Common linseed: therapeutic properties and contraindications

Common linseed is a plant also known under the names lion's witches, wild flax, slipperwort and gillweed. In official medicine, it has not found its application, but due to the strong therapeutic effect is widely used in folk medicine. Nevertheless, in some countries even doctors themselves when prescribing treatment recommend their patients to use flaxseed. For example, German doctors recommend using this herb for hepatitis, constipation, and bladder problems. Korean experts advise to achieve complete tranquility with the help of flaxseed oilseed, that is, they consider it an excellent sedative. And Mongolian doctors advise using it for animal bites.

Scientists from St. Petersburg conducted a very curious study in 2010, which showed that flaxseed is embedded in the DNA of bacteria. This means that there is a possibility of transferring special genes between higher plants and bacteria. This does not make flaxseed special, as many transgenic plants are already known, but it puts it on a par with tobacco and yams.

It is impossible to ascertain precisely when the medicinal properties of linseed became known, but it has been used for a very long time. Ancient herbalists used it for eye inflammation and tearfulness, for early healing of skin wounds and bloody diarrhea. There was even a belief that if you enjoy a drink of linseed, watching the starry sky, then during the next year a person will not be afraid of snake bites.

Chemical Composition

1. Flaxseed is very rich in vitamins and microelements vital to the body, its composition is chemically diverse. It is based on alkaloids and glycosides.
2. The herb is very rich in organic acids, phytosterols, various tannins, plant steroids. It is quite rich in carotene, pectin, vitamins C and B9.
3. The seeds of common flaxseed contains up to 35% fatty vegetable oil. Paraffins and hydrocyanic acid are released during hydrolysis.
4. Additionally, the composition of this medicinal plant contains resins, mucus, minerals, triacanthin and saponins.

What it looks like and where it grows

Common flaxseed is a perennial herbaceous plant, which can reach a height of about 90 cm. This herb belongs to the familiar Plantain family. The stems are branched, densely covered with leaves, there are long shoots. The root is arrow-shaped and can grow up to 1 m long, sometimes there is a branched root system. The flowers are irregularly shaped, gathered in elongated inflorescences, colored yellow. The fruit is an oval-shaped box with a huge number of seeds, up to 32,000.

Flaxberry blooms throughout the summer and into September, its fruit beginning to ripen in August. It requires pollination by bees or bumblebees. For some insects flaxseed is an insecticide and is very toxic to horses.

Total known more than 100 species of linseed, 18 of which are included in the lists of rare plants. The most popular species are the common linseed (which is the subject of this article), the so-called Moroccan and a plant with a complicated name - cymbals, as well as the chalky, bipartite. Less well-known are purple, alpine, dalmatian.

Common linseed grows in Russia almost everywhere: in forests, fields, roadsides, embankments, edges, meadows, etc. Since the seeds are spread by the wind, this plant can be classified as an introduced and weedy plant. Because of this, linseed is often found as a common weed among the crops for livestock feed.

It is also found in temperate climates in Asia. It likes good light and soil that dries out well after watering.

Some species of linseed grass look attractive enough to be planted in flowerbeds as an ornamental plant.

Gathering and storage

Common linseed refers to conditionally poisonous plants, so it is obligatory to collect it with gloves, and afterwards you need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap.

To harvest useful raw materials, the herb is used without flowers and only during the flowering period. It is best to collect the plant in dry and sunny weather, because that way it dries faster and is better preserved for a long time.

When cutting flaxseed, you need to step back 10 cm from the ground, leaving a "stump" with the root. Cutting and crushing the stem is undesirable, it dries in its original form. It is worth considering that the plant begins to smell very unpleasant and pungent when collected, and when dried, this smell is even stronger.

The stems should be spread in a thin layer on a newspaper in a normally ventilated room or outside in the shade. If the air is dry and warm enough, the process of harvesting the raw material will not take more than 2-3 weeks.

Already dried herbs stored only in a dry place, put in cardboard boxes, cloth or paper bags - it is important that the raw material will "breathe". Do not store with other medicinal herbs, because linseed is poisonous. If everything is done correctly, dried flaxseed can be stored for a year.

Medicinal properties of linseed

In folk medicine, linseed is very widespread due to its many beneficial properties: it is both expectorant, and analgesic, and antipyretic, and diuretic, and choleretic, and diaphoretic. Sometimes it is used in the fight against parasites.

