Overview:

Flax is an annual plant that grows in temperate and tropical regions.  It reaches a height of  about 47 inches with slender stems.  The leaves are lancet shaped and from 1-2 inches long by 1.5 inches wide.  The flowers of flax are a pale blue and produces a dry seed capsule with several shiny brown seeds.

Archeological research shows that the use of flaxseed as a food source began about 9,000 years ago in what is now modern day Turkey.  From its beginnings in Turkey flaxseed spread through out the ancient world.  This includes ancient Egypt where the fibers in the stems where first used to make linen.  Flaxseed or linseed oil was the first oil to be commercially produced.  Solvent processed linseed oil has been used for centuries as a drying agent in paints and varnished.  In fact, it was the “oil” in oil based paints.

Active Ingredients:

Nutritional value of flaxseed in a 45 gram serving

Chemically active substances in dulse are:

• fiber including, ligans (phytoestrogens), hemi-cellulose, and cellulose
• alpha-linolenic acid an moega-3 fatty acid
• albumin
• linustatin
• linamarin

Traditional uses:

Some of the uses of flaxseed in traditional medicine are:

• for its high mucilage content makes it and excellent way to promote the health of the digestive tract.  It is also helpful in relieving the symptoms of gastritis and diarrhea by bulking up the stool and slowing down its movement through the digestive tract.
• a drawing poultice for wounds and skin eruptions
• detoxification
• sore throats

Clinical uses:

Because of its high alpha-linolitic acid content, flaxseed is used in the clinical setting

• as an anti-inflammatory in the treatment of Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome
• to lower cholesterol and decrease blood pressure.  Evidence suggests that diets rich in ALA are less likely to suffer a fatal heart attack. 
• restore and maintain the health of the digestive tract.
• to relieve the joint tenderness of rheumatoid arthritis
• to relive depression.  Studies have shown that the lack of omega-3-fatty acids (ALA is one of them) can lead to depression.
• The ligans in flaxseed have been show to play a role in cancer prevention and may slow the growth of tumor cells.  Studies have suggested that these ligans may help prevent the spread of melanoma to the lungs.

Recommended Dosage:

Flaxseed should be taken with lots of water to prevent bowel problems.

Pediatric

Flaxseed can be safely used in children.  It can be used to help balance the essential fatty acids and to relieve constipation.
In children 2-12 years old add 1tsp per day of ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil to relieve constipation.

In breast feed infants a mother may take flaxseed meal or oil to increase that fat content of breast milk.

Adult

• Decoction (a strong tea):  boil 15gms in 8oz of water, simmer for 10-15 minutes and strain.  This makes a soothing gruel and can be taken through out the day as needed.
• Ground flaxseed or oil- 1tbls 2-3 times a day with large amounts of water

Contra-indications:

Flaxseed is generally considered as safe in normal doses.  However:

1.  do not take flaxseed if there is any indication of impacted or blocked bowels
2. taking excessive amount of flaxseed without proper fluid intake can lead to ilius.
3. because of its mucilage content the absorption of other medications could be effected.  Any medication should be taken an hour before or after taking flaxseed.
4. always let your health care practioner know when you begin taking flaxseed or flaxseed oil.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a health care provider before using flaxseed or flaxseed oil.

Drug interactions

• blood thinning medication.  Omega-3 fatty acids may increase the effect of aspirin or warfarin.  Consult your health care practioner as dosage may need to be adjusted
• medications to lower cholesterol (statins)  as increasing the levels of the omega-3 fatty acids may increase the effectiveness of these medications.
• Cyclosporine, again it has been shown that the omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the toxic side effects of this medication in people who have undergone organ transplant.
• NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs).  Some studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risks of stomach ulcers from these medications.

Web References

1. Angerer P, von Schacky C. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the cardiovascular system. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2000;11(1):57-63.
2. Appel LJ. Nonpharmacologic therapies that reduce blood pressure: a fresh perspective. Clin Cadiol. 1999;22(Suppl. III):III1-III5.
3. Arnold LE, Kleykamp D, Votolato N, Gibson RA, Horrocks L. Potential link between dietary intake of fatty acid and behavior: pilot exploration of serum lipids in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 1994;4(3):171-182.
4. Baumgaertel A. Alternative and controversial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatr Clin of North Am. 1999;46(5):977-992.
5. Belluzzi A, Boschi S, Brignola C, Munarini A, Cariani C, Miglio F. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(suppl):339S-342S.
6. Boelsma E, Hendriks HF. Roza L. Nutritional skin care: health
7. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5, Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.
8. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9, Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.
9. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981 ISBN 0-600-37216-2, Covers plants in Europe. a drawing of each plant, quite a bit of interesting information.
10. Mabey. R. Plants with a Purpose. Fontana 1979 ISBN 0-00-635555-2, Details on some of the useful wild plants of Britain. Poor on pictures but otherwise very good.
11. Meydani M. Omega-3 fatty acids alter soluble markers of endothelial function in coronary heart disease patients. Nutr Rev. 2000;58(2 pt 1):56-59.
12. Mitchell EA, Aman MG, Turbott SH, Manku M. Clinical characteristics and serum essential fatty acid levels in hyperactive children. Clin Pediatr. 1987;26:406-411.
13. Prasad K. 1997. Dietary flax seed in prevention of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis 1997 Jul 11;132(1):69-76.
14. Stitt, PA 1997. History of Flax – 9000 years ago to 1986. Proc. of the 57th Flax Institute of the USA, March 26-28, 1998, Doublewood Inn, Fargo, North Dakota. J.F. Carter, ed. North Dakota State Univ., Fargo, ND pp. 152-153.
15. Thompson LU, Rickard SE, Orcheson LJ, et al. 1996. Flaxseed and its lignan and oil components reduce mammary tumor growth at a late stage of carcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 17: 1373-6.
16. Thompson, L.U. 1998. Experimental studies on lignans and cancer. Baillieres Clin Endocrinol Metab; 12:691–705.
17. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975 ISBN 0-600-33545-3 Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.