Description
Wild oats is a robust annual, usually 2-4 feet tall with jointed, hollow stems and corkscrewing leaf blades. The inflorescences form in wide panicles; the individual spikelets droop tassel-like, resembling green cockroaches with their rearward stretched awns appearing as spindly legs. The small oat seeds mature from late spring to early summer and can remain viable in the ground for nearly 10 years. Cultivated oats (Avena sativa) is another commonly found oat. Often it is difficult to tell the two apart, but upon close study the bracts of this variety are not hairy, unlike Wild oats.
Distribution
With exceptions, pertaining to the southeastern part of the US, Wild oats, a European native, is ubiquitous throughout North America. Look for the plant in disturbed, rich soils, around drainage ditches, culverts; occasionally it can be found along stream and canyon sides.
Chemistry
Vitexin, apigenin, d5-avenasterol, avenocosides a and b, and nuatigenin
Medicinal Uses
Wild oats primarily exerts its effect on distresses arising out of nervous system debility. Think of Wild oats as a nervous system stabilizer; it counteracts agitation from over work and prolonged periods of stress. There is some difficultly in describing what Wild oats actually does; it is not an overt sedative, nor is the plant overtly stimulating, but this does not detract from the fact that if you are physically and emotionally “rode hard and put away wet” the plant imparts a sense of stability.
Depressive states arising out of pushing through huge workloads on the job or at home are lifted. The edginess and frayed-end feeling of someone kicking nicotine, opiate, or alcohol habits is also lessened. As Michael Moore succinctly puts it, “This is crispy critter medicine”.
Collection
It is important to establish a relationship with Wild oats. Starting in the spring visit a stand several times a month as to not miss the oat “in milk” stage. You have a window where this plant is pickable for 1-2 weeks. The oat seed matures quickly so keep a close eye on it. When the spikelets are green and suspended in panicles, pick several and squeeze them. While squeezing the spikelet, you should feel a “pop” between your thumb and forefinger; this is followed by the milky-preformed seed coming out of the opposite end. At this point, they are prime for tincturing. Strip the spikelets from the rising stalks. Leave at least half of the immature oats on the collective group, so next year they will be equally abundant.
Preparations and Dosage
FPT: 30-60 drops 3-4 times daily
Other uses
The whole dried plant, also know as Oatstraw, prepared as a tea is a good source of readily absorbable electrolytes, particularly calcium.