Flaxseed Oil

What is Flaxseed Oil?

A rich source of healing oil, flaxseed has been cultivated for more than 7000 years. First cultivated in Europe, the plant's brown seeds were regularly used to prepare balms for inflamed skin and healing slurries for constipation. Rich in essential fatty acids, or EFAs, flaxseed oil is used to prevent and treat heart disease and to relieve a variety of inflammatory disorders and hormone-related problems, including infertility.

Flaxseeds (also called linseeds) are best known for the therapeutic oil that is derived by pressing them. Rich in essential fatty acids, or EFAs, flaxseed oil has earned a solid reputation for treating a range of ailments, from heart disease to lupus.

The essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil are its key healing components. EFAs are particularly valuable because the body needs them to function properly, but can't manufacture them on its own. Essential fatty acids work throughout the body to protect cell membranes, keeping them efficient at admitting healthy substances while barring damaging ones.

Some of the more common uses of flaxseed oils include:

• Control constipation, haemorrhoids, diverticular disorders and gallstones,
• Counter inflammation associated with gout, lupus and fibrocystic breasts,
• Lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease and control high blood pressure,
• Treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, sunburn and rosacea,
• Minimise nerve damage that causes numbness and tingling as well as other disorders,
• Reduce cancer risk and guard against the effects of ageing,
• Promote healthy hair and nails,
• Treat menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, female infertility and endometriosis, andFight prostate problems, male infertility and impotence
  

Side Effects and Warnings of Flaxseed Oil

You should be very careful when using Flaxseed Oil and always follow your medical advice. You should not take it if you are pregnant or breast feeding and if under the age of 12.

Others who should seek medical advice include women with hormone-dependent conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or cancers of the breast, ovaries, or uterus and men with prostate cancer. Individuals who have had oesophageal or intestinal blockages should not use flaxseed.

Side effects associated with taking flaxseed are gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhoea, gas, nausea, stomach pain and allergic reactions.

Flaxseed oil has been reported to increase the time blood needs to clot. When it is taken with anti-platelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. You should therefore avoid taking Anti-platelets as well as Anti-coagulants such as aspirin, heparin and warfarin. 

If you take flaxseed, do not take other drugs within 2 hours.

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