Health Benefits of Flax Seeds and Flaxseed Oil

Canker Sores

Posted by Jennifer (Northern, Idaho) on 01/28/2008
★★★★★

I was having chronic canker sores, usually 3 at a time. I tried everything I'd ever heard of with little success. I started taking Omega 3 in the form of flax seed oil for general health reasons. Within a week or so my sores were gone and I haven't had one since. I alternate between flax oil capsules (6 a day), ground flax seeds (2 tablespoons) and eating about 1/4 cup of walnuts.

Skin

Posted by Mariana (Billings, Mt) on 05/10/2010 11 posts
★★★★★

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hello, I just wanted to write and let you know what I used to cure my eczema. I developed an allergy-induced eczema on my legs when I started trying to eat dairy again (I knew I had been allergic before but thought I might have grown out of it). I quit eating the dairy after a few months, after developing a nasty case of eczema. It cleared up somewhat, but never completely went away for almost four years. It was especially bad on my inner thighs, and I would scratch it at night and it would bleed and get sores. I had to go on very strong steroids and antibiotics for it several times.

Then, this year I bought some cinnamon flavored flax oil (COLD PRESSED), at the health food store in the refrigerator section. I started taking 1 or 2 tablespoons a day. Usually I would take one in the morning and another at night. I noticed after about a week that my eczema was looking and feeling much smoother, and by the end of three weeks it was COMPLETELY gone. I couldn't believe it, and I couldn't believe I had suffered with it so long when the remedy was so easy.

I continued to take the flax oil for a few months, but I noticed it also had a side effect for me. I am a 26-year-old female and, the flax oil at that dose made my periods come much closer together, sometimes only two weeks apart. So I stopped taking the flax oil, and they went back to normal.

Now I am taking canola oil and another oil mix that is high in omega-3 acids, and the eczema has not returned. I think it was the high dose of omega 3-s that cured me, but maybe it was also something specific to the flax oil? I always ate quite a bit of fish, and that didn't seem to help any (which is also high in omega 3's). Anyway, if I start having any problems with eczema again I will know what to do. An extra monthly cycle or two is definitely worth clearing have clear eczema-free skin!!!!

Nails

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.

Skin

Posted by Linda (Melbourne, Australia) on 11/11/2007
★★★★★

Hi all, I have been taking flaxseed oil for about 3mths 4 tablespoons a day so i decided to use it as a mosturiser on my face, i do suffer from acne as well im 40 and never looked my age after about a week i noticed a difference in my skin and it started to clear up my acne its been 4 weeks now and i am so happy my skin glows and looks so healthy, people have started to comment how good my skin looks, as well as the flaxseed oil i use vco with it, it helps me maybe it could help others, you can find it in a fridge in health food shops cost $11 and last for couple months. Hope others find it good as well.

Skin

Posted by Deirdre (Los Angeles, CA)
★★★★★

I started taking Flax Seed oil as an Omega 3 supplement. However, almost immediately I noticed that my skin became noticeably softer and more supple. I increased the dosage to 3x a day (my system had to get used to this, mind you, as it is a laxative) and I swear the wrinkles on my face are much less noticeable!

Hyperthyroid Symptoms

Posted by Annabelle (Boston) on 07/04/2019
★★★★★

Ground flaxseeds have greatly alleviated my hyperthyroid symptoms. They make me feel calmer and more relaxed immediately. I am seeing results from the oil as well.

Cholesterol, Constipation, Allergies

Posted by Mow (Tulsa, Ok) on 06/27/2012
★★★★★

I had constipation, tried to include fiber in diet from fruits and veggies but guess what, it was difficult that way. Then I came to about ground flax seed, decided to give it a try, took three teaspoon of it every night for three nights, did not help, increased the dose to three table spoon, from fourth day I have been going regularly without any effort. Drink a lot of water though. It builds immune system, because of that or adding honey to it, which I tried to drink everyday but could never make it a routine, my allergy is gone. Oh one more thing, my cholesterol is down to normal, for which I have been having medicine for a long time. Fiber in your diet actually helps reduce cholesterol. Take it, you will thank me and flax seed.

