Medicinal Uses
bronchitis
cold
coughs
sore throat
boils
burns
sores
chicken skin (back of arms)
dandruff
brittle nails
cancer/ tumors
carbuncles
conjunctivitis
corns
diarrhea
constipation
gonorrhea
gout
inflammation
intoxication
labor
rheumatism
sclerosis
spasms
swelling
lupus erythematosus
lupus nephritis
irritation of the urinary tract
hyperglycemia/diabetes​diverticulitis
colon damage due laxatives
heart disease
neurological disorders
gastritis and enteritis
high triglyceride levels
high blood pressure
high cholesterol
atherosclerosis
coronary artery disease
metabolic syndrome
attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
menopause
breast pain (cyclic mastalgia)
breast cancer
obesity/ weight loss
HIV/AIDS
depression
malaria
rheumatoid arthritis
upper respiratory infection
enlarged prostate
osteoporosis
endometrial cancer
lung cancer
colon cancer
prostate cancer
hemodialysis treatment
acne
eczema
psoriasis
autoimmune disorders
menopausal symptoms
carpal tunnel syndrome
dry eye syndrome
Constituents
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Phytoestrogenic compounds called lignans, which have hormone-like effects on the body
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Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a building block of omega-3 fatty acids; protects the kidneys from damage
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Contains the anticancer agents 3'-demethylpodophyllotoxin, podophyllotoxin and b-sitosterol
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Good source of soluble and insoluble fiber
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Vitamins B1, B2, B6, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese
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Energetics
Flaxseeds are neutral, so they are neither warming or cooling, and they have a sweet flavor. Sweet ingredients like flax seeds tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and blood.
Meridian affinity: Stomach, Large intestine and Liver.
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Contraindications
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Don’t eat raw or unripe flaxseeds, which may contain potentially toxic compounds
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Flaxseed may change the way your body absorbs other medicines taken by mouth
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May cause nausea, severe stomach pain, bloating, gas, heartburn, or diarrhea may occur
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Serious allergic reactions have occurred including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing
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Patients with bleeding disorders should use caution due to the increase chance of bleeding complications
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May cause a thyroid problem
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Flax poultice should not be used on open wounds
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Dry flax seeds should be premixed with plenty of water to avoid digestive upsets
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Avoid if you have IBS
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History
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The Latin name for flax means "most useful" and describes this herb well.
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Flax is an annual herb believed to be a native ofEgypt.
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Its fibers formed the white sails of Homer's Odyssey.
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Around 500 B.C., Hippocrates wrote about flaxseed being a laxative.
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Flaxseed has been eaten as a food or used as a medicine since 5000 BC.
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Pioneers in North America made flaxseed dressings for cuts and burns. Flax was one of the first crops domesticated by man and was used primarily for fiber.
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It wasn’t until the invention of the cotton gin that flax production began to decline.
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Fiber from the plant is made into linen, and oil from the seed is used in paints and other products.
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It has been cultivated worldwide for so many centuries.
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Flaxseed is one of the oldest cultivated plants worldwide (Wichtl and Bisset, 1994).
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Flaxseed, and cloth woven from flax, has been found in Egyptian tombs.
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The Bible mentions in Exodus 28 that the Jewish high priests wore garments made from flax (Grieve, 1979).
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Common Names
Flaxseed, Flax, Linseed, Lint Bells, Linum, Winterlien, Linen Flax
Botanical Name
Linum usitatissimum (meaning "most useful")
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Family
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Parts Used
The seeds​
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Therapeutic Actions
anodyne
antioxidative
antiatherogenic
astringent
cyanogenctic
demulcent
diuretic
emollient
expectorant
laxative
mucilage
phytoestrogen
suppurative
vulnerary
emollient
demulcent
pectoral
diuretic
astringent
develops brain function
lowers LDL serum cholesterol
antiplatelet aggregation
anti- inflammatory
antimetastatic
reduces proteinuria
increases creatinine clearance
reduces glomerulosclerosis
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Proper Use
Yellow and golden flaxseeds are used mostly for culinary uses. Brown flaxseed is used mostly in the production of paint (as an oil additive) and linen. It is also used as cattle feed.
