Parts used: seeds.
Pharmacy name: linseed – Lini semen (formerly: Semen Lini), linseed oil – Lini oleum (formerly: Oleum Lini).
Botanical description. This is an annual herbaceous plant. On graceful thin stems, reaching a height of about 50-70 cm, next small lanceolate leaves develop and one apical five-membered flower of sky blue, less often white color. Anthers and style of pistil are blue. After flowering, a round box appears with 8-10 brown (or golden yellow) flat, glossy seeds. Blooms from June to August. Found only in cultivated crops, sometimes runs wild. It is considered proven that flax has been cultivated as a cultivated plant since the Stone Age.
Collection and preparation. Seeds are obtained most often in September when flax is threshed and then dried. Only fully ripe, mucus-rich seeds are effective. Linseed oil can also be obtained from not quite mature seeds; for medicinal purposes is oil obtained by cold pressing. active ingredients. The main active ingredient is mucus (large amounts); it is she who is due to the use of flaxseed in medicine. Its action enhances fatty oil. Found in flax seeds and linamarin – a glycoside, which, splitting under the action of enzymes, releases small amounts of hydrocyanic acid.
Healing action and application.Flaxseed finds a very versatile use in medicine. And first of all here it is necessary to say about its use as a laxative for chronic constipation. The fact is that strong laxatives with prolonged use have a negative effect, irritating the intestines and leading to a decrease in the content of minerals in the body (especially potassium). With the help of flaxseed, with some patience (sometimes 2-3 days pass), you can gently achieve punctual bowel movements without any aids. Due to the likelihood of flaxseeds to swell, the volume of the intestinal contents increases, it stretches, as a result of which its contraction (peristalsis) begins. If you use freshly ground flaxseed, the fatty oil will also help to have a laxative effect, acting as a lubricant. Flaxseed is taken crushed or coarsely ground, with a large amount of liquid. Pre-soaking it (except in cases where there is inflammation of the intestines) is not recommended, since the swelling of flaxseed should occur only in the intestines. If flaxseed is mixed with fruit jam or sweetened with honey, then its effect will increase, as with the addition of milk sugar in a 1: 1 ratio. Dosage: Morning and evening, take at least 2 tablespoons of flaxseed. The action does not appear immediately, so be patient. Due to the content of mucus, flaxseed has other advantages. A tincture of it has shown itself well as a rinse for gum disease and other inflammatory processes in the mouth and throat. With a sharp, barking cough and hoarseness, with inflammation of the gastric mucosa, infusion of flaxseed is taken orally, and this remedy is drunk lukewarm; the mucus contained in the seed forms a protective cover of the inflamed and irritated areas of the mucous membrane. Applied as an external remedy (in the form of a slurry in a compress), flaxseed relieves pain and softens boils and abscesses. Flaxseed oil (fatty oil from flaxseeds), used externally, often brings relief and promotes healing in cracking of the skin, with residual foci of scaly lichen (psoriasis), dry exanthema (skin rashes) and above all with painful herpes zoster. Even with warts (applied 2 times each day) and calluses, linseed oil can have a beneficial effect. moreover, they drink this remedy lukewarm; the mucus contained in the seed forms a protective cover of the inflamed and irritated areas of the mucous membrane. Applied as an external remedy (in the form of a slurry in a compress), flaxseed relieves pain and softens boils and abscesses. Flaxseed oil (fatty oil from flaxseeds), used externally, often brings relief and promotes healing in cracking of the skin, with residual foci of scaly lichen (psoriasis), dry exanthema (skin rashes) and above all with painful herpes zoster. Even with warts (applied 2 times each day) and calluses, linseed oil can have a beneficial effect. moreover, they drink this remedy lukewarm; the mucus contained in the seed forms a protective cover of the inflamed and irritated areas of the mucous membrane. Applied as an external remedy (in the form of a slurry in a compress), flaxseed relieves pain and softens boils and abscesses. Flaxseed oil (fatty oil from flaxseeds), used externally, often brings relief and promotes healing in cracking of the skin, with residual foci of scaly lichen (psoriasis), dry exanthema (skin rashes) and above all with painful herpes zoster. Even with warts (applied 2 times each day) and calluses, linseed oil can have a beneficial effect. Applied as an external remedy (in the form of a slurry in a compress), flaxseed relieves pain and softens boils and abscesses. Flaxseed oil (fatty oil from flaxseeds), used externally, often brings relief and promotes healing in cracking of the skin, with residual foci of scaly lichen (psoriasis), dry exanthema (skin rashes) and above all with painful herpes zoster. Even with warts (applied 2 times each day) and calluses, linseed oil can have a beneficial effect. Applied as an external remedy (in the form of a slurry in a compress), flaxseed relieves pain and softens boils and abscesses. Flaxseed oil (fatty oil from flaxseeds), used externally, often brings relief and promotes healing in cracking of the skin, with residual foci of scaly lichen (psoriasis), dry exanthema (skin rashes) and above all with painful herpes zoster. Even with warts (applied 2 times each day) and calluses, linseed oil can have a beneficial effect. with residual foci of scaly lichen (psoriasis), dry exanthema (skin rashes) and, above all, with painful herpes zoster. Even with warts (applied 2 times each day) and calluses, linseed oil can have a beneficial effect. with residual foci of scaly lichen (psoriasis), dry exanthema (skin rashes) and, above all, with painful herpes zoster. Even with warts (applied 2 times each day) and calluses, flaxseed oil can have a beneficial effect.
- Infusion (tea) of flaxseed: 1-2 teaspoons topped with a whole seed pour ‘D l of cold water and infuse for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain the liquid without squeezing. Warm up slightly before use.
- Compress with flaxseed: place the crushed mass of the seed in a gauze bag and hold it (in a suspended form) for about 10 minutes in hot water, and then quickly apply it to the sore spot. What explains the effect of a compress with linseed gruel in an enlarged liver, it is incredible to explain, but relief begins.
The German National Health Service lists the following uses for flaxseed: as a laxative for the treatment of constipation and functional bowel disease; in the form of mucous products (that is, in a pre-soaked state) – as an additional remedy for inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases. You can not use flaxseed for volvulus.
Application in folk medicine. Everything that has been said so far about the use of flaxseed applies to traditional medicine. A bag of flaxseed is a favorite remedy for pain relief: it is applied hot to the cheek for toothache, sciatica and rheumatism, facial neuralgia, abdominal pain, biliary colic, diseases of the bladder and kidneys are treated by applying such bags. It may be that the moist warmth here is the relief.
Side effects. When using flaxseed, there is no reason to fear side effects.