When most people think of oats, the first thing they might think of is their grandma's homemade oatmeal raisin cookies. Some may not realize, however, that besides being an ingredient used in delicious snacks and desserts, oats have many health benefits. Here are three amazing medicinal uses of oats.

Oats Lower LDL Cholesterol Levels

It's been known for some time that oats are heart healthy. One of the reasons for this is it can actually help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. This is thanks to the amounts of soluble fiber it contains. Oats contain the highest amounts of this type of fiber and since it takes between 5 to 10 grams of soluble fiber a day to lower cholesterol, eating oatmeal for breakfast is a great way to start the day.

If you're also looking for a whole grain with the lowest glycemic index, steel-cut oats are your best bet. One word of caution when adding oats to your diet, is that although they don't contain gluten, oats are grown alongside other crops that do contain gluten which makes it possible for cross contamination.

Oats Can Help Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer

Because of their high fiber content, eating oats can help to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Fiber helps food move through the digestive tract and in the process of doing so it removes dangerous toxins from that part of the body. For those who consume fibrous foods in the hopes to prevent cancer, experts suggest eating between 30 to 35 per grams a day.

Oats Can Be Used to Treat Eczema

If you are looking for an eczema treatment, try something that contains oats. According to the National Eczema Association, adding oatmeal to your bath or making a paste out of oatmeal can help reduce itching. While you can find eczema treatments made out of oats in the store, many people make their own eczema skin cream. Most choose to ground the oats very finely in a food processor or blender and add coconut oil and olive oil. Researchers have come to find that oats contain chemicals called avenanthramides that are responsible for helping to ease redness and inflammation of the skin.

If you haven't added oats to your diet, now is a great time to start. Eating this high fiber food is a great way to stay healthy. Besides that, using oats in your skincare regimen is an easy way to keep skin soft and combat eczema.