Flaxseed

Atasi/Alsi (Flaxseed/Linseed) is an important oilseed. The seeds are small, flat, and brown/golden. The plant produces blue flowers and is also grown for fiber (linen). Flaxseed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids (alpha-linolenic acid) and is one of the richest plant sources of this essential fatty acid. The seeds contain mucilage which is beneficial for constipation. Oil extracted is used both medicinally and industrially. The seed is hot in potency and pacifies Vata. It is used in skin diseases, constipation, and as a nutritive. The plant fiber is used for making linen cloth. Verses: 75-76.

• Vatahara (pacifies Vata)
• Shukrala (increases semen)
• Tvachya (beneficial for skin)

Uma-Kusumbha Taila – (linseed oil and safflower oil) :उमा कुसु भजं चो णं व दोषकफ प तकृत ् । Taila of Uma (linseed) and Kusumbha are hot in potency, produce diseases of the skin, aggravate Kapha and Pitta.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Drava Vigyaniya Drinkables

23 Seeds of uma (linseed) ि न धोमा शु वाद ु त तो णा कफ प तकर गु ः कटुः पाके, त वत ् बीजं कुसम ु भजम ् २४ Seeds of uma (linseed) is Snigdha unctuous, Madhura Tikta – sweet – bitter in taste, Ushna – hot in potency, increases kapha and pitta, hard to digest, not good for vision and semen, pungent at the end of digestion.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

In kapha dominant edema, application of paste of long pepper, sand, old oil-cake, bark of drum-stick and linseed is advised.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)

Linseed, guggulu (Commiphora mukul), latex of snuhi (Euphorbia neriifolia Linn.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)

If the wounds predominant in vata have burning sensation and pain, they should be pasted upon with linseed and sesamum seeds roasted, then dipped in milk and again pounded with the same milk.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)

Along with curd, Sauvirakta (fermented gruel), sesame, and herbs like Kulattha (horse gram), Masha (black gram), Godhuma (wheat), Atasi (flaxseed), Tila (sesame), and Sarshapa (mustard).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 2: Sveda Vidhi (Sudation Therapy)

Atasi (flaxseed) poultice with ghee serves as an anti-inflammatory wound dressing.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 1: Diseases of the Liver (Yakrit Roga Adhikara)

(Apply) a paste of Atasi seeds (Linum usitatissimum, flaxseed/linseed) with heated ghee.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 24: Uterine/Placental Diseases (Jarayu Roga)

Sitz bath (lower body hot water immersion) and flaxseed-ghee paste application -- flaxseed is anti-inflammatory and soothing for pelvic conditions.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 24: Uterine/Placental Diseases (Jarayu Roga)

Atasi (flaxseed) poultice with ghee serves as an anti-inflammatory wound dressing.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 1: Diseases of the Liver (Yakrit Roga Adhikara)

Processing agents include barley, kirava, linseed, and digestive substances (verse 12).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 36: Bhumipravibhagiya Adhyaya - On Classification of Land for Medicinal Plants

The fruits of shana (hemp), mulaka (radish), and shigru (drumstick), along with sesame and mustard seeds, barley meal, kirava, and linseed — these are ripening (pachana) agents (verse 9).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter

Various other oils — from nimbaka (neem), atasi (linseed), kushumbha (safflower), sarshapa (mustard), karanja, and others — have specific therapeutic actions.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances

Atasi (linseed) — sweet, hot, unctuous.

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 46: Annapana-vidhi Adhyaya - On Food and Drink

Processing agents include barley, kirava, linseed, and digestive substances (verse 12).

— Sushruta Samhita, Bhumipravibhagiya Adhyaya - On Classification of Land for Medicinal Plants