Wild Oat Seed extract 20:1 | Avena sativa

Wild Oat Seed extract 20:1 | Avena sativa

Properties: Perhaps the word “oats” for most of us brings about an image of wide fields and maybe a bowl of cereal. Indeed, avena sativa is one of the most common grains, just as wheat, rye or barley. There is however a less known thing about this plant, namely its herbal potential. Although our ancestors initially considered oats to be weeds, they readily appreciated their medical properties and applied them as a remedy to quite a few unpleasant ailments. Nowadays, avena sativa is also popularly used as a supplement as the list of its proven healthy properties is quite impressive. 

Avena sativa owes its popularity mainly to the impact on libido – in both main sexes. The results of clinical trials demonstrated that the supplementation of oats extract helps to increase the quality of sexual life. Both men and women who took part in the studies reported higher satisfaction attained during the intercourse and higher intensity of sensual stimulation. Since regular consumption of oats increases the level of testosterone, men might find this supplement especially interesting. Due to this effect, avena sativa extract is often included in the products advertised as natural potency enhancement.. 

However, from time to time our organism demands a break, and we feel like slowing down and taking some rest. This is especially needed when we are faced with overwhelming, stressful situations. In this case, avena sativa extract will particularly come in handy as it leads to the improvement of stress resilience. Therefore, it helps to keep the mind calm and the body relaxed – even in tough circumstances.  

What is more, avena sativa extract will be useful for people who wish to lose some extra pounds. It has been proven that oats support weight loss. This is possible, because their active compounds regulate the glucose level in blood. Therefore, they limit the accumulation of fat tissue and help to keep the appetite down. Additionally, oats supplementation helps to limit the blood cholesterol level, specifically its “bad” fraction. Thus, it is an excellent addition to any diet program. On top of that, it efficiently prevents the development of cardiovascular diseases and ailments that stem from overaccumulation of lipids on the cellular level. 

Just think about it… So many benefits in the plants that used to be considered just a weed! And the list goes on… Its full scope definitely could take more space than this limited description. However, it might be more practical to just try out avena sativa extract and experience its benefits firsthand. 

Occurrence: Common oat (Avena sativa) is an annual cereal plant belonging to the Poaceae family. It is often cultivated in Asia, Europe and North America. The plants can reach up to 1 meter in height. Relatively large inflorescences (so-called panicles) are formed at the top of the stalk. Since the remaining grains form ears, these panicles are a distinctive feature of oats. Oats were initially considered a weed growing in spelt wheat (Triticum spelta). However, gradually they gained more popularity thanks to their low soil quality requirements and high adaptability. In Europe, the first traces of the cultivation of this plant were found in Germanic settlements from the Bronze Age (1700-1500 BCE) located in the territory of modern Switzerland and Denmark. In China, the first plantations of oats were established only in the 7th century.

In traditional medicine of the West, oats have been used for ages. Ancient Greeks already acknowledged its medical potential. For instance, the Greek doctor Pedanius Dioscorides, the author of “The Materia Medica”, incorporated oats in his praxis. He used oat mucus for cough, grain pulp for indigestion, and roasted grains as a compress for spleen ailments. In the old days, a warm oat decoction was prepared in which the frostbitten feet or hands were soaked to relieve the pain. 

Such a procedure could have been repeated over a few consecutive days, until the swelling and inflammation were gone. A belief popular in these times claimed that daily consumption of oats restores youthful appearance and… sexual performance. 

Biochemistry: The substance that oats owes its properties to is primarily beta-glucan – one of the components of dietary fiber. Chemically speaking, it is classified as a polysaccharide. Some of the more interesting ingredients are also avenanthramides – derivatives of cinnamic acids found exclusively in this grain. Apart from them, oats also contain: phytosterols, polyphenols, B, A, D, E and K vitamins, as well as minerals (zinc, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, selenium and silicon). The nutritional and energy value of oats is relatively high as it contains 2-3 times more fat than other grains. This fat is a mixture of saturated and unsaturated acids, the most important of which are: linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids.

Fun fact: Common oats contain little gluten and therefore cannot be used to bake bread. Nevertheless, it is used to produce gluten-free flour, groats and cereals. Moreover, it is needed to produce an “oat drink”, colloquially known as “oat milk”. It is one of the forms of plant-based milk (the others are e.g. soy milk, rice milk or almond milk), which is an alternative to animal milk.