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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Flaxseed (linseed in tagalog)

(Linum usitatissimum) Part used: Seed. Properties: Demulcent, emollient, laxative, mucilage, nutritional. What it affects: Lungs, throat, intestines and stomach.

Preparation and amount: Infusion: Steep 5-15 min. Take 1 cup daily. Decoction: Take 2 oz. 3 times daily. Tincture: Take 15-40 drops 3 times daily or as needed. Fluid extract: Take 15-30 drops 3 times daily or as needed. Powder: Take 10-20 #0 capsules (60-120 grains) once daily.

Purposes: Flaxseed is even more mucilaginous than slippery elm and useful for a variety of problems. It is better than olive oil, for the purposes for which it is used.
Internally, flaxseed is used for asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, constipation, coughs, diarrhea, enteritis, flatulence, hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, pleurisy, and lung, and chest problems. It is also good for all intestinal inflammations.
Eating the seed intact is good for constipation. Take 1-2 Tbsp. whole seeds and swallow with lots of water if necessary. Then eat stewed prunes. The seeds swell up in the intestines, encouraging elimination by increasing the volume of fecal matter.
To eliminate gallstones, take 1 ½ - 2 Tbsp. flaxseed oil and lie down on your left side for half an hour. The gallstones will pass into the intestines and be eliminated from there.

Externally, flaxseed is excellent in poultices for sores, boils, inflammation, and tumors. Combine it with slippery elm for boils, oozing sores , and burns.

Caution: It is best to avoid flaxseed if you have diverticulitis.

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