Tag: Nervine

Did you know that long before the oats we eat today, the green stems and leaves of the *Avena sativa* plant were prized by herbalists for their profound restorative properties? This humble grass, known as oatstraw, is a true nutritional powerhouse, and understanding what are the minerals in oatstraw reveals its immense wellness potential.

Herbalists have traditionally used oatstraw, derived from the green oat plant, as a restorative tonic for centuries. Understanding when to drink oatstraw—whether in the morning, afternoon, or evening—is key to leveraging its calming, nourishing, and rejuvenating properties for specific wellness goals.

Herbalists and folk medicine practitioners have long revered skullcap (*Scutellaria lateriflora*) for its calming properties, using it to soothe nerves and ease anxiety. However, to properly harness these beneficial compounds, understanding the ideal steeping duration is crucial. The question of how long do you steep skullcap tea depends on the desired strength and the plant part used, with most infusions requiring 5 to 15 minutes to fully extract their herbal goodness.

According to research from Cornell University, the seeds of wild oat are indeed edible, and wild oat forage can offer significant nutritional value. As with any wild food, the primary challenge lies in proper identification and safe harvesting, which this guide will help you understand so you can eat wild oats confidently and responsibly.

Over 90% of US households consume oats, a popular food derived from the *Avena sativa* plant, regularly. This versatile grain, along with its other parts like oat straw, is packed with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have profound effects on the body, from supporting cardiovascular health to calming the nervous system. So, what does *Avena sativa* do to your body when consumed or applied topically?

Used for centuries as a natural remedy, oatstraw is surprisingly rich in vitamins and minerals that support overall wellness. This unassuming green stalk is a powerhouse of nutrients, including calcium, magnesium, and B-vitamins, making it a valuable addition to many herbal tonics.

Traditionally, indigenous cultures and herbalists used blue vervain for its medicinal properties. The aerial parts, specifically the leaves and flowers, are the most common and effective parts of the blue vervain plant for tea.

Studies have shown that regularly drinking tea can lead to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. So, what is in tea that calms you, beyond the comforting ritual of a warm beverage? The answer lies in specific bioactive compounds that interact with our nervous system.

Though both derive from the same plant, the common oat (Avena sativa), oat straw and oatmeal are distinctly different products harvested at different stages of the plant's life cycle. This critical difference in timing and processing dictates their unique uses, from a herbal tonic to a breakfast staple, and explains why oat straw is not the same as oatmeal.

While not a calorie-dense food, skullcap (genus *Scutellaria*) has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and modern science has identified its rich phytochemical profile, revealing the true answer to what is the nutritional value of skullcap. This herbal plant offers a spectrum of bioactive compounds that provide its primary health benefits, rather than traditional macronutrients.