Episode 205: Oats Benefits for Nerves, Digestion & Everyday Health

---

---

Episode Summary

Could the secret to a calmer mind and a healthier gut be hiding in your morning bowl of porridge?

In this episode, I sit down with Swedish herbalist and nutritionist Karoline Karttunen to discuss one of my favorite breakfasts — the humble oats (Avena sativa).

Grains have gotten a bad rap in recent years — and it’s true that highly processed or sugar-laden versions don’t do us any favors. But as Karoline reminds us, whole-grain oats are a true nutritional powerhouse that also carry the same medicinal gifts as oat straw and milky oats — beloved herbal allies for nourishing the nervous system and restoring resilience. She shares how oats support everything from balanced blood sugar to a calmer mind (and even a healthier microbiome).

Karoline is so devoted to her oats that she eats them for breakfast five days a week! She keeps her daily porridge endlessly interesting by rotating the nuts, seeds, fruits, and herbs that she adds to the mix. You can even try her Herbal and Protein-Rich Oatmeal yourself — download the beautifully illustrated recipe card from the resources below.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► How a bowl of oats can calm frazzled nerves and lift your mood naturally

► What butyric acid is—and why your intestinal cells can’t get enough of it

► The truth about so-called “anti-nutrients” like phytic acid (and why you might not need to worry about them)

► How your brain and heart thrive on the right kind of carbs—and why oats are the perfect fuel

► How discoveries in archaeology and anthropology challenge the myth that eating grains is “unnatural” for humans

► and plenty more oat-inspired insights to nourish body and mind….

For those of you who don’t know her, Karoline Karttunen is a Swedish herbalist and nutritionist who brings herbs and food together in her herbal courses, blog and in personal consultations. 

She has in-person courses year round on the west coast of Sweden, as well as offering online courses in herbalism. Karoline’s courses always have a focus on how herbs can strengthen health and be used as a natural part of our everyday life, just as we do with vegetables.

I was already a huge fan of oats, but after talking with Karoline, I couldn’t wait to make them an even bigger part of my herbal routine. I’m so happy to share this conversation with you—and I hope you leave feeling inspired to make yourself a big bowl of porridge, too!

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect with Karoline:

• Website | Way-of-Life.se
• Instagram | @karolineswayoflife
• Facebook | Karolines Way of Life

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [1:08] Introduction to Karoline Karttunen
• [2:29] Karoline’s herbal path
• [8:06] Why oats deserve love: history, nutrition, and misunderstood benefits
• [15:29] How oats help regulate blood sugar
• [17:55] Oats for digestion and the microbiome
• [23:00] Fiber in the human diet: anthropological and archaeological findings
• [27:44] Oats for the nervous system
• [29:46] Herbal and Protein-Rich Oatmeal recipe
• [36:05] Karoline’s current herbal projects
• [38:57] Tips for building an herbal community
• [40:40] How herbalism has surprised Karoline
• [45:26] Student spotlight
• [46:24] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe Download!

This is an oatmeal rich in protein, dietary fiber, and nourishing herbs to keep you full and satisfied for hours. The oatmeal I eat every morning!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup oatmeal
• 1 cup water (or more if desired for a looser consistency)
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 2 Tbsp hemp seeds
• 1 Tbsp maca powder
• 1 Tbsp rosehip powder
• Berries
• Additional seeds, such as sunflower seeds
• Your choice of milk (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix the oatmeal, water, salt and cinnamon together and let it simmer until the oatmeal is thick to your liking. Add as much water as you prefer; some like it loose and some (like myself) like it thick (almost like one big lump).
2. Add the chia seeds, hemp seeds,and herbal powders and mix well (this will thicken the porridge even more).
3. Garnish with berries and additional seeds (personally I prefer sunflower seeds, but any seeds will do), along with your choice of milk if desired. I eat mine with unsweetened apple sauce also.

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 00:38 - Introduction to Karoline Karttunen
• 01:59 - Karoline’s herbal path
• 07:42 - Why oats deserve love: history, nutrition, and misunderstood benefits
• 15:20 - How oats help regulate blood sugar
• 17:46 - Oats for digestion and the microbiome
• 23:01 - Fiber in the human diet: anthropological and archaeological findings
• 27:53 - Oats for the nervous system
• 29:59 - Herbal and Protein-Rich Oatmeal recipe
• 36:29 - Karoline’s current herbal projects
• 39:28 - Tips for building an herbal community
• 41:26 - How herbalism has surprised Karoline
• 46:18 - Student spotlight
• 47:15 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


Are You Ready for More Herbal Inspiration?

The best way to get started is by joining my herbal community and weekly newsletter where I share my best herbal tips and insights.

When you join you’ll also get access to The Herbal Jumpstart Course which helps you figure out the best herbs for you.

Sign up below!

Yes!

Sign me up for weekly herbal tips, recipes, and insights. 

Name:

Email:

We respect your email privacy