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Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations | Ayervedic Formulas | Chinese Formulas Flax
Scientific Names
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedSeeds Description of Plant(s) and CultureFlax is a delicate annual plant 8-22 inches high; the slender, wiry, glabrous, single, leafy, stem has few branches and bears alternate, sessile, simple, entire, lanceolate to oblong, linear, leaves. The numerous leaves are stalkless, alternate, linear with three parallel nerves. Each branch has one or two, delicate, blue or violet-blue, five-petaled, funnel-shaped, slightly overlapping petals (1/2-3/4 inches across), flowers from June to August. The fruit is an 8- to 10-seeded capsule; the seeds are smooth, flattened, shiny, oval beaked, and light brown. Zones 5-10. Not heat-tolerant. This is the common flaxseed. Another flax plant, purging flax or fairy flax (Linum catharticum), is common in European meadows and pastures. It has opposite leaves and white flowers. In small quantities the plant has purgative properties; in large quantities it is emetic. An infusion of the dried herb is used. Caution: large quantities of purging flax can cause fatal poisoning. Another variety: Blue flax (Linum Lewisii) is known to the
Shoshone Indians as "Poohi natesua." This plant's root was steeped
for eye medicine. The Paiute Indians called it "Alai natesua" and
the whole stem was steeped and used for disorders of the stomach and
gas. Where FoundWidely cultivated in the United States (mostly the northwestern states),
Canada, and Europe but also found wild along roadsides, railroad lines,
old fields, and in waste places. Native to Europe. Medicinal PropertiesAntiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tussive, demulcent, emollient,
laxative, mucilaginous, pectoral, purgative, tonic Biochemical InformationGlycosides, gum, linamarin, linoleic acid, linolenic acids, mucilage,
oleic acid, protein, saturated acids, tannins, and wax, vitamins A,
B, D, E, minerals and amino acids Legends, Myths and StoriesOnly mankind eats the starch from the seed and throws away the materials necessary for the metabolism of that starch. The mucilage of the flaxseed, obtained by boiling in water or wine was once used to give body to red wines. Cotton and flax were among the earliest substances used for cloth fabric, having been found throughout remains from ancient Egypt and in both the old and new worlds. (linen and linsey-woolsey) Cultivated since at least 5,000 BC. Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen cloth woven from the stalks of the flax plant. As early as the Mesolithic period, it was known to man for its usefulness. In that era, flax provided both oil and fiber for garments, as the remains of prehistoric lake dwellers in Switzerland indicate. In 8th century France, Charlemagne passed laws requiring his subjects to consume the seeds to keep the people healthy. The cultivation of flax in Egypt can be traced back to the 14th century BC; flaxseed intended as provisions for the last journey was found in Egyptian burial chambers. Hippocrates (around 500 BC) and Paracelsus (Theophrastus von Hohenheim 1493-1541) refer to flaxseed mucilage as a soothing cough remedy. The flax herb is cultivated in China for its seeds and oil. UsesSource of linseed oil and linen. Said to be soothing and softening to irritated membranes. The ground seed mixed with boiling water to make a thick mush is used for poultices. Any herb, such as smartweed, elm bark, hops, mullein, or any other herbs recommended, can be added. Use as a poultice on old sores, boils, inflammations, skin ulcers, wounds, and tumors. Poultices should be changed at least every 2 hours; have a new, hot poultice ready to apply before the old one is removed. Used for female disorders, colon problems. Promotes strong nails, bones, and teeth and healthy skin. A decoction of the seeds can be used for coughs, catarrh, chronic bronchitis, asthma, pleurisy, fever, dropsy, leprosy, pimples, age spots, burns, scalds, gout, inflammation, cystitis, lung and chest problems, and digestive, gastritis, dyspepsia, diarrhea, and urinary disorders. To eliminate gallstones, take 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp. linseed oil and lie down on your left side for a half hour. The gallstones will pass into the intestines and be eliminated from there. Eating the seeds intact is useful for chronic constipation. The seeds swell up in the intestines, encouraging elimination by increasing the volume of fecal matter. For emollient uses and for rheumatic complaints, apply a linseed poultice. The oil was a folk remedy used for pleurisy and pneumonia. The seed has been used for ages as a medicine. Take 1 tsp. of the whole seed mixed with water, orange juice, vegetable juice, etc., to provide a gentle lubricant laxative. Or use this mixture as an enema. To remove foreign bodies from the eye: place a grain of whole flaxseed under the lower lid, close the lids. The seed becomes surrounded by a thick, adherent mucilage, which entraps the foreign body, and soon carries it out from the angle of the eye. If the particle is not removed easily, consult a doctor. Linseed oil is obtained from the crushed seeds. Flax is also grown for the linen fibers which are obtained from the stems. Oils from the seeds used in many medications, paints and linoleum. A flaxseed placed in the eye will remove any foreign matter in the
eye. Formulas or DosagesUse only ripe seeds. Immature seed pods can cause poisoning. Infusion: use 1 tsp. seed in 1 cup boiling water, let cool and take 1 or 2 mouthfuls 3 times a day. Decoction: use 1 tbsp. seed with 1 qt. water. Boil until 1/2 qt. liquid remains. Take in the course of a day. Poultice: Cook seeds until they are soft (or use pulverized seed). Put them immediately into a linen bag and apply as hot as can be tolerated. Seeds: For constipation, take 1-2 tbsp. whole seeds, washing
them down with lots of water. If necessary, follow with stewed prunes. Nutrient ContentVitamins A, B, D, E, minerals and amino acids, Omega-3 fatty acid How SoldLinseed oil Flax seeds WarningFlaxseeds may not be strong enough for severe constipation and may feed congestion in the colon. Seek professional medical advise if severely constipated or blood in the stool. Linseed oil deteriorates rapidly, prepare fresh often. DO NOT take artist's linseed oil internally. Immature seed pods can cause poisoning. Caution: large quantities of purging flax can cause fatal poisoning. Contains a cyanide-like compound. Oil may be emetic and purgative. Overdoses cause respiratory distress and paralysis.
Resource LinksLiveStrong.com: Is Flaxseed Good for Hormones? ' LiveStrong.com: What Does Flax Oil Do for a Diet? LiveStrong.com: Does Flaxseed Oil Reduce Cholesterol? LiveStrong.com: Natural Methods for Lowering Triglycerides & Cholesterol MayoClinic.com: Cholesterol-lowering supplements University of Maryland Medical Center: Flaxseed Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Flaxseed U.S. National Library of Medicine: Flaxseed & Flaxseed Oil National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Flaxseed & Flaxseed Oil Mayo Clinic: Flaxseed & Flaxseed Oil PubMed.gov: Flaxseed reduces total and LDL cholesterol in Native American postmenopausal women. PubMed.gov: Experimental and clinical research findings on the cardiovascular benefits of flaxseed. PubMed.gov: Flaxseed extract lowers cholesterol and glucose in hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Bibliography
Herbal Gardening, compiled by The Robison York State Herb Garden, Cornell Plantations, Matthaei Botanical Gardens of the University of Michigan, University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley., Pantheon Books, Knopf Publishing Group, New York, 1994, first edition
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Chih-ma
(Chinese name)
The Herb Book
, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994Copyright © 1996-2010 Lynn DeVries, all rights reserved.