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saatlein

flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)

Sections:

  • Entire Monograph
  • Reported Uses
  • Reported Doses
  • Cautions
  • Drug Interactions
  • Adverse Reactions
  • Synonyms
  • Other Info
  • Add to Interaction Check

Reported Doses

Safety/efficacy may not be established; reported doses may be derived from limited or potentially inadequate studies with variable regimens, multi-ingredient products, or where concentration of active ingredients may vary widely

Special Note

[formulation clarification]
Info: may include whole, ground or flaxseed extract; flaxseed products contain soluble fiber, lignans with phytoestrogens; not to be confused with flaxseed oil, a unique component with potentially different clinical properties

Effectiveness Ratings

[see Herb & Supplement Effectiveness Rating Definitions table]

BPH

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 300-600 mg extract PO qd

breast CA

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 25 g PO qd

cardiovascular disease

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 30 g PO qd

constipation

[Possibly Effective]
Dose: 3-25 g PO bid; Alt: 50 g/day PO in divided doses with meals

diabetes mellitus

[Possibly Effective]
Dose: 10-60 g PO qd; Alt: 600 mg extract PO tid

fatigue

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 20 g/day PO in divided doses with meals

HTN

[Possibly Effective]
Dose: 10-60 g PO qd

hypercholesterolemia

[Possibly Effective]
Dose: 30-50 g PO qd

mastalgia

[Possibly Effective]
Dose: 25 g PO qd

menopausal symptoms

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 40-90 g PO qd; Alt: 1000 mg extract PO qd

metabolic syndrome

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 550 mg extract PO tid; Alt: 30 g PO qd

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 30 g PO qd

obesity

[Possibly Effective]
Dose: 30 g PO qd; Alt: 1.28-2.56 g mucilage/200 mL water PO bid with meals

osteoarthritis

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: apply poultice compress topically qd x30min

pneumonitis, radiation-induced

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 40 g PO qd; Start: 1wk before XRT

polycystic ovary syndrome

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 30 g PO qd

prostate CA

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 30 g PO qd

rheumatoid arthritis

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 30 g PO qd

SLE nephritis

[Possibly Effective]
Dose: 15-45 g/day PO divided qd-tid

ulcerative colitis

[Insufficient Evidence]
Dose: 30 g/day PO divided qd-bid

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