-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Linum usitatissimum (Flax, Linseed)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Linum usitatissimum

synonyms: flax, linseed, lint bells, winterlien, leinsamen, flachssamen, grain de lin, lino, lino usuale, keten, bazen, tesi-mosina, alashi, sufulsi, hu-ma-esze

part(s) used:

qualities:

affinities:

actions:

dosage:

» oil: 15-30 ml.

» flaxseed meal applied externally as poultice

» 10.0 g (ca. 2 1/2 tbsp.) whole or cracked seeds with meals, 2-3 times daily (McGuffin)

therapy: cardiovascular disease; auto-immune conditions: multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.; dysmennorhea, premenstrual syndrome; asthma

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d

toxicity: 0

» contraindicated in open wounds or abraded surfaces possibly to prevent adherence and retention of whole seeds in wounds if used as a poultice (Brinker, 1989)

» contraindicated in intestinal obstruction to avoid dangerous impaction of bowels (Wichtl, De Smet)

» contraindicated in pregnancy due to emmenagoue effect (Brinker, 1996; Farnsworth)

» take seeds with at least 150 ml of water; in cases of bowel inflammation, seeds should be pre-soaked (McGuffin)

» handling of fresh plant may cause contact dermatitis (Fuller and McClintock, p. 372)

» large quantities of seeds may produce an impairment of the digestive system (Phillips, pp. 91-92)

constituents: fixed oil, "flaxseed oil" (30-40%), consisting mainly of glycerides of linoleic and linolenic acids; mucilage, cyanogenic glycosides, protein

footnotes

Brinker F. 1989. To Health With Herbs (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics. vol. I, Alstat E (comp.)), Portland, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Phillips, C.D. 1879. Materia Medica and Therapeutics: Vegetable Kingdom. New York: William Wood and Company.

Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.

as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Fuller, T.C., and McClintock, E. 1986. Poisonous Plants of California. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

Phillips, C.D. 1879. Materia Medica and Therapeutics: Vegetable Kingdom. New York: William Wood and Company.

Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.

al Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton: CRC Press.