flax seed

Reported Doses

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

Special Note

[formulation clarification]

Info: may incl. whole, ground or flaxseed extract; flaxseed products contain soluble fiber, lignans w/ phytoestrogens; not to be confused w/ flaxseed oil, a unique component w/ 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 dz

[Insufficient Evidence]

Dose: 30 g PO qd

constipation

[Possibly Effective]

Dose: 3-25 g PO bid; Alt: 50 g/day PO in divided doses w/ 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 w/ 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 sx

[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

nonalcoholic fatty liver dz

[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 w/ 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