Linum usitatissimum
(Flax, Linseed)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Bulking agent
• Demulcent
• Emollient
• Laxative
• Lubricating agent
• Mucilaginous agent

Clinical Indications:

• Allergies
• Cholelithiasis
• Hemorrhoids due to constipation
• Psoriasis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Boils
• Constipation
• GI inflammation
• Irritative cough
• Pharyngitis
• Skin irritations
• Upper respiratory infections

Contraindications:

• Bowel obstruction

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Oral drugs or herbs taken at the same time as flax may have delayed absorption due to the mucilage content

Chemical Constituents:

• Amygdalin
• Linamarine-a cyanogenic glycoside
• Linoleic and linolenic acids
• Mucilage
• Protein

Toxicity:

• None known

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).