Description and Introduction History: Oats have been noticed by the ancient Greek and Roman writers; at present they are cultivated in nearly all northern temperate latitudes. Their native country is unknown, though they are stated to be indigenous in Sicily and in a certain Chilean island.
When the seed is stripped of all its teguments, including its innermost, silky, fibrous covering it constitutes groats; and when this is ground into fine meal or flour it is called prepared groats.
When the seed is kiln-dried, stripped of its husk and delicate outer skin, and then coarsely ground it constitutes the oatmeal of Scotland, a common, farinaceous article of food for laboring people and children (C).
Many forms of "rolled oats" are now a general article of commerce, forming excellent cereal foods. Oats are largely used in America as food for horses and cattle. American oatmeal is said to be inferior to the foreign preparations.
This plant is a nerve-tonic, stimulant, and antispasmodic.
It ranks among the most important restoratives for conditions depending upon nervous prostration, and for the nervous exhaustion consequent upon typhoid and other low fevers, and the accidental disorders arising from these complaints, as weak heart, spermatorrhoea, insomnia, etc.
In enfeebled states of the heart muscle it acts as a good tonic to improve the energy of the organ, and is recommended by Prof Webster to prevent relapsing cardiac rheumatism.
In this condition it is not thought to be specially antirheumatic, but rather to strengthen that debility upon which the rheumatic diathesis depends, so that the patient is less subject to atmospheric and other impressions.
In spermatorrhoea it is adapted to those cases of debility following a dynamic diseases, or in simple spermatorrhoea when not due to self-abuse.
The atonic state gives rise to a nervous erethism or an enervated condition favorable to nocturnal losses. In cases depending wholly or partially upon prostatic irritation it is of less value, but aids staphisagria, sabal, salix nigra aments, and other indicated remedies Spasmodic conditions of the neck of the bladder are said to be relieved by it.
A few years ago it was much lauded as a remedy to assist the morphine-consumer to throw off the habit, and to sustain the nervous system while undergoing that ordeal.
We have, however, found it to exert but little good in this direction.
A strong tincture may be prepared by crushing or pounding to a pulp the entire oat-plant when the grain is "in the milk," covering with strong alcohol and allowing it to macerate 14 days. The dose is from 10 to 30 drops in hot water; specific avena, 1 to 20 drops every 2 or 3 hours; Keith's concentrated tincture, 1 to 25 drops.
This remedy was introduced by B. Keith Co. Specific Indications and Uses.
Nerve tonic,stimulant,and antispasmodic.
Spasmodic and nervous disorders,with exhaustion;cardiac weakness;nervous debility of convalescence;spermatorrhoea from the nervous erethism of debility;tensive articular swellings.
Avena Properties: Pectorals(bronchitis and colds), Diuretic, Emolient(softens tumors and abscesses), for side pain as in the flanks or behind the rib cage and also used as a nutritional supplement for children and convalecsing patients.

Method of Use For Bronchitis and Colds: Take 1 tablespoon every 2 hours of the mixture made using 50 grams of Oats in 1/2 liter of water.

As a Diuretic: Drink as a daily drink or whenever thirsty the same mixture as above.

To dissolve Tumors and Abscesses: Apply a poultice made of milk, oats, a tablespoon of bee honey, some lemon juice drops and a small piece of Camphor, let dry on the wound then remove slowly with warm water as to not cause too much discomfort, do this regularly until better.

For pain in the flanks or side: Smear on the affected part a mixture made with Oats and Vinegar. To Nourish Children and Convalescents:Prepare a Pap of Oats and Milk.