Common flax: medicinal properties and contraindications

Common flax is a plant also known under the names snapdragon, wild flax, shoemaker and branchial. In official medicine, it did not find its application, but due to the strong therapeutic effect it is widely used in folk medicine. Nevertheless, in some countries, even the doctors themselves, when prescribing treatment, recommend that their patients use flax. For example, German doctors recommend using this plant for hepatitis, constipation and problems with the bladder. Korean experts advise to achieve complete calm with the help of flax, that is, they consider it an excellent sedative. And Mongolian doctors advise using it for animal bites.

Scientists from St. Petersburg conducted very interesting studies in 2010, which showed that bacteria were introduced into the flax DNA. This means that it is possible to transfer specific genes between higher plants and bacteria. This does not make flax flax much, since many transgenic plants are already known, but puts it on a par with tobacco and sweet potato.

It is impossible to establish for certain when exactly the healing properties of flaxseed became known, but they began to treat it a very long time ago - that's for sure. Ancient healers used it for inflammation of the eyes and lacrimation, for quick scarring of wounds on the skin, with bloody diarrhea. There was even such a belief that if you enjoy a drink from flax, watching the starry sky, then over the next year a person will not be afraid of snakebites.

Chemical composition

1. Flax flax is very rich in essential microelements and vitamins, its composition is characterized by chemical diversity. It is based on alkaloids and glycosides.
2. The grass is very rich in organic acids, phytosterols, various tannins, and plant-derived steroids. It contains a lot of carotene, pectin, vitamins C and B9.
3. Flaxseed seeds contain up to 35% fatty vegetable oil. Paraffins and hydrocyanic acid are released during hydrolysis.
4. Additionally, this medicinal plant contains resins, mucus, minerals, triacanthin and saponins.

How it looks and where it grows

Flax flax vulgaris is a perennial herbaceous plant that can reach a height of about 90 cm. This grass belongs to the well-known Podorozhnikov family. The stems are branched, densely overgrown with leaves, there are long shoots. The root is stem and can grow up to 1 m long, sometimes a branched root system is found. Flowers of irregular shape, collected in elongated inflorescences, are painted yellow. The fruit is an oval shaped box with a huge amount of seeds - up to 32 thousand.

Flaxseed blooms all summer and September, the fruits begin to ripen in August. For pollination, bees or bumblebees are needed. For some insects, flax is an insecticide, very toxic to horses.

In total, more than 100 species of flax flax are known, 18 of which are listed as rare plants.The most popular species: ordinary (which is discussed in this article), the so-called Moroccan and a plant with a complex name - cymbal-shaped, as well as Cretaceous, bifid. Less well known are purple, alpine, Dalmatian.

Common flax grows on the territory of Russia almost everywhere: in forests, fields, on roadsides, embankments, edges, meadows, etc. Since the seeds are spread by the wind, this plant can be attributed to the alien and weed. Because of this, flax is often found among cattle feed crops like a common weed.

Grass grows in Asian regions with a temperate climate. He likes good lighting and well-drying soil after watering.

Some species of flax flaxseed look attractive enough to breed them on flower beds as an ornamental plant.

Collection and storage

Common flax flax refers to conditionally poisonous plants, therefore it is necessary to collect it with gloves, and then you need to thoroughly wash your hands with soap.

For the preparation of useful raw materials, grass without flowers is used and only during the flowering period. It is best to collect the plant in dry and sunny weather, because this way it dries faster and is better preserved for a long time.

When cutting flax, you need to retreat 10 cm from the ground, leaving a “stump” with a root. Cutting and grinding the stem is undesirable; it dries in its original form. It is worth considering that when harvesting the plant begins to smell very unpleasant and sharply, and when dried, this smell is further enhanced.

Stalks need to be laid out in a thin layer on a newspaper in a normally ventilated room or on the street in the shade. If the air is sufficiently dry and warm, the process of harvesting raw materials will not take more than 2-3 weeks.

Store already dried grass only in a dry room, folded in cardboard boxes, fabric or paper bags - it is important that the raw materials "breathe". You can not store it with other medicinal herbs, because flax is poisonous. If everything is done correctly, then you can store dried flaxseed for a year.

The healing properties of flax

In folk medicine, flax flax is very widespread due to its many useful properties: it is an expectorant, and painkiller, and antipyretic, and diuretic, and choleretic, and diaphoretic. Sometimes it is used in the fight against parasites.