Gallbladder

Posted by Kelly (Cincinnati, Ohio) on 10/25/2009
★★★★★

a good remedy for gall bladder pain is to take 1 TBSP of flax seed with 2 1/2 cups of water and boil for 5min. pour off flax seed oil (rich in omega-3 fatty acids, life fish) and drink. I put some cinnamon and truvia (plant based sweetner) to taste and sip till gone. It really helped. alot of websites tell you to grind flax seed, but if you don't have a grinder, just take what you need for a week( in recipes et.),and put 1 tbsp. flax seed/1 to 1-1/2 cups water in a clear jar w/ a lid and refridgerate overnight (use distilled or spring wate of course). the flax oil will leach out and rise to the top by morning------- for the gall bladder attack though, boil and drink like a tea ASAP. It helped me. don't store too long in fridge.

Chelitis

Posted by Naz (Karachi Pakistan) on 11/19/2013

Hi there, I suffer from really bad chelitis and I feel its more than that...can u pls tell me what brand u used? also 6 capsules seem a lot...were there any side effects? Thanks! :)

General Feedback

Posted by Gem (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) on 07/30/2009

Flaxseed oil is used to make linolium {lino used as a floor covering} Lino is oxidized linseed oil. Flaxseed/Linseed is a highly volatile oil (oxidises easily). If you must use it, only buy cold pressed oil in a dark bottle and store it in your refrigerator. Throw out any unused linseed oil after 3 weeks. Otherwise you will just be making lino on your blood vessels. The most volatile oil of all, is canola oil. The most stable oil is coconut oil.

Oil Pulling

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.

Eyes

Posted by Rob (Northeast, USA) on 04/13/2009
★★★★★

Help for Graves Disease Eye Trouble

I have had Graves disease for a couple of years. I have not had a lot of trouble with eye protrusion, but I have suffered several severe struggles with dry, crusty, scratchy, painful eyes. The first round was helped by antithyroid meds. But for the last bout I was no longer on meds. I found that flaxseed oil was very helpful. I have been taking it for a few months now, 1 tablespoon with breakfast, another with supper (on some food). There seems to be a fairly predictable correlation between when my flaxseed oil habit gets interrupted and the return of eye symptoms (which reminds me to get back to the oil).

Cancer

Posted by Lori (Orlando, FL) on 03/23/2009
★☆☆☆☆

Flax seed use with Prostate Cancer:

This question is for Ted-

My father has prostate cancer, he had the HIFU treatment last year. His PSA was just done and has jumped from 1.4 to 10.7 in just 3 months. In November 2008, I encouraged him to start taking ground flax seed meal daily. I have recently read conflicting articles on the use of flax seed meal with prostate problems (estrogen). I'm thinking maybe the flax seed is responsible for the recent elevated PSA? I'm hoping you could shed some light on that. He also currently takes Vit C, D3, E, fish oil, selenium. He is drinking ACV and alkaline water (bought an alkalizer). I need to harp on him for his sweet tooth, so I'm sure there is a candida issue.

Diabetes

Posted by Lilian (Atlanta, Georgia) on 01/26/2009
★★★★★

At the beginning of the year (2009) my husband and I went on the famous cabbage diet (more as a cleansing mechanism than for weight loss). My husband was diagnosed with diabetes II 3 years ago. His starting fasting glucose was 260. We kept his sugar at the 130 range fasting over the past 3 years with medication. Well, a week after the diet his sugar had gone to 110 -fasting. Now 3 weeks later it has gone to 89-105 fasting. We thought the diet changes (we have been more careful about what we put in our mouth) made the difference. However we just realized that at the beginning of the year he also changed from fish oil cabs to Flax oil (2 in the morning, 2 at night). We believe the mix of cleansing our bodies of toxins and the use of flax has contributed to his low sugar levels. He continues to take his Metformin, but we hope to discontinue (or lower dose; from 2 a day to just 1) in the next month or so. P.S: because of his diabetes, while on the diet, he had a low sugar (1g) bowl of cereal in the morning and 1 at night if he felt hungry.

Ulcers

Posted by Maja (Port Murray, New Jersey) on 06/27/2008
★★★★★

Ground Flax seeds cured my ulcers. When blood appears in my stool, I take 1 - 2 TBSP freshly ground flax seeds with hot water. I always take it in the morning and before dinner. The best if you take in on empty stomach.

Skin

Posted by Marilyn (Snellville, GA) on 07/11/2007
★★★★★

At 52 my skin looks great - very few wrinkles - and I am reluctant to admit it - I'm a sun worshipper. I have taken 2 tbs of flaxseed oil a day for years and I also use it with any cheap face lotion. I rub in (currently) Suave lotion with a small amount (dime size) of flaxseed oil. Could be genetics - but what the heck - flaxseed is still good for you.