Flaxseed Oil (Ayurvedic Medicine): Uses, side effects, and more

Flaxseeds, also known as Linum usitatissimum L, are plant-based essential oil seeds that have a wide range of health benefits. They are enriched with micro and macro nutrients like fibre, carbs, protein, minerals, and essential fatty acids, which can help decrease cholesterol and lessen your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Read ahead to know more about Flaxseed Oil (FO) in context of an Ayurvedic medicine.

What is Flaxseed?

Flaxseed is an organic food that is full of fibre, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, mucilage (3-10%), fatty oil (30-40%), and glycosides. It is high in protein and aids in muscle growth.

It benefits the cardiovascular system, nerves, joints, brain, skin, and reproductive system. It also helps in preventing hair loss, stimulating hair growth, decreasing bad cholesterol, and controlling blood sugar levels.

What is Flaxseed Oil?

Flaxseed Oil, also known as Flax Oil, is a colourless to yellowish oil extracted from the ground Flaxseeds by cold pressing and occasionally by solvent extraction. FO has ALA (α-linolenic acid), which is converted by your body into omega-3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It contains polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which cannot be made by the body but are essential for human health. 

Potential properties of Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed Oil may have the following properties.

• It might possess antioxidant properties

• It might be anti-inflammatory

• It might be a diuretic

• It may help enhance bone health

• It might be an antifungal agent

Health benefits of Flaxseed Oil

FO has a variety of nutritional elements that may offer several health benefits. Some of the most common FO health benefits may include the following.

1. May help in weight loss

Flaxseed Oil lubricates the colon and acts as a natural laxative, allowing things to pass more smoothly through the digestive tract. Consuming FO helps control hunger. It also helps your body cleanse and get rid of food and waste more efficiently and helps you shed those excess pounds. Hence, incorporating FO into your diet can provide extra advantages in addition to weight loss.

2. Controls cholesterol levels

The alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) present in Flaxseed Oil may help lower triglycerides. It may reduce the levels of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), or bad cholesterol, in the liver. Flaxseed includes sterols as well. Phytosterols have a similar structure to cholesterol, but they help limit cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Having phytosterols may therefore aid in the reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or "bad" cholesterol levels in the body.

3. Helps prevent cancer

According to research, the omega-3 fatty acids found in FO may help inhibit the formation of various types of cancer cells, including breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. It also includes lignans, which are antioxidants that help slow tumour development by blocking enzymes involved in hormone metabolism and preventing the formation of new blood vessels. Lignans are a kind of phytoestrogen, which is a plant-based compound with estrogenic properties.

4. Aids in wound healing

FO is high in essential fatty acids. These components may modulate prostaglandin formation, thereby speeding up wound healing.

5. Improves cardiovascular health

The alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, which is found in Flaxseed Oil, may reduce the risk of heart disease through a variety of biochemical mechanisms. It may help manage platelet function, vascular health, inflammation, and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). Furthermore, FO protects against heart attacks and circulatory problems. Consuming FO on a regular basis lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease. It reduces blood pressure, keeps total cholesterol levels in check, improves blood vessel health, and regulates the heartbeat.

6. Promotes healthy hair and nail health

FO may be beneficial for your hair and nail health. It may benefit you with shinier hair and better hair growth with scalp health. Consuming FO on a regular basis may help reduce the brittleness, damage, splitting of hair, and cracking in nails.

7. Alleviates constipation

One of the most common applications for FO is to ease constipation symptoms. It helps smooth and normal bowel movements by functioning as a lubricant in the colon. Because of its high fibre content, the oil supports good digestion and provides relief from constipation-related discomfort. 

8. Benefits your skin

Flaxseed Oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, linolenic acids, gamma-linolenic acid, and alpha-linolenic acid. These compounds are necessary for your skin but typically are lacking in your diet. A healthy diet of FO may help you correct these inadequacies. The fatty acids present in FO work from within to keep your skin moisturised and nourished. 

It decreases the wrinkles that appear and other indications of ageing by improving the moisture levels in the skin. It might be suitable for all skin types, including oily, dry, and normal. FO may also help with the recovery of psoriasis and sunburns.

9. Maintains hormonal balance

The lignans, matairesinol, secoisolariciresinol, and pinoresinol, which are high in Flaxseed Oil, have a tremendous effect on the body's hormonal balance. They help many postmenopausal women work efficiently and manage oestrogen variations in their bodies.

10. May reduce the inflammatory response

One of the most significant advantages of FO includes its ability to lessen the inflammatory response associated with ailments such as lupus, gout, and arthritis. It also decreases inflammation induced by these pre-existing disorders in the kidney, skin, and joints. FO advantages include enhanced iodine absorption, which allows you to minimise joint or body pain that is caused by inflammation.

Side effects of Flaxseed Oil

The severity of the side effects is influenced by a variety of factors, including the medication you are taking, your present overall health, and so on. The following are some of the most prevalent negative effects of Flaxseed Oil.

• Diarrhoea

• Easy bruising

• Diminished blood clotting ability

• Bloody stool or vomit

• Extreme headaches

• Numbness in a limb or arm

• Wheezing

• Difficulty breathing

• Hives, itching, and rashes

• Swelling in various body parts

To avoid any such Flaxseed Oil side effects, consult with your doctor before consuming it in any form.

Also read: best family health insurance policies

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a section on common questions and answers related to Flaxseed Oil Ayurvedic Medicines.

What are the side effects of using Flaxseed Oil?

Although FO may be beneficial to you, there may be side effects if you consume more than the recommended dosage. The adverse effects may include diarrhoea, bruising, bloody stools or vomit, extreme headaches, numbness in a limb or arm, wheezing, difficulty breathing, hives, itching, and rashes. If you encounter any of these, immediately discontinue consuming Flaxseed Oil and consult with your doctor.

What are the benefits of Flaxseed Oil according to Ayurveda?

FO is known as Medhya, which means brain booster. Since it includes Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids, it may help the human brain work better. Consequently, FO can aid in the treatment of anxiety, depression, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and other mental health issues

Sources:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152533/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31992372/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28635182/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7690987/#:~:text=At%2030%25%20of%20the%20diet,67%2C%20and%2023%2C%20respectively.&text=Flaxseed%20in%20doses%20of%2027.8,levels%20of%20TG%20in%20rats.

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3800856/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6699425/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6630319

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21088453/

 Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions. Flaxseed Oil is also written as FO in this article.

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