Flaxseed

Latin name: Linum usitatissimum

Family: Linaceae

Folk Names: Alashi, barleans flax, brazen, common flax, linen flax, lint bells, linum, winterlien, linen seed.

• 

• 

DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERISTICS 

Part of the Plant Used

Ripe seed.

CONSTITUENTS

• 30-40% of fixed oils which includes linoleic, linolenic and oleic acids
• Mucilage, protein, the glycoside linamarin (Hoffman)
• Wax, resin, sugars
• lecithin
• Ascetic acid – balance blood viscosity & stimulate enzymes

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), cyanogenic glycosides (linamarin, linustatin, neolinustin), unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid), soluble flaxseed fiber mucilage, lignans,monoglycerides, triglycerides, free sterols, sterol esters, hydrocarbons (protein), balast, phenylpropane derivatives. 

Antiarrhythmic, anticoagulant and antiplatelet effects, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antilipemic, antineoplastic, antioxidant, arterial compliance, cognitive and hormonal effects, anti-inflammatory and laxative, renoprotective and weight loss effects.

THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

• Demulcent
• Anti-tussive
• Laxative
• Emollient (Hoffman)
• Anodyne
• Anti-inflammatory (Ody)
• Lubricate the GIT – especially the lower bowel (Hall).

Clinical: Colitis, constipation, diverticulitis, gastritis, high cholesterol, inflammation, intestinal inflammation. Cancer especially breast colon and endometrial, dermatitis, lupus,  can you disease, mucous membrane inflammation.

Folk:   Arthritis, boils, bronchitis, Burns, cold, coughing, fever, gallbladder problems, gout, lung problems, malaria, mucous membrane inflammation, pleurisy, pneumonia, sore throat, urinary tract infections.

Energetics: Moist, warm, sweet; the oil is drying.

HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS

Few, if any, reported when taken in reasonable amounts. Flaxseed could cause problems if you have any intestinal obstructions. Abnormal or high dosages could upset the body’s electrolytes or temporary cause symptoms of cyanide poisoning. Flaxseed could also interfere with the absorption of medications. Avoid if you have a known allergy. Do not consume flaxseed or flaxseed oil during breastfeeding or pregnancy. Use caution and clients taking aspirin or anticoagulants. 

Flaxseed oil can become rancid, inspect prior to each use. Massage into skin well – ligaments, strains, tight torn or cut. Rub in very well! Can “put the snap back in your elastic!” Can also renew skin after burns. NEEDS TO BE APPLIED REGULARLY. Lubricates.

FORMULARY 

Dosage

One 1300 mg capsule standardized for 740 mg of ALA daily or 1 tbsp of whole or crushed seeds which have been bruised two to three times daily.

Combinations: A poultice for the chest combines well with mustard. For boils, swellings and inflammation it combines with Marshmallow root and Slippery Elm.

0