With winter right around the corner, that means there is much drier and colder weather ahead. Whether you live in a climate that gets snow or not, winter always brings dry weather. During dry weather periods, it can be helpful to nourish your body with even more vitamins and minerals. That’s where this oatstraw infusion comes in. It’s packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that help keep your body nourished through these dry times.
Herbal Remedy for Santa Ana Winds
In Southern California, we may not get snow, but we get hot & cold dry Santa Ana Winds. Coming off the high desert, these winds dry out everything they touch, including myself. The drying effect is unpleasant and can lead to intense headaches due to a lack of hydration and minerals. Whenever I see the Santa Ana winds in the forecast, I turn to the plants & begin to prep as many nutrient-dense herbal remedies as I can. My go-to for the Santa Ana winds is preparing this simple oatstraw infusion as it’s filled with vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins to support and nourish the nervous system. I prep a large batch and let it infuse overnight before the winds come so I have it right away in the morning. Or if I forgot it’s easy to make right away to enjoy warm. This allows me to stay hydrated & nourished when I need it the most during Vata season.
Calm for Holiday Season to Everyday Life
While the holidays bring a lot of joy and blessings, there is always just a hint of added stress. Whether it’s cooking a large meal for the family, finding that last-minute gift, or just attending all the holiday get-togethers, the extra stress can be exhausting. Luckily, this oatstraw infusion is a simple way to calm your nerves. That’s because oats are nervine. According to Herbal Academy, “oats are used to deeply relax and re-building the nerves”. Not only do you get the benefits of the added vitamins and minerals, but you also get the relaxing qualities of the oats. The perfect combination to combat winter dryness and holiday stress!
Simple Recipe, Abundance of Benefits
You’d think with all the benefits, this would come with an overly complex recipe, but it doesn’t. All you need is boiling water, a large mason jar, and some oatstraw. I usually use a ratio of 2-3 tablespoons of oatstraw per 2 cups of boiling water. Simply place the oatstraw on the bottom of the mason jar and pour over the boiling water. Let the oatstraw infuse for a minimum of 10-20 minutes. If you want to extract more of the minerals, infuse overnight. To prepare for an extra cold forecast or the Santa Ana winds, I will double or triple the recipe in a really large mason jar. I let the oatstraw infusion sit overnight to extract all the vitamins and minerals. Then filter out the oatstraw in the morning and re-heat if you prefer.
Oatstraw Energetic Properties
Energetically oatstraw is cooling which makes it a wonderful ally for summer as well. If in the cooler seasons you need warming re-heart your infusion to drink it warm or add a teaspoon of touch ginger for balance.
Other Oatstraw Recipes
Other Helpful Oatstraw Resources
- How to have a Sensational Experience with Oatstraw, from our friends at The Herbal Academy
- All about Herbal Infusions, from Mother Earth Living
Nourishing Oatstraw Infusion
Ingredients
- 3-4 tablespoons of Oatstraw
- 2 cups of boiling filtered water
Instructions
- Pour oatstraw into a glass mason jar (I prefer 32 oz).
- Pour hot water over the plant material.
- Steep for 10-15 minutes, or overnight for a deeper infusion.
- Strain the plant material, and enjoy warm or cool!