Scope of common flax flax:

• bronchitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia;
• anemia, blood diseases;
• hepatitis;
• pyelonephritis, cystitis, urolithiasis;
• scabies, psoriasis, diathesis;
• purulent wounds and ulcers on the skin, boils;
• gastritis, ulcers, constipation, flatulence, poisoning;
• parasites (worms);
• hemorrhoids;
• pressure problems: hypotension, hypertension;
• violation of the level of hormones in the body, a malfunction of the menstrual cycle;
• conjunctivitis;
• ARI;
• fungi;
• Meniere's syndrome (inner ear disease);
• weakened immunity;
• enuresis;
• nervous stress.

This wide range of applications due to the very rich chemical composition of flax flax is explained. The peganin substance is able to reduce pressure, improve the tone of the uterus and intestines. Organic acids have antiseptic and antioxidant properties, alkalize and improve metabolism. Glycosides have an antimicrobial effect and reduce the permeability of capillaries, increase the elasticity of red blood cells.

Flaxseed improves metabolism in the body, has an expectorant property, facilitating the discharge of sputum. It is also able to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract from toxins, which is necessary for poisoning, and also removes stones and sand from the kidneys and bladder.

Flaxseed attaches great importance to inflammation, strengthens the body as a whole. The herb favorably affects the hormonal background (sex hormones are meant), which leads to the normalization of the disturbed menstrual cycle in women and potency in men. It relieves pain, relieves discomfort in patients with hernias. Traditional healers use flax to treat myopathy, a hereditary disease associated with muscle weakness. There are cases when it was effective in the complex treatment of paralysis of the limbs.

Any inflammation of the throat, eyes, mucous membranes is removed with the help of flax, as it is a strong antiseptic. External use helps to get rid of purulent wounds, boils, cuts, burns, rashes, acne and other skin lesions.

If you douche with a decoction of flax flax with vulvovaginitis, the inflammatory process in the female genital organs will pass much faster. And with hemorrhoids, you can use several methods at once: tampons with ointment from flax, baths from decoction and compresses.

This is not a complete list of diseases in which ordinary flax flax has proved its effectiveness. This includes gastritis, a stomach and duodenal ulcer, worms, enuresis and many others.

Common flax in folk medicine

For eye diseases

You need to take 20 g of common flax, elderberry and cornflower and pour the mixture with 2 cups of hot water. Insist 8 hours, then strain. With this infusion, regularly flush eyes or compresses at least 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.

With hypotension (low blood pressure)

Mix 1 teaspoon of corn stigmas, flax and immortelle. A mixture of herbs pour 2 cups of boiling water, leave for 2 hours, then squeeze and strain. Drink this infusion of 1 teaspoon every day before each meal.

With sore throat (tonsillitis, with acute respiratory infections)

In this case, one flax will fit without auxiliary herbs. Need 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of grass 400 ml of boiling water, cover and leave for 1 hour. A strained infusion to gargle a sore throat every hour until recovery.

For diseases of the liver and kidneys

Take the same composition of herbs as under reduced pressure: corn stigmas, flax and immortelle in equal parts. The total mixture of dried herbs should be 1.5 teaspoons. Pour a glass of hot water and insist under the lid for 1 hour. Strain, cool and drink 1 tbsp. spoon before each meal. The course of treatment is no more than 2 weeks.

Compresses for purulent wounds and skin ulcers

Flaxseed very well relieves inflammation and alleviates pain, so it is widely used not only for diseases of internal organs and systems, but also for damage to the skin. 6 tbsp. tablespoons of dried raw materials pour 1 cup boiling water, strain after 2 hours. With this infusion, wash the wounds or compress the damaged areas until complete healing.

With the disease (syndrome) of Meniere

With this disease, it is recommended to take flax infusion inside of 125 ml 2 times a day before meals. The infusion should be at room or warm temperature. 1 tbsp. spoon of dried grass pour 1 cup of hot water and insist for 10 minutes.

For toothache, inflammation and bleeding gums, bad breath you need to take 1 cup of boiling water and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry flax. Boil for 10 minutes, cool, strain and rinse the broth with your mouth after each meal and brushing your teeth.

With flatulence, bloating and intestinal colic

1 teaspoon pour 1 cup of hot water and boil over medium heat for 10 minutes. Then cool and strain the solution as standard. Drink this broth 4 times a day for 1 tbsp. spoon.

With hemorrhoids

You need to take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dried herbs common flax, water pepper and oak bark. Crush these herbs into a fine powder (dust) and mix with 3 tbsp. tablespoons of petroleum jelly or lard. Soak the swab with this ointment and inject it rectally.

For constipation

Pour a glass of dry flax flax with a glass of vodka and insist only a few hours, after which the tincture is ready for use. Drink 1 tbsp. spoon before bedtime.