The sphere of application of common flaxseed:

• Bronchitis, sore throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia;
• anemia, blood diseases;
• hepatitis;
• pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis;
• scabies, psoriasis, diathesis;
• Purulent wounds and ulcers on the skin, boils;
• Gastritis, ulcers, constipation, flatulence, poisoning;
• parasites (worms);
• hemorrhoids;
• problems with pressure: hypotension, hypertension;
• Hormone disorders, menstrual disorders;
• conjunctivitis;
• ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS;
• fungi;
• Meniere's syndrome (disease of the inner ear);
• weakened immunity;
• enuresis;
• nervous stress.

Such a wide range of applications is explained by the very rich chemical composition of flaxseed. The substance peganin is able to reduce blood pressure, improve uterine and intestinal tone. Organic acids have antiseptic and antioxidant properties, alkaline and improve metabolism. Glycosides have an antimicrobial effect and reduce capillary permeability, increase the elasticity of red blood cells.

Flaxberry improves metabolism in the body, has expectorant properties, facilitating phlegm extraction. It is also able to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract from toxins, which is necessary for poisoning, and also removes stones and sand from the kidneys and bladder.

Flaxberry perfectly heals inflammation, strengthens the body as a whole. Grass favorably affects hormones (meaning sex hormones), which leads to the normalization of menstrual cycle in women and potency in men. It relieves pain, relieves discomfort in patients with hernias. Folk healers use flaxberry in the treatment of myopathy, a hereditary disease associated with muscle weakness. There are cases where it was effective in the complex treatment of limb paralysis.

Any inflammation of the throat, eyes, mucous membranes are relieved with linseed as it is a strong antiseptic. External use helps to get rid of septic wounds, boils, cuts, burns, rashes, acne and other skin lesions.

If you sprinkle with decoction of flaxseed in vulvovaginitis, the inflammatory process in the female genital organs will pass much faster. And with hemorrhoids you can use several methods at once: tampons with linseed ointment, baths with decoction and compresses.

This is not a complete list of diseases in which common flaxseed has proven effective. This includes gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, worms, enuresis and many others.

Common flaxseed in folk medicine

If you have an eye disease.

Take 20 grams each of common linseed, elderberry and cornflower and pour 2 cups of hot water. Insist 8 hours, then strain. Use this infusion regularly to wash the eyes or make compresses at least 5 times a day until symptoms completely disappear.

For hypotension (low blood pressure)

Mix 1 tsp. each of Corn Stover, Flaxseed and Immortelle. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over the mixture, infuse for 2 hours, then squeeze and strain. Drink this infusion of 1 tsp. spoonful each day before each meal.

With inflammation of the throat (sore throat, with acute respiratory infections).

In this case, one flaxseed without auxiliary herbs will do. Need 1 tbsp. herb pour 400 ml of boiling water, cover and insist 1 hour. Strain the infusion rinse a sore throat every hour until recovery.

In diseases of the liver and kidneys.

Take the same composition of herbs as for low blood pressure: corn stigmas, flaxseed and immortelle in equal parts. The total mixture of dry herbs should be 1.5 tsp. Pour a glass of hot water and insist under a lid for 1 hour. Strain, cool and drink 1 tbsp. a spoonful before each meal. The course of treatment - no more than 2 weeks.

Compresses for purulent wounds and skin ulcers

Flaxseed is very good at removing inflammation and relieves pain, so it is widely used not only in diseases of internal organs and systems, but also in injuries of the skin. 6 tbsp. spoons of dried raw materials, pour 1 cup boiling water, strain after 2 hours. This infusion to wash wounds or make compresses damaged areas until healing.

In Meniere's disease (syndrome).

In this disease, it is recommended to take an infusion of flaxberry orally by 125 ml 2 times a day before meals. The infusion should be room or warm temperature. 1 tbsp. dried herb pour 1 cup hot water and insist for 10 minutes.

With toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums, foul breath take 1 cup boiling water and 1 tbsp. dried flaxseed. Boil for 10 minutes, cool, strain and rinse your mouth with the decoction after each meal and brushing your teeth.

For flatulence, bloating and colic

Pour 1 tsp. in a mug of hot water and boil over medium heat for 10 minutes. Then cool the solution standard and strain. Drink this decoction 4 times a day with 1 tbsp.

Hemorrhoids

Take 1 tbsp. dried grass flaxseed common, water pepper and oak bark. These herbs grind into a fine powder (dust) and mix with 3 tablespoons of petroleum jelly or pork fat. This ointment to soak a swab and insert it rectally.

When constipation

Glass of dried flaxseed pour a glass of vodka and insist just a few hours, after which the tincture is ready for use. Drink 1 tbsp. spoon before bedtime.

