The flax fruit is a spherical box with 10 seeds. Seeds are flattened, oblong, smooth, shiny. Seed flax blooms from June to August. Fruits from the end of July (Fig. 43).
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In wild flax, the seeded form is not known in the wild. Widely cultivated in the northern and middle belt of the European part of the former USSR and Siberia.
The seeds ("flaxseed") and linseed oil are used in industry.
Chemical composition and properties of flax
The properties of flax have been studied by phytotherapy experts. Seeds contain fatty oil (up to 48%), protein (18.33%), vitamin A, carbohydrates (12.26%), organic acids, enzymes, mucus (up to 12%), glycoside linamarin.
The properties of flax are also used in folk medicine due to the useful trace elements that are contained in the plant.
The effects and uses of flax
The therapeutic activity of flax seed is due to the presence of mucilage and linamarin glycoside. Properties of flax, namely linamarin is biologically very active and has an effect on various systems and organs: it regulates secretory and motor functions of the intestine, large doses cause general restlessness and salivation. The mucilaginous substances have an enveloping anti-inflammatory and mild laxative effect and are used internally in inflammatory processes of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract; in colitis in enemas; in addition, in inflammatory processes of the bladder and kidneys.
Application of flax externally - in the form of compresses and psoluks psolzuyut at boils and various skin diseases.
In France, the use of flax is recommended for bronchitis, pleurisy, diarrhea. Flax seed powder is used for burns and skin diseases (20 g of powder mixed with water, boiled and applied to burned skin surfaces in the form of compresses). The properties of flax have a bactericidal effect. Flax seed oil is used as a good wound healer in dressing various wounds.
The oil is used for burns and for the preparation of ointments and emulsions. The use of flax in the form of decoction from the seeds is recommended for food poisoning, exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers. The enveloping effect of the decoction is based on the fact that mucus and flax seed oil adhere to the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, enveloping it and forming a thin protective layer; this relieves inflammation and painful symptoms. Seed flax (seed and oil) was included in the State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR in 1961.
In domestic folk medicine, the properties of flax, namely flaxseed is widely used for a variety of diseases both internally and externally. Decoction of seeds is used for cystitis, bladder stones, coughs, bronchitis, chronic stomach catarrh, sore throats in the form of gargle, and for better maturation of boils - in the form of ointment. Also, the use of flax in the form of decoction is recommended for sphincters for gynecological diseases and for pain and tenesms in dysentery. Flaxseed oil is used as an anthelmintic and for constipation. In Armenia, flaxseed oil is used for lung, intestinal and kidney diseases.
In Poland, the use of flax seeds is also recommended for gastrointestinal diseases and as a wound-healing agent.
Seed flax seeds are used by us as an anti-inflammatory, enveloping and prolonging the effect of other plants means - for gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers and colitis..
