Flax Seed

Other Names

Flax seed, from Linum usitatissimum, is also known as linseed. 1

What Is It?

Flax seed is a glossy, reddish-brown, nutritive seed containing 30 – 45% oil. 2 Flax seed derives from the annual herb flax, or Linum usitatissimum, whose definitive origin remains unknown, but is believed to be native to Europe and Eastern Asia 3 or perhaps Egypt. 4 Employed since ancient times for its fiber, the flax plant is the source of linen, formerly the world’s most popular textile.

Modern interest in flax seed focuses on its high dietary fiber value, its mucilage content

(6 – 10%), and its healthful oils. 2,5 A mildly active bulk laxative 6 flax seed has gained scientific attention for a variety of other possible virtues, including cardiovascular protection, cancer prevention, and kidney protection. 4 Flax seed is sold in bulk, and occurs as an ingredient in cereals and baked goods. Flax seed oil is sold as a dietary supplement.

Medicinal History

Flax has been used by humans since antiquity. Remains of flax have been found in the 10,000 year old excavated settlements of Swiss Lake Dwellers. Flax is generally considered the oldest textile fiber used by humans. Turkish excavations 10,000 years old have yielded fabric presumed to be linen, and Egyptian mummies 5000 years old were generally wrapped in linen. 3

The use of flax seed for medicinal purposes dates back as least as far back as the ancient Romans, and perhaps to the Greeks and Egyptians. The Roman naturalist Caius Plinius Secundus (AD 23-79), who is better known as Pliny The Elder, included flax seed in his encyclopedia of natural science Historia naturalis. Pliny described 30 uses for flax seed, including the two approved by today’s German Commission E, as a laxative and as a poultice for inflammation. 4 According to the Bible (Exodus 28), Jewish high priests wore linen.

Flax seed has enjoyed a long history of folk medicinal use in Asia, Europe and North America. In China flax has been used to treat constipation and dry itching skin. 4 In the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, flax seed is recommended for the treatment of cough, constipation, urinary problems, cardiac diseases, burns, swelling, abscess and eye diseases. 7 Mahatma Gandhi once declared “Wherever flax seed becomes a regular food item among the people, there will be better health.”

Flax was employed by American herbalists, including the famous Dr. John Christopher, who recommended flax seed for a host of health disorders, including bronchitis, inflamed membranes of the respiratory, digestive and urinary organs, kidney irritation and dysentery. 8

Habitat & Cultivation

The earliest known depictions of flax cultivation have been found on Egyptian tombs. 3 From as early as the 8^th century, Europeans cultivated flax seeds on a large scale for both seeds and fiber. Flax for seed is now cultivated throughout the world, except in the tropics and at the poles. Today the primary suppliers of flax seed are Morocco, Argentina, Turkey, India, and China. 4,6 Flax has enjoyed renewed popularity as a result of its promotion as a nutritional agent sold in health food stores.

How It Works

Used internally, flax seed swells and forms a gel in the intestine. This gel softens stool and increases total stool volume. This improves bowel function and promotes bowel movement. The mucilage and gums in flax seed appear to soothe gastro-intestinal irritation. Additionally, consumption of flax seed delays the passage of food from the stomach. This may reduce feelings of hunger. Flax seed also helps to control the rise of blood sugar after a meal. 9

Contemporary Uses Approved by Authoritative Bodies

Germany’s Commission E and ESCOP

Internally for chronic constipation, colons damaged by chronic use of laxatives, irritable colon, diverticulitis, and as a mucilage for gastritis and enteritis
Externally as a plaster or compress for skin inflammation

Potential Risks

The following information is derived from Germany’s Commission E, ESCOP, and the AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook.

Safety issues and concerns

There are no known side effects for flax seed if sufficient amounts of liquid are consumed with the seed.
Children under 6 years of age should only use flax seed under medical supervision.
In cases of bowel inflammation, seeds should be pre-swollen with fluids prior to consumption.

Contraindications – based on conditions and medication intake, etc.

Obstruction of the intestines of any origin
Acute abdominal pain of any origin
Diabetics should be aware that consuming flax seed may delay glucose absorption.