With malignant tumors

Common linseed is often used in conjunction with the official complex treatment for cancer. You need 1 dessert spoon herb pour 250 ml of hot water and hold over steam for 15 minutes. Then remove from the water bath and infuse for another 45 minutes. Strain. Drink 1 tbsp. spoon half an hour before a meal three times a day.

In cases where the tumor is outside, you can use the same herbal solution for lotions and compresses.

With skin inflammation (swelling, redness, edema)

Boil 4 tablespoons of dried flaxseed in 500 ml of milk. The mixture will be the consistency of a pulp. Once it boils, remove from the fire and cool to lukewarm. Then this mass should be wrapped in gauze or cotton cloth, a thick paper napkin in several layers and put on the damaged area.

In case of dystrophy.

Take the herb with vodka in the proportion of 10:2. Insist for 3 weeks, shaking regularly. Then squeeze the herb and strain the tincture. Take 40 drops of the tincture before eating three times a day with plenty of clean drinking water.

Advice from specialists

Dermatologists give their recommendations for the treatment of affected skin with linseed. You need to take the herb and 70% medical alcohol in proportions of 2 to 1 and insist this mixture a day in a dark place. Then add 10 parts of hog fat (or unsalted lard, or petroleum jelly), put it on a water bath and keep it there until the alcohol evaporates. Then stir the resulting ointment until homogeneous, cool, squeeze and apply to the damaged areas of the skin.

Do not forget that although common linseed is not included in the list of official medicines, its effects are very strong and you should consider all the contraindications and side effects. Before its use in any form, it is worth to consult a doctor who will adequately assess the condition of the body, the interaction with the taken medications and the appropriateness of using this medicinal herb.

Flaxseed oilseed application in cosmetology

Common linseed is not only able to help overcome the body's ailments, but also to put in order the appearance, to solve problems with hair and skin.

For hair

Flaxseed eliminates hair loss and dandruff, strengthens the roots and gives luster to the curls, removes itching and gives a feeling of comfort to the head. For this purpose, use a decoction in the ratio of 1 tbsp. grass on 400 ml of hot water. Boil for 10 minutes, cover with a lid and a towel, leave so for 2 hours, strain and use to rinse after each wash.

You can rub into the scalp with light massaging movements of the flax ointment. This will strengthen the bulbs of hair, improve blood circulation and accelerate their growth.

For the skin

To combat skin imperfections are suitable standard recipes for tincture, decoction and ointment with flaxseed. A cotton pad dipped in an alcoholic herbal tincture should be wiped over the face twice a day. Decoction can be washed in the morning and before going to bed, and the ointment to smear the most affected areas of the skin. Such simple procedures will help get rid of inflammation.

Domestic applications

Common linseed has found its application not only in folk medicine, but also in the home and household.

The fresh herb is an effective insecticide, so it is often used to control harmful insects, for example, in horses. But it is worth remembering that the plant is poisonous and extremely dangerous for these animals, so such procedures should be carried out with the utmost caution.

Flaxseed flowers contain a lot of yellow pigment, which is called anthochlorine. It can be used to dye anything. But because of the toxicity of the plant to work only with gloves.

Types of medicinal compositions

For treatment at home, common flaxseed is used in different forms, depending on what ailment is to be fought. From this herb, you can prepare a tincture, tincture, ointment, oil, decoction, herbal infusion, juice, tea, baths.

Tincture .

Take 500 ml of vodka or alcohol diluted to the desired concentration for 50 g of dried flaxseed. Insist the mixture for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.

Infusion .

Infusion for internal use is prepared as follows: 1 tsp. herb pour a glass of boiling water and insist about 40 minutes. For external use, take 90 grams of grass and 300 ml of hot water, then insist at least 2 hours.

Decoction

15 g of flaxberry pour 300 ml of warm water and put on a low heat. Boil the herbal mixture for about 10 minutes, then cool and strain through gauze or cotton cloth.

It is worth noting that the decoction is pleasant enough to taste, so it is easy to drink even children.

Flaxseed decoction can also be prepared with milk. This method is often used for further external use. Pour 300 ml of milk in a bowl and put on a small fire, add 5 tbsp. spoons of dry grass. All of this boil on low heat until the mass thickens.

Ointment

2 Tbsp. spoons of grass grind into a fine powder (powder) and mix with 5 tbsp. spoons of lard or pharmaceutical Vaseline. This mixture is heated in a water bath until the fat is dissolved and mixed to a homogeneous consistency. You can use immediately after cooling. Store the ointment in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

Oil .

