I was first introduced to Milky Oats a few years ago through Asia Suler’s online Intuitive Plant Medicine course. Shortly thereafter, a local farmer had some at the Farmers’ Market and I immediately and happily purchased a bunch and brought them home to process into medicine.
Little did I know then how transformative this plant ally would be in my life.
Since then, I’ve begun growing them on my own and blending tinctures for myself and my family in my little home apothecary.
What are Milky Oats?
Milky Oats are actually the same oats (Avena Sativa) that you eat for breakfast, but they’re harvested at a critical stage in their growing process.
See, for just a few short days, the immature oat grains plump up and are filled with a nutritious, medicinal, milky fluid. When you squeeze the grain, the milk will literally pop out of its little pocket. This is the nutrient rich good stuff and exactly what you want to make your medicine with.
Benefits
As a Nervine (an herb that promotes a feeling of overall wellness/can help to relieve anxiety) Milky Oats are brilliant at smoothing the rough edges of our fried nerves. They are soothing, calming, and support our nervous system, helping us to feel more relaxed and comfortable in our bodies.
Milky oats are an antioxidant as well as being anti-inflammatory.
In addition to supporting the nervous system, Milky Oats are considered a nutritive herb, packed with vitamins A, C, and E in addition to zinc, manganese, and an array of amino acids.
Sowing
If you have a little plot of land, adding in a few oats can go a long way to supporting your nervous system. Plus, they’re easy to grow, fun to watch, and lovely to listen to as the wind wraps it’s way through the straw and oats themselves.
- Sow your oats in the Spring in a freshly raked, prepared (and amended) bed, in full sun with well drained soils.
- You can sprinkle your seeds evenly over the bed, then top dress with ~1 inch of compost to increase their vitality.
- Keep soil evenly moist during germination and water frequently during the growing stage.
While I’ve not grown them in pots, I can’t imagine why you couldn’t try. A few milky oats go a long way.
Growing
Growing Milky Oats is incredibly easy! Once they’ve germinated and are establishing themselves, all you have to do is keep them weeded and watered.
Just be careful not to confuse the oat sprouts with grass shoots when you’re weeding 😉
Harvesting
Once you’ve tested a few oats to ensure they’re milky you can simply run your fingers up the sides of the oat straw/stem, pulling/popping off the seeds as you go.
Then, harvest the oatstraw by cutting the stem close to the ground.
Alternatively, you can cut the oatstraw (oats still attached), then sit and remove the oats and cut the straw into small pieces all at the same time.
Processing
Tincturing &/or Infusing
Milky Oats contain alkaloids and polyphenols, which are only soluble in alcohol. Here’s how to make a tincture.
Milky Oats also contain a variety of minerals, which must be extracted in water or vinegar. Here’s how to make a vinegar extraction.
Mashing up the oats is key to accessing they’re milky goodness, making it most available for extraction. You can do this in a blender or, if you have a smaller amount, in a mortar and pestle.
I like to make both a tincture and an apple cider vinegar (ACV) extraction of Milky Oats separately, then blend/mix them together once they’ve been strained. I typically also add a touch of local honey to each blended batch to smooth the taste and feel of it.
Drying
The oatstraw can be cut into ~half inch pieces and dried for later teas and infusions.
I love to blend my oatstraw with Cota, Chamomile, and Lemon Balm for a soothing, calming tea.
Wishing you calm, restorative days ahead.
xoxo,
M