Potentially harmful drug interactions

The mucilage content of flax seed may interfere with the absorption of drugs

Allergy precautions

None known

4,9,10,11

Usage Tips

According to Germany’s Commission E, the uses of flax are as follows:

For internal purposes, crack or coarse grind 1 tablespoon of flax seed, and consume with 150 ml (5 ounces) of water, 2 – 3 times daily.
For external purposes, either apply 30 – 50 grams of finely ground flax seed directly to inflamed tissue, or fold that amount into a hot, wet cloth and apply directly. 4,10

Product Choosing/Buying Tips

Choose certified organically grown flax seed if it is available.
Whole flax seed, rather than ground, will keep longer.
Bulk flax seed is less expensive than packaged flax.

Science Update

A review of flax authored by William Haggerty Ph.D and published in Winter 1999 HerbalGram Number 45, described numerous intriguing findings concerning additional possible therapeutic benefits of flax seed beyond its current approved uses. According to that review, additional benefits of flax are likely due to its high content of a-linolenic acid (ALA), gums and mucilage, and a lignan with the imponderable name of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). 12

According to Haggerty, studies show that flax seed may offer benefit for treating cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus, high cholesterol, malaria and rheumatoid arthritis. Some of these studies are also referenced in Herbal Medicine, The Expanded Commission E Monographs.

· In rats, a diet containing 5% flax seed flour produced a 67% reduction in mammary tumors.

· In rats a diet containing 5 – 10% flax seed flour produced a 50% reduction in colon cancer.

· In nine human lupus patients, an average of 30 grams of flax seed flour daily improved kidney function and reduced blood lipids, including LDL cholesterol.

· In healthy humans, daily intake of 50 grams of flax seed flour produced a 9% reduction in overall cholesterol, and an 18% decrease in LDL cholesterol.

These various studies indicate that flax seed may prove beneficial in the mitigation of some health disorders, and may possess significant protective properties. 4,12

In a pilot study of 26 prostate cancer patients, each was given 30 grams of flax per day for approximately 34 days. Various measurements were taken from the patients, and reductions in cholesterol and testosterone were observed. Compared to what are known as “matched controls,” patients who consumed flax seed had a lower rate of cancer cell proliferation, and a higher rate of cancer cell death. Though further studies are need, these encouraging finding suggest possible protective effects of flax seed oin cases of prostate cancer. 13

Trivia

The words line (as in a straight line), and lingerie both derive from Linum, the Latin word for flax, the source of linen.
19^th century European novelist Ehm Welk declared “Truly, flax oil lubricates our way into eternal life.”

References:

1. Bown, Deni. The Herb Society Of America Encyclopedia of Herbs & Their Uses. (1^st ed., (New York: Dorling Kindersley,1995).

2. Bruneton J. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. 2nd ed., (Paris: Lavoisier Publishing 1993).

3. Simpson, B., Ogorzaly, M., Economic Botany. 3^rd ed., (McGraw Hill New York 2001):

368

4. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J (eds). Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. 1^st ed., (Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications. 2000).

5. Erasmus, U. Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill. 2^nd ed., (Alive Books, BC Canada 1993):

279 – 287.

6.Wichtl M, Bisset NG (eds.). Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Trans from

2^nd German ed., (Stuttgart: Medpharm GmbH Scientific Publishers. 1994).

7. Yoganarasimhan, S.N., Medicinal Plants of India, Vol 1 – Karnataka. 1^st ed., Interline

Publishing, Bangalore, India 1996): 291

8. Christopher, J., School Of Natural Healing. 1^st ed., BiWorld publishers, provo, UT

1979): 183

9. European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy. ESCOP Monographs on the Medicinal Uses of Plant Drugs. 1^st ed., (Exeter, U.K.: ESCOP 1997): Facsicule 1

10. Blumenthal M, Busse W, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins CW, Rister RS (eds.). The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. S. Klein, R.S. Rister (trans.). 1st ed., (Austin, TX: American Botanical Council. 1998).

11. McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A (eds.). American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. 1^st ed., (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. 1997).

12. Haggerty W., “Flax: Ancient Herb and Modern Medicine,” HerbalGram 1999, 45:

51-56

13. Denmark-Wahnfried, W., Price, D., Palasavik, T., Roberson, C., Anderson, E.,

Paulson, D., Gannon, M., Vollmer, R. “Pilot study of dietary fat restriction in men with prostate cancer before surgery: Exploring the effects on hormone levels, prostate-specific antigen and histopathologic features.” Urology 2001;58: 47-52.