Synonyms: Purging Flax, Fairy flax

Order: Linaceae

Description: This is a small native annual British and European plant which grows in meadows and pastures. The small leaves are opposite, the lower ones obovate and the upper ones lanceolate, with entire margins. The white flowers are small, with five pointed petals and serrate sepals arranged in a loose panicle.

Parts used: aerial parts

Collection: during flowering in July.

Constituents: volatile oil, bitter substance (linin), resin, tannin

Actions: laxative, diuretic, emetic, antirheumatic

Indications: constipation, antirheumatic, diuretic

Therapeutics and Pharmacology: Linum is a potent laxative, emetic in large doses. It has been used in the treatment of muscular rheumatism, liver complaints and catarrhal conditions.

Combinations: Linum should be combined with carminative herbs to prevent griping.

Caution: Large quantities can cause fatal poisoning.

Preparation and Dosage:

Regulatory Status: GSL

Liquid Extract: 2-4ml

Additional Comments: An infusion of this herb was a traditional folk remedy for rheumatism and liver complaints, largely because its strong laxative action helps rid the body of toxins. Gerard favoured it as a purgative.

Grieve, M. 1931 A Modern Herbal, (ed. C.F. Leyel 1985), London.

Lust, J. 1990 The Herb Book, Bantam, London.

Ody, P. 1993 The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal, Dorling Kindersley, London.

Weiss, R.F. 1991 Herbal Medicine, Beaconsfield Arcanum, Beaconsfield.

Wren, R.C. 1988 Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations, C.W.Daniel, Saffron Walden.

Back to top

Contact: [email protected] Please complete the 'Subject' heading or your email will be assumed to be spam and automatically deleted. Before you contact me, I'd be grateful if you would please check to see if this website has the answer to your question (search box at the top of the homepage) - I have time to answer only a few of the many emails that arrive in my inbox every day. See also the statement below:

For your safety I am prohibited from giving specific medical advice to individuals over the internet or telephone so please do not waste your time or mine by emailing or calling me with detailed information about your health problems - I can only undertake face-to-face consultations for what should be obvious reasons. Diagnoses cannot be made remotely, and I am unable to offer any advice or treatment until I am completely satisfied that I know what I'm dealing with!  The herb profiles and treatment suggestions on this website will help enable you to choose which herbs might be appropriate for minor ailments. For more serious or chronic conditions you should seek professional advice. This is particularly important if you are taking medication from your doctor or pharmacist, as some herbs can interact adversely with other drugs. If you would like to have a consultation with a medical herbalist then you should click here  then scroll to 'Professional Organisations' at the bottom of the page to find a qualified practitioner in your area.

Christine Haughton, MA MNIMH MCPP FRSPH

Wold Farm, West Heslerton, Malton, North Yorkshire YO17 8RY, UK

Last updated 27th November 2014     ©Purple Sage Botanicals