All About Flaxseed
Flaxseeds offer a valuable plant source of omega-3 fatty acids. Human studies have linked eating flaxseed supplements with reduced blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Fun Fact
Around the year 800, Roman Emperor King Charlemagne passed a law that demanded his people to eat flaxseed. He did this due to his strong belief in the plant's health benefits!
Flaxseed Research
Flaxseeds and omega-3 supplements derived from the plant have shown in human studies to be hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing. The plant has also shown in human studies to reduce lupus, menopausal, and osteoporosis symptoms It may also have an anti-cancer, antioxidant effect, and aid in cardiac health by reducing placque in blood vessels. Click the button below for a detailed review of research.
Flaxseed and Supplements
Latin Name: Linum usitatissimum
Family: Linaceae
Other Names
- Other common names: Alasi, aliviraaii, echter lein, flachs, flachsamen, linseed, mountain flax, purging flax, fairy flax, dwarf flax, flax lignans, kattan
- Other Latin names: Linum crepitans, Linum humile
- Similar species: Phormium tenax
Plant Description
his is a weed growing to five inches high with small oblong leaves, small white flowers with five petals, and brown capsuled seeds.
Herb Description
The seeds and seed oil are used. The soluble fiber is mainly in the seed coat. It is best to crush seeds at the time of use and keep in the refrigerator. The taste is bitter. The adult dose is 1 Tbsp of crushed seeds taken with liquid up to 3 times a day.
Key Constituents
- Phytoestrogens: lignans: secoisolarciresinol and matairesinol
- Fiber
- Oil: 55% alpha-linolenic acid, an omega 3 fatty acid (other triglyceride: oleic acid)
- Mucilages (in seed)
- Other: galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, zylose, galacturnoic acid, mannuronic acid, fucose, glucoronic acid, sterols
