Avena sativa - Oats
"CONSTITUENTS: Avenin, fixed oil.
PREPARATIONS: Specific Medicine Avena. Dose: from five to sixty minims. Concentrated Tincture Avena. Dose: from five to thirty minims. Therapy: It will be found directly serviceable in paralysis and wasting disease of the aged, in nerve tremors, and especially in chorea and in paralysis agitans. It has been beneficial in epilepsy.
In the convalescence of prostrating disease, and during the asthenic or later stages of inflammatory and exanthematous disease and diphtheria, it is as important as quinine and strychnia, and certainly as reliable.
The local paralysis of diphtheria, has no better antidote, and if given in hot infusion during the course of acute exanthematous disease, it quickly determines the eruption to the surface and promotes convalescence.
Because of its selective action upon the nervous structure which supplies the reproductive organs, it will be found to allay nervous excitement, nervous palpitation of the heart, insomnia and mental weakness, or failure and general debility caused by masturbation, over sexual indulgence, or onanism. It is a sovereign remedy in impotency. This writer has had better satisfaction in the use of this agent in the temporary impotence of young newly married men, than from any other single remedy or combination of remedies. If there be prostatic or other local irritation, a combination of this agent with saw palmetto will cover the field.
In uterine or ovarian disorders with hysterical manifestations it is of much service. The nervous headaches of the menstrual epoch, especially those accompanied with burning on the top of the head, and sick headaches apparently from disordered stomach at this time, or in fact sick headache at any time if accompanied with nervous weakness, are all promptly benefited by Avena Sativa, provided gastric acidity is neutralized. In atonic amenorrhea with great feebleness, it is valuable. In neuralgic and congestive dysmenorrhea, with slow and imperfect circulation and cold skin and extremities, it is an excellent remedy.
Dr. Simmons of Toledo, Ohio, in the Gleaner, mentioned the use of avena in acute coryza. His method resulted in a manner highly satisfactory in every case. Those who are subject to colds in the head, he furnishes with a small vial of specific avena. With the first indication he has them take twenty drops of hot water. This may be repeated or increased to thirty or forty drops in two hours, but the third dose is usually sufficient to remove every evidence of coryza if present, and to prevent its occurence. The first evidences of its action may appear in five minutes. If twenty drops do not produce a feeling of warmth in the face and flushing of the skin, the next dose is increased.
This agent exercises a restorative power in overcoming the habits of alcohol, tobacco, morphine, and opium. It will enhance the value of other prescribed agents.
In the treatment of the morphine habit, our subsequent experience has not confirmed our early anticipations, and yet it is a useful addition to the treatment. It should be used in conjunction with capsicum, strychnine, xanthoxylum, or hyoscyamine hydrochlorate, and sustained in its action by persistent concentrated nutrition.
In conjunction with cactus, or apocynum, as these remedies are indicated, it will be found of much service in the treatment of weak heart, and the resulting complications. Webster lays much stress upon its action as a remedy to prevent the recurrence of cardiac rheumatism. This influence would be facilitated by combination with specific alteratives, and remedies that will facilitate the elimination of uric acid, without depressing the action of the heart.
The persistent use of this remedy, especially if conjoined with capsicum or minute doses of strychnine, will be found of great assistance in certain cases of paralysis. Its nerve restorative and persistently tonic properties are exercised fully here.
In a case of cerebral hemorrhage, from which recovery was not to be expected, Dr. French used ergot and avena with bromide as an occasional sedative, with satisfactory results. He says: "I also give avena for the symptoms of nervous breakdown and exhaustion, regardless of the name of the special disease from which they may be suffering. Some patients claim to realize almost instantaneous effects on taking it while others are less easily affected. In all well-known cases selected for the indications of paralysis and deficiency of nerve power, it seems to me to be good."
(Finley Ellingwood: The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1915)