The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Cholesterol
Posted by Bridgette (USA) on 10/18/2005
★★★★★
Freshly ground Flax Seed. Buy the Flax Seeds whole and organic. Grind them just before using... a few tablespoons per day on your food, salads, etc or just grind and eat them alone. Never substitute with pre-ground or the oil... they are not as effective at lowering cholesterol. Extra vitamin C helps too.
Blood Pressure
Posted by Rakaia (Australia) on 02/24/2022
Hi how much flaxseed are you taking? Also do you take prescribed medication along with the flaxseed?
Flax Seed Hair Gel
Posted by Kat (East Coast USA) on 10/20/2023
★★★★★
I've been using my own hair gel for about 2 years now. I have long thick naturally curly (dry) hair.
Here is the recipe:
- 3 cups water
- 6 tbsp whole flax seeds
- 1 tbsp black walnut oil
- 10 drops essential oil (optional)
Add seeds to cold water and bring to a boil. Simmer until it thickens, about 10 minutes, stirring often. Strain and let cool to lukewarm. Add oils and mix well. Store in refrigerator.
Flax Seed Tips
Posted by Kelly (Cinti, Ohio) on 03/09/2013
Hello everyone, a heads up about the easiest way to get flax and flax seed oil into you. Pre-hydrate 1 Tbsp FS with 1 cup water (with lid-old food jar) and refridgerate. The water softens the seed and frees the oil so there is no need to grind. A local herbalist here told me this as he does this every morning to dump into his health shake. And flax seed tea is great for soothing gallbladder pain etc. I add cinnamon for flavor. I would not keep the hydrated flax more than a couple of days where the same ratio of chia seeds can be kept for up to a couple of weeks. Blessings.
Cholesterol, Constipation, Allergies
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 06/28/2012
Hi Mow, Glad to hear that you really benefitted from flax seed. Could I also suggest you check out chia seed? It's a power- packed little seed that was used by the Aztecs and Mayans as an endurance food to help increase energy while hunting. I have fallen in love with it. I drink it every morning in a pure fruit probiotic drink also reaping the benefits of probiotics. They're super nutritious w/ 22% protein and containing both Omega 3 and 6 fats. They can help you lose weight since they're very liquid absorbant so they make you feel full. They also help detoxify you and cleanse your colon! They're also easier to digest than flaxseed.
These are only some of the benefits of chia seed, so hopefully you'll check them out. Take care, Lisa
Cholesterol, Constipation, Allergies
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 06/29/2012
Lisa, I use chia seeds too, and have read that they get digested even if they are not chewed! Flax and sesame seeds don't and should be milled before eating or chewed very well.
Cholesterol, Constipation, Allergies
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 06/29/2012
Hi Mmsg, Glad to hear you've discovered the benefits of chia as well. I love its versatility. The other nice thing about chia is it has a stable shelf life as opposed to flax seed. I've turned a couple of vegan girls onto it and they like to make chia pudding. Haven't tried making that myself but it sounds yummy! One recipe I found was chia seeds in almond milk with stevia to make a tapioca- type pudding. I think I really must try that one! Here's to health and joy, Lisa
Constipation
Posted by Suzanne (Abbotsford, Bc) on 03/10/2010
★★★★★
When travelling, my daughter had problems with constipation, as many do. I had a lot of ground flaxseed along, so she ate a dessert bowlful for her cereal that morning, and voila! Problem solved. It IS important to drink lots of water with it, though.
Cancer
Posted by Richard (WA) on 10/01/2024
Multiple Remedies
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.
Side Effects
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 09/23/2008 490 posts
Response to Janice: I think your error is in picking out one chemical alone and ignoring all the other fail-safe chemicals that our creator put into this plant. Most plants (even the non-hybrids) have a few harmful chemicals but other chemicals included in them make them safe to eat or take as herbal remedies. Hence my pokeweed berries that are supposed to be poison, but 40 years past first beginning to appreciate their good qualities, I have nothing but good to say about them although they are supposed to be poison.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, TN) on 09/23/2008 490 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
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.
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!
Constipation
Posted by Shannon (Glen Burnie, Maryland) on 10/01/2007
★★★★★
I was bulimic for ten years. I severly messed up my stomach and colon. I was taking mass amounts of laxatives and have been severly constipated. My solution is drinking 8-10 cups of water (works better than any prescribed laxative) and I eat flaxseed meal on my yogurt. I also have eliminated fats because it's the hardest thing to digest and i get violent muscle spasms after I eat it. I also eat no flour and sugar because I have a food addiction. I also have to excercise because it stimulates the colon and helps to relieve constipation. My only problem now is my chronic fatigue. I still am so weak some days- even after 2 1/2 years of not binging and purging and I don't know why I still so weak.
Tinnitus
Posted by Seetal (Brampton, Ontario)
★★★★★
i started taking ground flaxseed and psyllium husks 1-1 tsp mix together and mix in warm milk drink it quickly b/4 go to bed at night. glucosmine capsule 2 a day 1 in the morning 1 at night. i noticed my ears are not noisy any more. I had this problem for 10-12 years
Dry Mouth & Dry Eyes
Posted by Sharon (USA) on 02/24/2022
Wondering if this also helps with dry skin. Thank you.
Dry Mouth & Dry Eyes
Posted by Cheryl (Atlanta, Georgia) on 02/24/2022
How do you use flaxseed oil for dry mouth? Do you rinse with it? I have had chronic dry mouth since youth! My mouth has more caps and empty holes as a result. I have a few original teeth that I'm fighting to keep. Tried and no real solution has worked. How do you use flaxseed oil? How long does it kick in?
Hyperthyroid Symptoms
Posted by Rebecca (Maryland ) on 08/01/2019
Flax may work for hyperthyroidism because it suppresses thyroid function altogether by increasing estrogen levels. Please look for another way because of the info in my other comment I posted on this thread...it's not worth the risk of serious hormonal imbalances and possible risks of cancer down the road.
PMS
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.
PMS
Posted by Cary (Atlanta) on 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.
Hemorrhoids
Posted by Shari (Denver, Co) on 12/29/2009
Hemorrhoids-Try flaxseed oil. It's an Omega-3 oil known to be anti-inflammatory and it has the ability to heal the bowel. Start with a teaspoon a day, taken with food. Flaxseed meal, which has a taste and consistency similar to ground nuts, is an excellent permanent addition to the diet. It's high in all kinds of vitamins and nutrients, and is very beneficial to every system in the body. Flax is high in fiber so start out slow and work up to 2 tablespoons a day. Add it to your morning cereal or stir it into a glass of juice for a nutritious drink.
Constipation
Posted by Christine (Doncaster, Yorkshire) on 08/30/2009
★★★★★
I have suffered constipation for years, not anymore. I take flax seeds every night so does my friend since I recommended them to her, about 3tbls swollowed down with plenty of water.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Lou (Tyler, Tx) on 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.
