Linseed Remedies

Collected Remedies: A Remedy for Anxiety  l A Traditional "Cure" for Constipation l Traditional Cough Medicine; Liquorice and Linssed l  Remedy for Cough(Persistent) Chronic Catarrh or Lung Congestion  A Remedy for Gout  l  Traditional Poultices l  Removing Forein Objects from Eye  l  Shaving Gel 

Round the World Linseed is used as traditional home remedy and in natural medicine in different ways to relieve many conditions.

Denmark: with honey for cough, as mucilage for stomach and abdominal pain;

Lithuania: as a decoction for cough, dyspepsia and urinary retention;
Poland: as a cataplasma;
Austria: as a poultice for colds;
Hungary: for cough and nausea.
In Pakistan as per Unani-medicine practice (78) linseed is used on all kinds of local inflammations, sores and ulcers. Mucilage of linseed is applied to the affected areas to resolve or to suppurate in case of hard swellings; pain is relieved along with subsiding the affected inflamed areas. Linseed helps suppuration and bursts the blind ulcers and assists in driving off the putrid matter. Internal inflammations, for example in pleurisy, pneumonia, inflammation in bronchioles, peritonitis as well as inflammatory swellings in rheumatism are treated successfully if the prepared paste or ointment with linseed as a major component is applied under bandage and in combination with other herbal substances to increase warmness. With Glycyrrhiza glabra L. infusion of the seeds is a useful demulcent expectorant in colds, cough, urinary irritations, gonorrhoea, spermatorrhoea, diarrhoea etc. Oral administration of linseed is generally considered to be antispasmodic. Seeds mucilage is also an effective treatment of eye irritation as eye drops.
A Chinese materia medica (79) indicates the use in cases of constipation, dryness and itching of the skin, withering and loss of hair.

 Linseed/Flaxseed poultices are useful for areas of inflammation such as bruises, strains, cysts, bursitis, boils, ulcers, and skin conditions.

Linseed as a Remedy for Constipation. 

Constipation can affect people of any age if their diet is short of the fibre that supports healthy gut flora, they become inactive or have their digestive system disrupted by illness or medical treatment .  As a traditional treatment, either variety of whole Linseed is effectively gentle, bulk forming, and naturally lubricating. It is equally useful for young and old alike. Simply place two tablespoons of bronze or gold linseed in a glass of warm water, allow it to swell for a few minutes and then drink – do this once or twice a day. Alternatively add to food and drink an extra glass of water.  If the constipation is a chronic problem or the patient is elderly or there is  a possibility of diverticulitis regular use of  ground linseed is a better option. If the problem persists consult a doctor

 "Flax Oil Cures Anxiety" from the EarthClinic website.

In a cutting from an unidentified newspaper passed to me by a Flax enthusiast: Sharon from the US reports that having increased her daily dose of linseed(flaxseed) oil that contained ground linseed particles her anxiety and adrenaline levels reduced. Although she knew it helped bi-polar disorders she was surprised to find it worked on anxiety also.  After taking a break from linseed oil her symptoms of anxiety returned.  Many others report similar calming effects.  When the mood shift is hormonally based it is worth increasing the level of ground linseed (flaxseed0 in the diet.  

"Something In the Eye"

(Taken from European Medicines Agency, Evaluation of Medicines for Human Use)
Madaus 1938 (73) indicates that linseed is also used to remove a foreign substance from the eye. This is approved by Lewis, professor of biology of the Washington university, 1977 (74). Linseeds were used in domestic medicine to remove foreign material from the eye, a seed is moistened and placed under the eyelid, the eye is closed for a few moments, and the material in the eye sticks to the seed and can be removed with it.Madaus 1938 (73) indicates that linseed is also used to remove a foreign substance from the eye. This is approved by Lewis, professor of biology of the Washington university, 1977 (74). Linseeds were used in domestic medicine to remove foreign material from the eye, a seed is moistened and placed under the eyelid, the eye is closed for a few moments, and the material in the eye sticks to the seed and can be removed with it.Madaus 1938 (73) indicates that linseed is also used to remove a foreign substance from the eye. This is approved by Lewis, professor of biology of the Washington university, 1977 (74). Linseeds were used in domestic medicine to remove foreign material from the eye, a seed is moistened and placed under the eyelid, the eye is closed for a few moments, and the material in the eye sticks to the seed and can be removed with it.Madaus 1938 (73) indicates that linseed is also used to remove a foreign substance from the eye. This is approved by Lewis, professor of biology of the Washington university, 1977 (74). Linseeds were used in domestic medicine to remove foreign material from the eye, a seed is moistened and placed under the eyelid, the eye is closed for a few moments, and the material in the eye sticks to the seed and can be removed with it.

A Natural Shaving Gel

Not really a remedy but a brilliant use for linseed.  Boil 100g lin 1 litre of water for about 30 minutes. Strain of the thick gel.   Use for shaving in usual way.  Nothing could be purer.  Store in the fridge for up to one week.

A Remedy for a Persistent Cough, Chronic Catarrh or Lung Congestion

Whole Linseeds 1 tablespoon boiled in one pint of water to make a mucilaginous liquid, strain, dilute with boiling water until still noticeably thick but thin enough to drink; take a cupful full three times a day until better.

Gout

Take three teaspoons cold-pressed linseed oil per day.  Try it on porridge or muesli, stirred into soups, made into salad dressing or drizzled over baked potatoes; or it can be taken on a teaspoon.  Remember linseed (or flaxseed oil) should always taste mild and pleasant even when taken on a spoon.)
 

A Traditional Cough Medicine

Still used by herbalists, Linseed was traditionally used with Liquorice root  to make a treatment for chest complaints including bronchitis,  consumption, tickly coughs, sore throats and laryngitis.  The usual form is as an infusion made by from an  ounce of the bruised liquorice root,  with a tablespoon of whole linseeds boiled in 1 pint of water for a few minutes.

A traditional home remedy recipe:

'Take a large teaspoonful of whole Linseeds, 25g of Spanish Liquorice root, and 100g. of raisins and put into1litre of water and boil, and reduce to 500ml. Add to it 115g brown sugar and 1 tbs of freshly squeezed lemon juice or white wine vinegar. Drink 250ml when going to bed and take a little whenever the cough when needed.'

The above mixture of linseed and liquorice has also been used to make cough candies.