Bratoszewice

Probably evolved in central or northern Europe from wild Avena sterilis L. Wind pollinated. Edible plant - grains cooked an prepare different ways; raw - used for fermentation; oat flour produced in the dry-milling operation currently is used as an antioxidant in food products; the roasted seeds stand for the coffee substitute; an edible oil is obtained from seeds, it is used in the manufacture of breakfast cereals. Herbal plant - the seed is a mealy nutritive herb that is antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, emollient, nervine and stimulant; the seed contains the antitumor compound b-sitosterol and has been used as a folk remedy for tumours; when consumed regularly, oat germ reduces blood cholesterol levels; oat straw and the grain are prescribed to treat general debility and a wide range of nervous conditions.