With malignant tumors

Common flax flax is often used together with the official comprehensive treatment for oncology. Need 1 dec. pour a spoonful of grass 250 ml of hot water and hold over steam for 15 minutes. Then remove from the water bath and insist another 45 minutes. Strain. Drink 1 tbsp. spoon half an hour before meals three times a day.

In cases where the tumor is outside, you can use the same herbal solution for lotions and compresses.

With skin inflammation (swelling, redness, swelling)

In 500 ml of milk you need to boil 4 tbsp.tablespoons of dried flax. The mixture will be a slurry consistency. As soon as it boils, remove from heat and cool to a warm state. Then wrap this mass in gauze or cotton cloth, a dense paper towel in several layers and put on the damaged place.

With dystrophy

Take grass with vodka in a ratio of 10: 2. Insist 3 weeks, shaking regularly. Then squeeze the grass, and strain the tincture. Take 40 drops of tincture before meals 3 times a day, drinking plenty of clean drinking water.

Council of specialists

Dermatologists give their recommendations for the treatment of affected skin with flax. You need to take grass and 70 percent alcohol in proportions of 2 to 1 and insist this mixture for a day in a dark place. Then add 10 parts of pork fat (or unsalted fat, or petroleum jelly), put in a water bath and keep there until the alcohol evaporates completely. Then mix the resulting ointment until smooth, cool, squeeze and apply to damaged areas of the skin.

Do not forget that although common flax flax is not included in the list of official medicines, its effect is very strong and all contraindications and side effects must be taken into account. Before using it in any form, you should consult a doctor who will adequately assess the condition of the body, the interaction with the medications taken and the advisability of using this healing herb.

The use of flax in cosmetology

Common flax flax is not only able to help overcome body ailments, but also tidy up the appearance and solve problems with hair and skin.

For hair

Flaxseed eliminates prolapse and dandruff, strengthens the roots and gives shine to curls, removes itching and gives a feeling of comfort to the head. For these purposes, a decoction is used in the ratio of 1 tbsp. a spoon of grass in 400 ml of hot water. Boil for 10 minutes, cover with a lid and a towel, soak for 2 hours, strain and use for rinsing after each wash.

You can rub the ointment of flax into the scalp with light massage movements. This will strengthen the hair follicles, improve blood circulation and accelerate their growth.

For skin

To combat skin imperfections, standard recipes for tinctures, decoction and ointments with flax are suitable. With a cotton pad dipped in an alcoholic herbal tincture, you need to wipe your face twice a day. Broth can be washed in the morning and before bedtime, and ointment to smear the most affected areas of the skin. Such simple procedures will help get rid of inflammation.

Domestic use

Common flax flax found its application not only in folk medicine, but also in everyday life and household.

Fresh grass is an effective insecticide, therefore it is often used to control harmful insects, for example, in horses. But it is worth remembering that the plant is poisonous and for these animals is extremely dangerous, therefore, such procedures should be carried out with utmost care.

Flaxseed flowers contain a lot of yellow pigment called antochlor. It can be used for coloring something. But due to the toxicity of the plant, you need to work only with gloves.

Types of healing compounds

For home treatment, common flax is used in different forms, depending on which ailment you need to combat. From this herb, you can prepare infusion, tincture, ointment, oil, broth, steam, juice, tea, baths.

Tincture

For 50 g of dried flax flax, take 500 ml of vodka or diluted to the required concentration of alcohol. The mixture is infused for 2 weeks, occasionally shaking.

Infusion

Infusion for internal use is prepared as follows: 1 teaspoon of grass pour a glass of boiling water and leave for about 40 minutes.For external use, take 90 g of grass and 300 ml of hot water, in this case, insist in at least 2 hours.

Decoction

15 g flaxseed pour 300 ml of warm water and put on low heat. Boil the herbal mixture for about 10 minutes, then cool and strain through cheesecloth or cotton cloth.

It is worth noting that the broth is quite pleasant to the taste, so even children drink it without problems.

Flax flax broth can also be prepared in milk. This method is often used for further external use. 300 ml of milk pour into a bowl and put on a small fire, add 5 tbsp. spoons of dry grass. All this boil over low heat until the mass thickens.

Ointment

2 tbsp. tablespoons of grass chopped into a fine powder (in powder) and mix with 5 tbsp. spoons of lard or pharmacy petroleum jelly. Warm this mixture in a water bath until fat is completely dissolved and mix until smooth. You can apply immediately after cooling. Store the ointment in a tightly closed container at room temperature.