You need to grind the herb and mix it with vegetable oil in a ratio of 1 to 3. It is better to take olive oil, but you can also use more familiar sunflower oil. Then you must warm the oil mixture in a water bath for half an hour, cover with a lid and wrap it in a thick terry towel. In this wrapped form the oil is stored for 24 hours. Repeat the heating and cooling again in exactly the same way. Strain through several layers of gauze or thick paper towels.

Store the finished oil in a cool and dark place, and before each use shake.

Steam .

Take 1 tablespoon of crushed dried flaxseed, pour 1 cup boiling water, and then steamed in a water bath over steam for 15 minutes. Then let the steam cool and infuse for another 45 minutes.

Juice

Used in folk medicine, not only dried herbs, but also fresh, or more precisely - its juice. To obtain it, you need to take the tops of the plant, but no more than 15 cm. They are also cut during the flowering of the plant. Grind the herb with a blender, then squeeze the juice from this mushy mass. You can take it in pure form by 1 tbsp. a spoonful before going to bed. And for external use, you need to dilute it with water or milk in the ratio of 20 ml of juice and 500 ml of liquid.

Tea

You can prepare a preventive useful phyto tea with flaxberry in the composition. Such a drink is very pleasant to taste and will please both adults and children.

You need to take 1 tsp. flaxseed, 1 pinch of melissa, 1 pinch of sage and 1 tsp. honey. The mixture of these components to brew in a kettle, and then dilute with water to taste.

Baths .

You can take healing baths with flaxseed or make baths, for example, for hemorrhoids. To do this, you need to take 75 g of flaxseed, one large plantain leaf and 50 g of red clover. All these herbs pour 5 liters of water and bring to a boil. Then cool and strain this broth. Pour the resulting decoction in a bathtub filled to a third. Water temperature should be no more than 38 degrees. Take such a bath can be no longer than half an hour.

In each case, you need to pay attention to the special instructions in the recipe, because some of them require different proportions of ingredients. For example, in the tincture, you can take less or more herbs to change the saturation of the composition. With the infusion and decoction is similar. In the oil, you can add a small piece of red hot pepper, if it will be used for massage, etc.

Contraindications to use

In no case can not do self-medication, receiving flaxseed in any form should be accompanied by a consultation with a physician! And you should clearly understand for yourself that if the doctor and allows or recommends to take flaxseed, it's only as a supplement to the main treatment, and not instead of it. It is necessary to understand that like any medicine, whether official or folk, this also has a number of contraindications.

1. Allergies. Of course, if after the first intake of flaxseed appeared any manifestations of allergic reactions in the form of rash, swelling, lacrimation, etc., then the use of the herb should be immediately discontinued.
2. Pregnant women flaxseed is strictly prohibited for use! It can lead to a premature termination of pregnancy.
3. Also mothers who breastfeed their babies with their milk should refrain from flaxseed.
4. Children under 3 years of age should also be protected from using flaxseed.
5. Do not use this herb and people with severe forms of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
6. Flaxseed helps to fight diseases and disorders of the liver and kidneys, but not when it comes to severe forms of disease such as cirrhosis or renal failure. In such cases, flaxseed oilseed should be refrained from.

Side effects

Like any medicine, linseed can have side effects, especially since it is a poisonous plant. If you deviate from the proportions in the preparation of the infusion, decoction or exceed the dosage, complications do not last long. The most common side effects from the use of flaxseed is vomiting, dizziness and heart failure in the most severe cases.

If you exceed the dosage of flaxseed, the dizziness can reach the point of fainting. Often there is a sharp pain in the abdomen, which can mislead the doctor during the examination and become the cause of making an incorrect diagnosis. Stool disorders (diarrhea) and intestinal cramps may occur. There may be abnormal rhythm of cardiac activity such as tachycardia or extrasystole.

If there is an overdose of flaxseed products, you should tell your doctor first when seeking medical help. This will help him immediately make the right diagnosis and prescribe an effective and correct treatment.

Additionally

1. Outdoor use has no restrictions.
2. The herb is toxic for calves and cows, but not as much as for horses, and rarely causes serious poisoning in them. Symptoms of animal poisoning: increased salivation, diarrhea, foaming from the mouth, convulsions, weakness.
3. Do not prepare various solutions, ointments, herbal teas in metal containers. You must use only enamel or glassware, as it is possible undesirable and adverse to health reaction with metal.
4. Do not collect herbs for medicinal purposes along highways and railroad tracks, near industrial plants, especially chemical ones. Plants in such areas absorb all the exhaust and emissions with toxic substances. Flaxseed tends to accumulate in itself a large number of salts of heavy metals. For grass to contain only useful components, you need to collect it in the meadows, in the woods away from industry and civilization in general.

Photo of common linseed