The oat (Avena sativa), sometimes called the common oat, is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed.

Oats are best grown in temperate regions. They have a lower summer heat requirement and greater tolerance to rain than other cereals, such as wheat, rye, or barley, so they are particularly important in areas with cool, wet summers, such as Northwest Europe and even Iceland. Oats are an annual plant and can be planted either in autumn (for late summer harvest) or in the spring (for early autumn harvest).

Based on TCM, oat can be used to:

1. supplements qi and blood
2. moves qi
3. strengthens nerves, muscles, and sinews
4. dispels dampness.

The preparation methods of oats are decoction, ground, porridge, or rolled oats.

Oat contains especially valuable protein (contains all essential amino acids), fat, vitamins B1 and B2, calcium, iron, manganese, silicon, and zinc.

Some indications that can be reduced by oats are:

 - General qi, blood, and yang vacuity.

 - Exhaustion

 - Recovery after extended, chronic, draining illnesses.

 - General physical lack of strength, especially in pale, weak children and elderly people.