Flaxseed: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

The actions of flax seeds are: laxative, expectorant and decongestant. Flax tea is recommended for these disorders. If one cup of this tea is taken at night, the bowels will move easily in the morning. It will also aid the drainage of mucus through the feces.

This simple domestic herb also alleviates the problems of constipation, distention and discomfort in the abdominal region. Flax seeds are energizing and also help in relieving asthma and chronic cough.

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), known as Uma in Sanskrit, is a good tonic for Vata, particularly for the colon and the lungs. Its energetics are sweet and astringent with a heating virya and pungent vipaka, reducing Vata while potentially increasing Pitta and Kapha. Its actions include laxative, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, and nutritive tonic properties, working on plasma, blood, muscle, and bone tissues through the excretory and respiratory systems.

Flaxseeds strengthen lung tissue and promote the healing of lung membranes, making them excellent for chronic, degenerative lung disorders. They contain natural protein and calcium. As an expectorant and emollient, they combine well with honey; as a lung tonic they work well with licorice. They have similar properties to sesame seeds, particularly for strengthening the bones and the reproductive organs.

As a laxative, flaxseed differs from psyllium in being lighter and hotter, better for Vata generally speaking, but more likely to aggravate Pitta. Key indications include asthma, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, chronic constipation, diarrhea, and convalescence. It may not be strong enough for severe constipation and may feed congestion in the colon.