PDR for Herbal Medicines

314/FLAX PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

curves. The leaves are smooth edged, gray-green, sessile and

almost awn-like acuminate.

Characteristics: The plant flowers only in the morning.

Habitat: The plant is cultivated in temperate and tropical,

regions the world over.

Production: Flaxseed consists of the dried, ripe seed of the

collective variations of Linum usitatissimum as well as its

preparations. The various cultivars of Linum usitatissimum

are equally acceptable for the indications listed. The plant is

cultivated. The ripe seeds are recovered from the capsules by

threshing. The oil contained within the seeds is perishable.

Processing of the seeds should take place by cold pressing at

a temperature below 40° C.

Not to be Confused With: Lolium temulentum and weed

seeds.

Other Names: Flaxseed, Lint Bells, Winterlien, Linseed

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Mucilages (3-10%, in the epidermis, high swelling capacity):

including arabinoxylans, galactans, rhamnogalacturonans

Cyanogenic glycosides (0.05-0.1%): linustatin and neolinus-

tatin (yielding under optimal conditions 30-50 mg HCN per

100 gm)

Fatty oil (30-45%): chief fatty acids linolenic acid (40-70%),

linoleic acid (10-25%), oleic acid (13-30%)

Proteins (20-27%)

Lignans: secoisolariciresinol-diglucoside

Phenylpropane derivatives: including among others,

linusitamarine

EFFECTS

The bulk material and mucins (swelling agent and mucilage)

are responsible for the laxative effect.

In animal experiments a reduction of cholesterol levels in the

liver was observed (due to the unsaturated fatty acids). A

blood sugar lowering effect was also proven. The antitumo-

ral effect is attributed to the lignans (lignans are antimycotic,

anti-oxidative and anti-estrogenic).

Toxic principle: there is a discussion on the toxic effect of

the cyanogenic glycosides in the drug which may cause

prussic acid poisoning in humans. However, neither high

single doses nor chronic intake of linseed have caused any

signs of poisoning in humans.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Constipation
  
  
  • Inflammation of the skin
    Unproven Uses: Internally, Flax is used for irritable colon,
    diverticulitis and as mucilage for gastritis and enteritis. A
    decoction is used for bladder catarrh and inflammation,
    gastritis.
    Externally, Flaxseed is used for removing foreign bodies
    from the eye. A single Flaxseed is moistened and placed
    under the eyelid, the foreign body should stick to the mucous
    secretion of the seed; as cataplasm for local skin
    inflammation.
    Indian Medicine: Flax is used in India as a tea for coughs,
    bronchial conditions, urethritis, diarrhea and gonorrhea;
    externally for skin infections. The seeds are also used in
    Indian veterinary medicine.
    CONTRAINDICATIONS
    Flaxseed is contraindicated in the following conditions:
    ileus, stricture of the esophagus and in the gastrointestinal
    area, acute inflammatory illnesses of the intestine, of the
    esophagus and of the stomach entrance.
    PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
    General: No health hazards or side effects are known in
    conjunction with the proper administration of designated
    therapeutic dosages. The use of large quantities of the drug
    as a laxative with too little fluid intake can lead to an ileus.
    The cyanogenic glycosides present no danger with the intake
    of therapeutic dosages; the glycosides are broken down only
    to a limited extent in the body. An elevation in the
    concentration of cyanide ions and of the detoxification
    product thiocyanic acid in the blood could not be
    demonstrated.
    It is recommended that if flaxseed is taken for inflammatory
    bowel conditions, that the flaxseed be preswollen before use
    (Bisset & Wichtl, 1994).
    Drug Interactions: The absorption of other drugs taken
    simultaneously may be delayed.
    Food Interactions: The absorption of Flaxseed oil is
    facilitated when taken with food.
    DOSAGE
    Mode of Administration: Internally, the cracked or coarsely
    ground seed, in which only the cuticle and mucilage
    epidermis are damaged is used. Linseed gruel and other
    galenic preparations are also available for internal use.
    Externally, as linseed meal or linseed expellent.
    How Supplied:
    Capsules — 1000 mg, 1300 mg
    Oil
    Seeds (whole or crushed)
    Powder