Greetings!
Oatstraw is the "stem" or straw of the oat plant which is a grassy herb grown for its sweet, nutrient rich seeds (oats). The Oat Straw of the plant has soothing, calmitive properties for all animals and people. It is a mild and benign herb (unless one has an allergy to oats) that is usually safe for youngsters. It builds the immune system, supports digestion, is healing to the nerves and skin and loosens tension in the body.
To gain these effects, the oatstraw should be brewed as a tea or infusion - for HORSES, use two large handfuls to 2 quarts of water just off the boil. Let this steep for half an hour then strain and give to the horse as a tea to drink or poured over his ration. The water releases the active compounds and suspends them so the body can absorb and utilize the calming effect when ingested.
For DOGS the tea can be made with one tablespoon herb to 2 cups of water, then give 1/4 cup to a small dog, 1/2 cup to a large dog.
People can drink the tea from a teaspoon of herb in a tea ball or bag to one cup of water. This is great before bedtime.
For horses, the calming Oatstraw tea is not going to "test" at competitions where more sedative herbs and compounds are forbidden. Oat HAY still has the oats (seeds) and is fed - Oat STRAW is the stem after oat harvest.
The Oatstraw herb can be found at health food stores and herbalists where it is very pure and in a chopped form. If any being gets loose bowels or has any swelling or trouble breathing - these may be signs of an allergic reaction. Contact your health care practitioner (and cease use of the allergen).
We do not presume to diagnose or prescribe for you or your animals and the FDA has not approved the information on herbs.
photo by GA Rosile