Flax Seed and Flax Seed Oil Remedies

Multiple Remedies

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Linda (CA, USA) on 01/31/2009
★★★★★

I used to get zits after eating fried foods, chips and nuts or the week before my period starts. But since I've been taking 3 tabs flaxseed oil per day (1000mg), I've had absolutely NO zits. It also seems to keep my keloid scar flatter, too. I've read that flax seed oil (omega-3's) are anti-inflammatory so it makes sense.You can use fish oil too, but I don't like the fishy burp breath. Omega-3's are supposed to help prevent inflammatory diseases like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, etc. For those who have a hard time swallowing the large tablets, there is always the liquid form which doesn't taste great but will do the job.

Replied by Lou
(Tyler, Tx)
01/13/2014

I think my keloid scar went away with an apple cider tea. I put apple cider in a crock pot and added cloves, ginger, stick cinnamon and nutmeg, I believe. There's a recipe on Earth Clinic similar to this.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
01/14/2014

Lou, was this tea recipe drunk or used externally?

Replied by Lou
(Tyler, Tx)
05/17/2014

You drink it!


Multiple Remedies
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, TN) on 09/23/2008 495 posts

The below info on flax seed oil comes from the Federal Government's Data Base on plants compiled by James Duke, PHD. This is only a small part of information on chemicals in flax & their actions.

I also wrote down some of the chemicals found in flax seed:

acetic acid 3,105 - 3,853 ppm (ACV is 5% actic acid)
alanine - antioxidant, cancer preventative
alpha linoleic acid l08,000 228,000 ppm
magnesium 3,715 -7,002 ppm
tocopherol 57 ppm (Vit E)
tryptophan, lysine, and other amino acids

I can also add that I have taken quite a bit of flax seed oil without any harm or unwanted side effects. Jim Duke's book "The Green Pharmacy" also includes flax seed and flax seed oil.

Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases
http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/

ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL
Oil 5 ppm;

Antialzheimeran; Antianginal; Antiarthritic; Antiasthmatic; Antiatherosclerotic; Anticancer; Anticataract; Anticonvulsant Synergen; Antidementia; Antidiabetic; Antiinfarctal; Antiinfertility; Antiischemic; Antimaculitic; Antimutagenic; Antineuropathic; Antioxidant 5 x quercetin IC34=10 uM; Antiparkinsonian; Antiradicular 5 x quercetin; Antiretinotic; Antirheumatic; Antistroke; Antitumor; Antitumor (Bladder); Antitumor (Prostate); Antitumor (Stomach); Antitumor-Promoter; Cancer-Preventive; Cardioprotective; Circulotonic; Immunomodulator


Nails

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Erex (Fayettville, Ny) on 12/24/2009
★★★★★

After eating for a couple of months about 3 tablespoons a day of flax seeds, which I was taking for another condition, I found my nails started growing in clear and healthy. I learned this quite by accident.


Oil Pulling

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by myra (westfield, new jersey) on 06/25/2009
★★★★★

I started oil pulling with flaxseed oil yesterday as that was the most organic, freshest oil I had in the house. I used 1 T and did it twice yesterday. I really wasn't expecting any immediate results, but amazingly the bronchitis I have had for over 3 weeks (after a bout of flu) is starting to break up. I am experiencing looser phlegm and less wheezing and the heavy feeling in my chest is gone. I cannot wait to see what further results will bring. Today will probably switch to safflower or coconut as they have had such great reviews here.


Pets

5 User Reviews
5 star (5) 
  100%

Posted by Jackie B (Vinings, GA) on 02/05/2008
★★★★★

I recently started to add 1/2 teaspoon of flax seed oil and 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to my dogs' food (Blackwood + ground turkey or ground beef). After 4 days, their coats are looking AMAZING! Shiny and glossy as can be. Also, they have no doggie smell whatsoever (more time between baths, thankfully) . Their eyes are bright and buzzing with energy. One side effect though is that it sometimes stimulates the anal glands if you know what I mean (e.g., stinky discharge). Too much flax and acv and their stools get loose. They seem to do okay on the 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon range (my 3 dogs all weigh between 45 - 65 pounds). I think I will try adding canned pumpkin to their food as well to firm up the stools. One suggestion -- don't give the flax/acv to your dog for his/her morning meal if they don't have access to the backyard since they may need to go to the bathroom more than once.


