Calming Oatstraw

When I was a little girl, my Mother would take me to a small herb shop off Main Street called House of Hezekiah. Walking into this tiny shop was like stepping into an ancient apothecary. Floor to ceiling glass jars were carefully and orderly placed with beautifully handwritten tags identifying the herbs, teas, roots, and blends. The smell… like nothing else. It would stick to you all day radiating an aroma of exotic Earth.

This started my love of herbs from a very young age. She would allow me to choose a small bag of a new herb every time I went, as long as I learned all about it’s healing properties. I had a large, antique chest at the end of my bed that housed my collection of herbs and concoctions. Over the years I had a collection that any budding herbalist would be proud to own.

Now, 30+ years later, I have a beautiful home apothecary of my own and have trained as an Herbalist to add to my Holistic Health Practitioner License. Herbs have served me well over the years and I’m honored to share their abundant gifts with others.

Just the other day I picked up my order of 3lbs of organic Oat Straw (Avena sativa). This absolutely incredible herb is a powerful nervine used to relieve stress and anxiety, help relax and calm your nervous system. It’s also rich in antioxidants, photonutrients, fiber, calcium, potassium, iron & vitamin A &C… as well as the wonderful B complex vitamins! This herb is packed with amazing properties and is reported safe to take through pregnancy and breastfeeding.

This is one of my all time favorite herbs to have on hand, especially for calming, and peaceful relaxation… along with Lavender and Chamomile. Mixing the 3 together is the most delicious tranquility-inducing concoction in herb form out there. This mix is okay in small quantities in your third trimester, however, my go-to mix when I’m pregnant is Oat Straw, Red Raspberry Leaf, and Stinging Nettle. Full of so many vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants that it truly is astounding… plus you get the added benefits of the uterine toning and strengthening from the Red Raspberry Leaf.

There is rarely a time, regardless of whether I’m pregnant, nursing, or neither, that I don’t add Oat Straw into my daily cups of tea or infusions. A true testament to my love for the incredible healing properties of this beautiful herb.