Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Flaxseed
Linum usitatissimum
This monograph compiles 3 pharmacological actions, 7 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 17 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →inferred from digestive action
more plants for bloating →detailed sources →inferred from digestive action
more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Flaxseeds are safe for most people at recommended food amounts (1–2 tablespoons ground/day). They must be ground or milled to be bioavailable — whole seeds largely pass through the gut undigested. High fibre content may cause bloating, flatulence, and loose stools, especially if fibre intake is increased rapidly without adequate hydration. Flaxseeds contain cyanogenic glycosides (linamarin, linustatin); cooking or roasting reduces these to negligible levels in normal food amounts. Raw seeds in very large quantities are a theoretical concern, but typical use is safe (EFSA, 2017).
Medication interactions: Flaxseed may reduce absorption of oral medications if taken simultaneously — space flaxseed supplementation 1–2 hours from medications. Omega-3 ALA and lignans may mildly enhance anticoagulant/antiplatelet effects; use caution with blood thinners. Some sources suggest caution with hormone-sensitive conditions due to phytoestrogen (lignan) content, though dietary amounts are unlikely to pose risk (Adolphe et al., 2010).
Pregnancy: Food amounts are generally considered safe; high-dose supplements should be discussed with a clinician due to limited safety data.
Duke (2002) rates flaxseed as +++ with clinical evidence (score 2) for antiatherogenic, hypocholesterolemic, laxative, lipolytic (fat-dissolving), and demulcent activities. Flaxseed's omega-3 fatty acids (ALA) and lignans are associated with reduced cardiovascular risk. Commission E approves flaxseed as a laxative and for mucilaginous protection of inflamed gastrointestinal mucosa. Dose: 1–2 tablespoons ground seed with ample water, twice daily. Whole seeds should be chewed or ground for full medicinal effect. Cyanogenic glycosides are present but at safe levels in normal dietary amounts (Duke, 2002).
References
REF-2216, REF-2217, REF-2218, REF-2219, REF-2220, REF-2221, REF-2222, REF-2223, REF-2224, REF-2225References & Sources
- Picur, B., Cebrat, M., Zabrocki, J. and Siemion, I.Z (2006) 'Cyclopeptides of Linum usitatissimum', Journal of Peptide Science, 12(9), pp. 569-574. doi:10.1002/psc.779 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/psc.779 - Basch, E., Bent, S., Collins, J., Dacey, C., Hammerness, P., Harrison, M., Smith, M., Szapary, P., Ulbricht, C., Vora, M. and Weissner, W (2007) 'Flax and flaxseed oil (Linum usitatissimum): a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration', Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology, 5(3), pp. 92-105. doi:10.2310/7200.2007.005 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2310/7200.2007.005 - Chhillar, H., Chopra, P. and Ashfaq, M.A (2020) 'Lignans from linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and its allied species: retrospect, introspect and prospect', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 61(16), pp. 2719-2741. doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1784840 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2020.1784840 - Ansari, R., Zarshenas, M.M. and Dadbakhsh, A.H (2019) 'A review on pharmacological and clinical aspects of Linum usitatissimum L', Current Drug Discovery Technologies, 16(2), pp. 148-158. doi:10.2174/1570163815666180521101136 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1570163815666180521101136 - Akter, Y., Junaid, M., Afrose, S.S., Nahrin, A., Alam, M.S., Sharmin, T., Akter, R. and Hosen, S.M.Z (2021) 'A comprehensive review on Linum usitatissimum medicinal plant: its phytochemistry, pharmacology, and ethnomedicinal uses', Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry, 21(18), pp. 2801-2834. doi:10.2174/1389557521666210203153436 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.2174/1389557521666210203153436 - Musazadeh, V., Abolghasemian, M., Kavyani, Z., Moridpour, A.H., Nazari, A. and Faghfouri, A.H (2024) 'The effects of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) supplementation on anthropometric indices: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 84, pp. 103066. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103066 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2024.103066 - Mueed, A., Shibli, S., Jahangir, M., Jabbar, S. and Deng, Z (2022) 'A comprehensive review of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.): health-affecting compounds, mechanism of toxicity, detoxification, anticancer and potential risk', Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 63(32), pp. 11081-11104. doi:10.1080/10408398.2022.2092718 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2022.2092718 - Kaithwas, G., Mukherjee, A., Chaurasia, A.K. and Majumdar, D.K (2011) 'Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed/linseed) fixed oil', Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 49(12), pp. 932-938. Preclinical
Find this source - Rafieian-Kopaei, M., Shakiba, A., Sedighi, M. and Bahmani, M (2017) 'The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Linum usitatissimum in Balb/c mice', Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), pp. 892-896. doi:10.1177/2156587217717416 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217717416 - Sirotkin, A.V (2023) 'Influence of flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on female reproduction', Planta Medica, 89(6), pp. 608-615. doi:10.1055/a-2013-2966 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2013-2966 - Adolphe, J.L., Whiting, S.J., Juurlink, B.H.J., Thorpe, L.U. and Alcorn, J (2010) 'Health effects with consumption of the flax lignan secoisolariciresinol diglucoside', 103(7), pp. 929--938. doi:10.1017/S0007114509992753 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114509992753 - European Food Safety Authority (2017) 'Safety of cyanogenic glycosides from flaxseed consumed as part of a usual diet', 15(11). doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5026 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2017.5026 - Harris, W.S (2012) 'Stearidonic acid as a surrogate for eicosapentaenoic acid in cardiovascular risk reduction: update and recommendation', 70(10), pp. 565--574. Traditional / reference
Find this source - Latvijas valsts mežzinātnes institūts (n.d.) 'Linsēkla Latvijā'. Available at: https://www.silava.lv Traditional / reference
https://www.silava.lv - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Linum usitatissimum L'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:381313-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:381313-1 - Caligiuri, S.P.B., Edel, A.L., Aliani, M. and Pierce, G.N (2014) 'Flaxseed for hypertension: implications for improved cardiovascular risk', 16(12), pp. 499. doi:10.1007/s11906-014-0499-8 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11906-014-0499-8 - Pan, A., Sun, J., Chen, Y. et al (2009) 'Effects of a flaxseed-derived lignan supplement in type 2 diabetic patients: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial', 4(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0007654 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0007654
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