Pets
Posted by Raquelle Barczewski (Auckland, New Zealand) on 12/03/2007
★★★★★

I have found flax seed oil excellent for cats and dogs if they do not mind some in there food. It does not have much flavour and has an endless list of properties. Excellent for aging animals as is is good for skin, fur, brain and especially arthritis sufferers...if animals take this when young they would probably avoid later life conditions. Once I lived with a dog riddled with arthritis and looked crippled when walking...the owner agreed I could give her this oil and she actually gain mobility back to a huge degree and had a lot better quality to life before passing. Oh also great for humans too!


Pets
Posted by H Sparrow (Adelaide, Autstralia) on 05/04/2007
★★★★★

I just began giving my dog an omega 3 and 6 oil to go along with his glucosamine HCL, and sashas blend. The oil is said to be dirived from cold pressed fish and flax seed oil it is a well known remedy for skin and joint problems due to the EPA's DHA's and ALA's. But after having a quick look over this site's list of poisonous and toxic plants to cats and dogs I noticed that flax is listed on it with a discription that reads a wildflower and herb whose seed pods contain poisons. Now as you can imagime this has got me quite worried and confused as to the integrity of these flax oil, and omega 3 oil products that are made especially for pets. If anyone knows a bit more about it or can comment on it it would be a great help to me and my dog.


Pets
Posted by Tanya (Newport, NY) on 03/10/2007
★★★★★

My dog gets severe itching 2x per year due to allergies. I usually take her to the vet to refill her prenizone?. I hate the way it affects her. Constant urinating, weird eyes, always real hungry & thirsty. I was sick of seeing her like that. I search the internet for a natural remedy. FLAXSEED OIL!!! It is a natural anti inflamitory. I gave it a shot. 1 tbls 2-3x per day in 1/2 cup of cottage cheese. Her allergy was gone in 2 days, (opposed to 1 week with the meds) & she had more energy. Please search the internet for more information on this all natural oil. You wont beleive it. Both for you and your pets. PS I'm trying the apple cider vinegar diet I found on this site, I will keep you posted on my progress. Thank You for this wonderful website.


Pets
Posted by Sylence (Portage La Prairie, MB Canada) on 09/01/2006
★★★★★

I was given two budgies. One has no feathers under his wings, the other budgie has feathers and they are both in the same cage. Does anyone have a home remendy that would help this little budgie?


PMS

5 User Reviews
5 star (4) 
  80%
4 star (1) 
  20%

Posted by P.b. (Cape Breton, Ns) on 02/16/2011
★★★★☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Just another comment on flaxseed oil for PMS! It worked wonders. 1000 mg/day, every day, and no mood swings (formerly debilitating for me) or breast tenderness.

There was a side effect though - it shortened my cycle by a week. I couldn't stand that so I'm off it now. But haven't found anything else yet that worked as well.

Replied by Cary
(Atlanta)
07/28/2021

Maybe try just taking it for the second half of your cycle-after you ovulate. I noticed the same problem when I was taking Omega 3 supplements but it didn't shorten my cycle if I waited until after I ovulated to take it each month.

Ash
(Maine)
10/12/2021

Actually, flax should be taken in the first half (follicular) stage of your cycle if you're still menstruating. Some studies show that for younger women (premenopausal) it acts as an estrogen balancer, and for after menopause, it can help to increase estrogen. You can also look into seed cycling for your menstrual cycle too, which includes flax as well.


PMS
Posted by Jonna (Los Angeles, CA) on 05/28/2008
★★★★★

I have been taking flax seed oil for my skin. However, one additional benefit I have noticed is that flax oil is very helpful during those hormonal fluctuations in my cycle (ie., PMS!). I take more or less depending on how I feel. I take up to 3 tablespoons as day starting a week before I get my period. It takes about an hour, but has an immediate calming effect. I would say the effect lasts about 8 hours before I need to take more. I have also noticed that on day 5 of my period, something shifts in my brain chemistry again (ie., emotional, easily triggered) and I up my flax seed oil dosage again. I am going to keep experimenting with the dosages and will let you all know. I am guessing this could be one of the best remedies to get through perimenopause and menopause. Any else had the same results as me?


