Linseed or Flax - Linum usitatissimum

Abstract: Flax is one of the oldest cultivated plants which is grown world-wide in many varieties and forms for its fibre, fatty oil as well as its seeds for use in the pharmacological industry. Due to its mucilage and roughage, linseed (whole and crushed) is mildly active bulkforming laxative in case of habitual constipation, functional disorders of colon resulting from misuse of laxatives and irritable colon. In the form of demulcent preparations, it is used in the supportive treatment of inflammatory gastrointestinal complaints. In dietetics, the seeds are employed for their prophylactic regulative effect on the bowel movement. lt is said that linseed has protective, anticancerogenic properties. Its lignan secoisolariciresinal has aroused a special interest in the field of chemoprevention of cancer. Toxic effects, arising from its cyanogenic glycosides need not be feared even in cases of high doses and prolonged use.

Keyword(s): Linseed

Zurück | Weiter