Flaxseed

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: Linum usitatissimum, flax, flaxseed, linseed, lint bells, linum, winterlien, linoleic acid, linseed oil

What is flaxseed?

Flax is a slender plant that grows 1 to 3 feet tall. It branches at the top and has small, pale green leaves. The fruit is a long pod. Ripe seeds are removed from the fruit and dried for medicinal use. Flaxseed oil is made from the seeds.

What is it used for?

Flaxseed has been used to:

• Lower cholesterol levels.
• Treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn, and boils.
• Improve kidney function in people with lupus.
• Reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.
• Treat stomach upset, diverticulosis, and irritable bowel.
• Treat constipation.
• Relieve hot flashes.
• Treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Treat swelling.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Flaxseed may be taken by mouth as the raw seed or ground into a powder or flour. Drink plenty of water if you take flaxseed to prevent constipation. Flaxseed oil may be taken as a liquid or capsule. Check the label on the package for the specific dose.

Ground flaxseed meal may be used to prepare hot poultices for pimples, boils, and carbuncles.

Taking flaxseed at the same time as other medicines might keep medicines from being absorbed. Take medicines by mouth at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after flaxseed.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take flaxseed if you have:

• a bleeding disorder
• bowel obstruction or inflammation in your intestines
• trouble swallowing

Talk with your healthcare provider before taking this remedy if you have cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries or if you have fibroids or endometriosis. Also talk with your provider before taking this remedy if you have high triglyceride levels.

Diabetics: This remedy may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

Females of childbearing age: If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, do not take large doses of this remedy without your healthcare provider's approval. You may take it in amounts found in food.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than recommended. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• You should not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized and may have different strengths and effects. They may be contaminated.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its desirable effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, bloating, gas, constipation, minor rash.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• medicine that reduces the chance of blood clots forming such as aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), and warfarin (Coumadin)
• diabetes medicines such as insulin, glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase), glipizide (Glucotrol), repaglinide (Prandin), metformin (Glucophage), rosiglitazone (Avandia), and pioglitazone (Actos)
• herbs such as angelica, anise, arnica, asafoetida, capsicum, celery, chamomile, clove, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, horse chestnut, horseradish, licorice, onion, papain, passionflower, red clover, turmeric, and willow
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), ketoprofen, nabumetone (Relafen), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), piroxicam (Feldene), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), and oxaprozin (Daypro)
• other remedies with laxative effects such as senna or psyllium

Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

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Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.

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