The efficacy and function of flax

Flax is a kind of traditional Chinese medicinal material with very wide functions. We can use flax in many places. Flax also plays a very important role in the treatment and relief of many diseases. Now let us learn about flax.

[Other names] Cyanum (Illustrated Classic of Materia Medica), sesame rice (Southern Yunnan Materia Medica), Shanxi sesame (Illustrated Catalogue of Plant Names and Realities), mountain sesame, sesame (Chinese Medicinal Plant Directory), sesame (Common Folk Herbs in Kunming).

[Source] The roots, stems and leaves of flax , a plant of the Linaceae family.

[Original form] Annual herb. Height 25 to 90 cm or more. The stem is erect, slightly woody at the base and has few branches. Leaves are alternate; sessile or nearly sessile; leaf blades are linear or linear-lanceolate, 1.8-3.2 cm long, 2-5 mm wide, entire, and usually 3-veined. Flowers are numerous, growing at the top of branches and in the upper leaf axils; one flower grows in each leaf axil, with a diameter of about 1.5 cm; pedicels are 1.8-3 cm long; sepals are 5, green, ovate or ovate-elliptic, about 3/4 of the length of the corolla; petals are 5, blue-white or white, obovate or broadly obovate, 7-10 mm long, nearly rounded at the apex, slightly concave, with slightly wavy notches on the edges; stamens are 5, anthers are linear, and there are 5 reduced stamens; pistil is 1, ovary is elliptic-ovate, 5-chambered, styles are 5, linear, separate, and stigma capitate. The capsule is spherical or slightly flat, about 8 mm long, with a pointed apex that cracks when ripe. The seeds are ovate or elliptic-ovate, flat, and about 6 mm long. Flowering period is from June to July. Fruiting period is from July to September.

【Habitat distribution】 Cultivated in most parts of the country.

[Chemical composition] The stems and leaves contain orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, isovitexin and other carbon-bonded flavonoids. Linamarin is found in all parts of the plant, with the highest content in the flowers after fertilization, followed by the stems, fruits, roots, seed skins, etc. The content in leaves is very low. The content in immature plants is much higher than that in mature ones, and it can be destroyed by heating. Hydrolysis produces hydrocyanic acid, glucose and acetone.

[Pharmacological action] See the entry for "flaxseed".

【Properties and flavors】 ① "Southern Yunnan Materia Medica": "It tastes sweet and spicy, is neutral in nature, and is non-toxic."

【Functions and indications】 Root: soothes the liver, replenishes deficiency, and promotes blood circulation. Treat chronic hepatitis, orchitis, bruises and sprains; stems and leaves: treat liver wind headache, knife wound bleeding.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral administration: decocted the root into water, 0.5-1 liang. For external use: mash or grind into powder for application.

[Additional prescription] ① Treating injuries from falls: add flax root and Cyperus rotundus or Asarum, mash them together and apply externally. (Jiangxi "Handbook of Herbs")

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Compendium of Materia Medica": Flax seeds come from Weishengjun, Yanzhou. The seedlings and leaves are green, the flowers are white, and they are eaten in early August.

Through the introduction of this article, we can learn some relevant knowledge about flax. Whether from the perspective of food health or traditional Chinese medicine, the role of flax cannot be underestimated.