PMS
Posted by Georgie (Manhatten) on 03/04/2008
★★★★★

After my last period ended, I decided to try flax seed oil (highest lignan count that you can buy) for PMS symptoms. At the very start of my cycle, I started to take 1 tablespoon of flax in cottage cheese once, then twice a day after my system got used to it. I found that my stools were loose if 1 tablespoon of flax in anything other than cottage cheese. A week later I ran out of whole milk cottage cheese and opted for low fat cottage cheese. Low fat and flax oil was harder to digest and my stools became loose again. Make sure you take flax oil with whole milk, organic cottage cheese if possible! At any rate (and the main point of this story), hardly any PMS symptoms appeared! Mood was much more even keeled throughout the month and no breast tenderness whatsoever. In January I had tried ACV and Lugol's iodine with some success, but the flax has been the best remedy so far for PMS.


PMS
Posted by Jules (Laguna Hills, CA) on 10/08/2006
★★★★★

I had very bad PMS cramps right before and the first couple of days of menstruation. i read somewhere that flax seed oil was good for the overall health of women and the reproductive system so i started taking it daily, a tablespoon or so with yogurt or kefir, and the cramps dramatically decreased the month later. i was always able to tell right about when i start because of the cramps, but the following month i didn't know at all and it just came without warning. i took it for a few a months religiously, but it's been about two months since taking it regularly. the cramping hasn't come back, but i will start taking it again for my overall health. highly recommend it for PMS!


PMS
Posted by Sharon (Boston, MA)
★★★★★

I find that taking Flax Seed Oil (a few teaspoons a day, spread throughout the course of the day) radically helps the symptoms of my PMS. Also a calcium/magnesium liquid supplementation helps me a lot as well. Oh yes, also exercise! Can't believe I almost forgot about that. If I don't exercise regularly towards the onset of my period, I get foul tempered, especially when I drive.


Side Effects

2 User Reviews
1 star (1) 
  50%
(1) 
  50%

Posted by Michael (New Zealand) on 07/28/2016

According to Carolyn Simon, Naturopath, there can be pluses and/or minuses for Flax Seed Oil consumption by those people desiring health benefits from this interesting plant source, especially the vegetarians who eschew animal-based sources. I may write further on this subject because consuming Flax Seed Oil is becoming increasingly popular here in New Zealand, as a pure product that assists with the balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 composition in the human body. Apparently there are issues that one should be aware of when deciding whether or not to start taking Flax Seed Oil. Other readers may be more aware of these than I am?

Replied by Annie
(Sedona, Az)
07/29/2016

Are there other side effects other than the ability to absorb the fat due to over burdened liver? My husband is following Budwig cancer protocol. Not sure he is absorbing the fat even though it is a healthy fat.

Replied by Michael
(New Zealand)
07/30/2016

I include a quote from Carolyn Simon, Naturopath as follows:

"Are there any contraindications, concerns or adverse effects reported?

When taken by adults within the recommended dosage range there are no adverse effects and Flax-seed oil is non-toxic.

Babies and children, who have not been disadvantaged by many years on a western-style diet and are therefore unlikely to have an unbalanced ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3, are not recommended to take Flax-seed oil on a regular supplementary basis. Occasional doses as needed to relieve constipation or skin rashes can be beneficial.

Until more research is available, caution is recommended with flax-seed oil intake if you are at risk of macular degeneration. While studies show fish oil omega 3s have a preventative role, higher consumption of the plant based omega 3 ALAs has been linked to increased risk of this disease. More research is needed to clarify these findings.

People with either diabetes or schizophrenia may have problems converting ALA to EPA and DHA, so fish oil (a rich source of these), rather than flax-seed oil is recommended in these cases.

Some reports warn that flax-seed oil ALA has been linked to higher risk of breast and prostate cancers. Closer examination of various studies shows this view is not supported. Problems arise when ALAs from high consumption of saturated fat sources (butter, red meat etc) are included in data. Such foods are known to increase risk of many cancers due to their oxidative effect, whereas much current research has linked high quality flax-seed oil to a reduced cancer risk."

(I trust this is not confusing and maybe puts your mind at rest )



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