In the medicine of the Ancient East, flax was used as a soothing and cleansing agent. Flax is a source of vitamins and minerals, fiber, and complete plant protein. Flax is an annual cultivated herb with a short yellow-white root. It has a single stem, reaching up to one hundred centimeters in height. The inflorescence is paniculate, with blue flowers and long pedicels.
The flax seeds themselves are about seven millimeters long, with an oval shape. In traditional medicine, flax seeds are recommended for coughs, as an antitussive and expectorant. They are also commonly used for colitis, constipation, as a laxative.
Ground seeds (two teaspoons) are diluted in a glass of boiling water, then infused for ten minutes and drunk three times a day after straining. Flax is often used in traditional medicine to cleanse the kidneys. A teaspoon of flax seeds is poured into a glass of water, then boiled and strained, and the resulting decoction is consumed within a day, half a glass every two hours. For head ulcers and hard tumors, flaxseed poultices are made. Open wounds are sprinkled with ground roasted seeds to relieve itching and pain, and dry the wound.
In the treatment of diabetes, flax is included in a digestive mixture in traditional medicine, along with bean pods, oat straw, and blueberry leaves in equal proportions. The infusion is taken half a glass with meals, three times a day.
For severe diarrhea, an enema is used: a tablespoon of flax seeds is poured with half a glass of water and simmered for fifteen minutes over low heat, then strained. In food, flax seeds are used in coarsely ground form and washed down with plenty of water. They can be mixed with jam or honey in a 1:1 ratio. It is very beneficial to use flax seeds as an addition to vegetable salads, porridges, homemade pastries, or dairy products at five grams per day, with the treatment course lasting a maximum of two months.
Flax in traditional medicine has contraindications: active tuberculosis, acute intestinal secretion disorders, cholecystitis (in the case of pain syndrome), overdose in treatment, and should not be used for poultices in the case of bleeding or open wounds. Flax seeds are considered a powerful immunomodulator. To strengthen the immune system: finely ground seeds (three teaspoons) mixed with sugar or honey (one teaspoon) are given to children three times a day, one teaspoon each.
For arthritis treatment, flaxseed compresses are used. Strongly heated flax seeds on a pan are packed in a coarse cloth bag and regularly applied to the aching joints. Flax oil, prepared by cold pressing, has high biological value and is widely used in traditional medicine. This oil is used to treat cardiovascular diseases, liver, intestines, hypertension, thyroid gland, in stroke prevention, and to normalize stomach secretion. It has rejuvenating and wound-healing properties and increases potency in men. In nutrition, this oil is used cold: in side dishes, salads, and mixed with honey.
Overall, flax is used extensively and widely in traditional medicine due to its widespread availability.