BT-064 · Linaceae

Flaxseed

Linum usitatissimum

Evidence: ClinicalGenerally safe

Flax is one of humanity’s oldest textile fibres; linen fragments from the Neolithic have been found in Anatolia.

Other names: Linseed, linaza, keten (Turkish)
Part used: Seeds, fibre
Region: Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Andes
Use: Food, Healing

Photo: H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Flaxseed?

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is a plant of the Linaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Andes. Part used: seeds, fibre.

What is Flaxseed used for?

Traditional use: Seeds are soaked in water for constipation; a seed poultice used to go on boils. Scientific evidence: clinical. Rich in fibre, mucilage and alpha-linolenic acid.

Is Flaxseed safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Taken with too little water it can block the bowel. Raw seeds contain small amounts of cyanide-forming compounds; eat in moderation.

Traditional use

Anatolia

Seeds are soaked in water for constipation; a seed poultice used to go on boils. Linen is woven from its fibre.

Andes

In Peru, linaza water is drunk for the stomach and constipation; it is sold on the street as a morning drink.

In nature

Where it grows: A crop plant, sown in Thrace and Central Anatolia.
Harvest season: Seeds are harvested July–August.
Local names: keten, keten tohumu, zeyrek

Mix-up risk

Brown and golden seed varieties are sold; their content is similar.

Preparation

Seeds are ground into food or soaked in water; take with plenty of water.

What science says

Rich in fibre, mucilage and alpha-linolenic acid. The EMA recognises flaxseed for constipation as a well-established use. Some studies show slight drops in cholesterol and blood pressure.

How strong is the evidence?

Claims often repeated online about Flaxseed, and what science says today.

Claim	Evidence	Note
Relieves constipation	Clinical evidence	Recognised by the EMA as a well-established use.
Lowers cholesterol	Limited evidence	Slight drop with ground seed in some studies.
Lowers blood pressure	Limited evidence	Slight effect in some studies.
Relieves menopause symptoms	No evidence	Studies found no benefit.

Common mistakes

Eating whole seeds: most pass through undigested. Prefer ground seed.
Taking it with little water: risk of bowel blockage. At least a large glass of water per spoonful.
Taking it at the same time as medicines: it delays absorption; leave 1–2 hours.