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To extend the shelf life of flaxseed buy it whole. Whole flaxseed stays fresher longer than ground seeds. Whole flaxseed needs to be stored in an airtight container and put in a cool, dark, dry place (like the fridge). If stored properly flaxseeds will stay fresh up to 3 months. To extend the life, store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
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If you are buying flaxseed oil get cold-pressed or organic. It should be stored in an opaque bottle and stored in the fridge.
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Always grind flaxseeds before serving to allow for easier digestion and absorption of the nutrients. To break open the hard seed shell, you can use a coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle.
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Rinse quinoa in a fine strainer with cold water to remove bitterness. Rinse until water runs clear and is no longer frothy.
Cultivation
Common flax, like its cousins, is a cool season plant, and seeds should be planted as soon as the ground can be worked in spring. A late frost won’t usually harm the plants once they emerge, as seedlings with at least two leaves can tolerate temperatures as low as 28 F. (-2 C.).
Plant in a sunny, sheltered site in well-drained, rich soil and a generous amount of compost, manure or other organic matter, especially if your soil is poor. Cover seeds with no more than ½ inch of soil, and then water the area, using a fine spray to prevent washing the seeds from the soil. Seeds should germinate in about 10 days.
Water the seeds regularly to keep the soil even moist, but not drenched. Once the plants are established, supplemental irrigation is needed only during periods of warm, dry or windy weather. A thin layer of mulch will help control weeds while moderating soil moisture and temperature. Usually, established flax plants will choke out weeds; however, regular weeding is critical when the plants are small. Flax plants don’t necessarily require fertilizer, but if your soil is poor, the plants will benefit from a diluted solution of water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks until seeds heads appear. At this point, withhold water so the seeds heads ripen and turn golden yellow. Harvest the seeds by pulling the entire plant out by its roots. Bundle the stems and hang them in a dry place for three to five weeks, or until the seed heads are completely dry.
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Dosage
A typical dose is 15-30ml of the oil per day orally. The powder (crushed/ground flaxseed) in the studies used doses of 15 to 30g/day. The duration of most studies looking at the use of flaxseed in a variety of disease states have shown that it is safe to use for 3 months in dislipidemia, and as a supplement.
One study did use flaxseed for one year, but only a few patients were able to tolerate it for that duration. There is not a standard dose for the topical form, but 30-40 grams of flax flour may be used to form the paste.
Formulary
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Research & References
Cockerell KM, Watkins AS, Reeves LB, Goddard L, Lomer MC. (2012). Effects of linseeds on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot randomised controlled trial. J Hum Nutr Diet. , 25(5):435-43. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-277X.2012.01263.x.
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Hashempur MH, Homayouni K, Ashraf A, Salehi A, Taghizadeh M, Heydari M. (2014). Effect of Linum usitatissimum L. (linseed) oil on mild and moderate carpal tunnel syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Daru. , 22:43. doi: 10.1186/2008-2231-22-43.
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Khalesi S, Irwin C, Schubert M (2015). Flaxseed consumption may reduce blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. Journal of Nutrition. 145 (4): 758–765. doi:10.3945/jn.114.205302.
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Mohammadi-Sartang M, Mazloom Z, Raeisi-Dehkordi H, Barati-Boldaji R, Bellissimo N, Totosy de Zepetnek JO (2017). The effect of flaxseed supplementation on body weight and body composition: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 45 randomized placebo-controlled trials. Obesity Reviews. 18: 1096–1107. doi:10.1111/obr.12550.
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Pan, An; Yu, Danxia; Demark-Wahnefried, Wendy; Franco, Oscar H.; Lin, Xu (2009). Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 90 (2): 288–297. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.27469.
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