Avena Sativa

The common oat, traditionally used in homoeopathy as a nerve tonic for exhaustion, poor sleep, poor concentration and weakness after illness.

Avena sativa is the common oat, a cereal grass grown for grain and fodder across the cooler parts of the world. Its tall, hollow stems carry loose, drooping clusters of grain. Homoeopathy prepares its tincture from the fresh green plant rather than from the ripe grain.

Classic texts describe it as acting on the brain and nerves. Homoeopaths traditionally use it for nervous exhaustion and debility after an exhausting illness, sleeplessness, an inability to keep the mind on one subject, nervous headaches and trembling in older people. It is a common base in homoeopathic tonics.

• Nervous exhaustion
• Weakness after illness
• Poor sleep
• Poor concentration