The active constituents of Avena sativa include: carbohydrates, such as, b glucans, flavonoids, minerals, alkaloids and saponins. Oat seed and straw are used for skin as an alterative, anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, nutritive and rejuvenator. Oat is high in triglycerides and helps nourish the skin, nails, teeth, bones and hair due to its high silicon content. Oat flakes are used topically as a bath herb to soften skin and to relieve itchiness, eczema, hives, rheumatism and neuralgia, and as a mask for blackheads, dry, wrinkled and oily skin. They also relax the nerves and strengthen the nervous system, making tactile sensations more pleasurable. Furthermore, oat seed promotes the elasticity of blood vessels, and the seed or straw is used as a compress to help heal stitches. Other medicinal uses include: anti-anxiety, antidepressant, anti-insomniac, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, blood tonic, brain tonic, chi tonic, endocrine tonic, mood elevator, nervine, restorative and sexual tonic.

** Herbal Extract

Main Properties

  • PERFORMANCE
    • anti-inflammatory
    • anti-irritant
    • antioxidant
    • gentle
    • nuritive
    • soothing
  • MIND
    • aphrodisiac
    • soothing
  • FUNCTIONAL
    • preservative

Skin Types

Best for blemished, dry, mature and sensitive skin

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