Butter

You need to chop the grass and mix with vegetable oil in a ratio of 1 to 3. It is better to take olive oil, but you can use the more familiar sunflower. Then you need to warm the oil mixture in a water bath for half an hour, cover and wrap in a thick terry towel. In this wrapped form, the oil is stored for a day. Repeat heating and cooling again in exactly the same way. Strain through several layers of gauze or thick paper towels.

Store the finished oil in a cool and dark place, and shake well before each use.

Napar

You need to take 1 dess. spoonful of chopped dry flax, pour 1 cup boiling water, and then steam in a water bath over steam for 15 minutes. Then let the steam cool and insist for another 45 minutes.

Juice

Used in folk medicine, not only dried grass, but also fresh, or rather, its juice. To obtain it, you need to take the tops of the plant, but not more than 15 cm. They are also cut off during the flowering of the plant. Grind the grass with a blender, then squeeze the juice from this mushy mass. You can take it in its pure form for 1 tbsp. spoon before bedtime. And for external use, you need to dilute it with water or milk in a ratio of 20 ml of juice and 500 ml of liquid.

Tea

You can prepare a preventive healthy herbal tea with flax in the composition. This drink is very pleasant to taste and will appeal to both adults and children.

You need to take 1 teaspoon of flaxseed, 1 pinch of lemon balm, 1 pinch of sage and 1 teaspoon of honey. A mixture of these components is brewed in a teapot, and then diluted with water to taste.

Bathtubs

You can take medicinal baths with flax or make baths, for example, with hemorrhoids. To do this, you need to take 75 g of flax flax, one large leaf of plantain and 50 g of red clover. Pour 5 liters of water all over this grass and bring to a boil. Then cool and strain this broth. Pour the resulting broth into a third-filled bathroom. Water temperature should be no more than 38 degrees. You can take such baths no longer than half an hour.

In each case, you need to pay attention to the special instructions in the recipe, because some of them require other proportions of the components. For example, in the tincture, you can take less or more herbs to change the saturation of the composition. With infusion and broth is similar. You can add a small piece of red hot pepper to the oil if it will be used for massage, etc.

Contraindications

In no case should you self-medicate, taking flax in any form should be accompanied by consultation with a doctor! And you need to clearly understand for yourself that if the doctor allows or recommends taking ordinary flax, then this is only as an addition to the main treatment, and not instead. It must be understood that, like any medicine, even official, even folk, this also has a number of contraindications.

1. Allergy. Of course, if after the first intake of flax flax some manifestations of an allergic reaction appeared in the form of a rash, swelling, tearing, etc., then the use of grass should be stopped immediately.
2. For pregnant women, flax is strictly prohibited! This can lead to premature termination of pregnancy.
3. Also, mothers nursing babies with their milk should refrain from common flax.
4. Children under 3 years of age are also recommended to protect from the use of flax.
5. You can not use this healing herb for people with severe forms of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
6. Flaxseed helps fight diseases and disorders of the liver and kidneys, but not when it comes to severe forms of the disease, such as cirrhosis or renal failure. In such cases, flax should be abstained.

Side effects

Like any medicine, flax can give side effects, especially since it is a poisonous plant. If you deviate from the proportions in the preparation of infusion, decoction or exceed the dosage, then the complications will not take long. The most common side effects from eating flax are expressed in vomiting, dizziness and heart failure in the most difficult cases.

If you exceed the dosage of flax, then dizziness can reach a faint. Often there is an acute pain in the abdomen, which can mislead the doctor during the examination and cause a wrong diagnosis. Possible stool disorder (diarrhea), spasms in the intestines. The rhythm of cardiac activity, such as tachycardia or extrasystole, may be disturbed.

If there is an overdose of drugs from flaxseed, then when you seek medical help you must, first of all, tell the doctor about it. This will help him immediately make the correct diagnosis and prescribe an effective and proper treatment.

Additionally

1. External use is not limited.
2. Grass is toxic to calves and cows, but not like horses, and rarely causes serious poisoning in them. Symptoms of animal poisoning: increased salivation, diarrhea, foam from the mouth, cramps, weakness.
3. You can not prepare various solutions, ointments, teas from herbs in a metal container. It is necessary to use only enameled or glassware, since an unwanted and negative health reaction with metal is possible.
4. You can not collect grass for medical use along roads and railways, near industrial enterprises, especially chemical ones. Plants in such areas absorb all emissions and emissions of toxic substances. Flaxseed tends to accumulate a large amount of salts of heavy metals. In order for grass to contain only useful components, it is necessary to collect it in meadows, in forests far from industry and civilization as a whole.

Photo of common flax