What is the most important information I should know about flax?
Do not take flax internally without first talking to your doctor if you have a narrowing of the
esophagus or another
stomach area, an
intestinal obstruction, or other stomach or intestinal problems.
Since flax swells in the stomach, it may be dangerous if used by people with certain intestinal problems.
Do not take flax internally without first talking to your doctor if you have prostate problems
or difficulty with urination.
Flax has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks
and/or advantages of flax may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing
standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements
have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements
should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
What is flax?
The use of flax in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current
Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health
care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of
herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care
providers involved may be advantageous.
Flax is also known as Linum usitatissimum, flaxseed, linseed, lint bells, linum, and winterlien.
Flax has been used most commonly as a laxative. Flax has also been used to reduce cholesterol
levels, to slow prostate cancer growth before surgery, and topically for skin irritation.
Flax has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks
and/or advantages of flax may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing
standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements
have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements
should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Flax may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take flax?
Do not take flax internally without first talking to your doctor if you have a narrowing of the
esophagus or another stomach area, an intestinal obstruction, or other stomach or intestinal problems.
Since flax swells in the stomach, it may be dangerous if used by people with certain intestinal problems.
Do not take flax internally without first talking to your doctor if you have prostate problems
or difficulty with urination.
Before taking flax, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have
allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other
herbal/health supplements. Flax may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take flax without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or
could become pregnant. It is not known whether flax will harm an unborn baby.
Do not take flax without first talking to your doctor if you are
breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether flax will harm a nursing infant.
There is no information available regarding the use of flax by children. Do not give any
herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
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