Flaxseed and phytotherapy

In recent years, flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) is widely used because of its alfa-linolenic acid rich oil, mucillage and lignan content. It is commonly used against constipation, diverticular diseases and intestinal problems. Its bulk-forming property and lubricant effect of oil come forward in this effect. Furthermore, the swelling property of mucilage and its repletion effect support the usage against weight loss. Rich lignan content, one of the other important group of drug, has phytoestrogenic effects. Depending on this effect, the drug affects gynecological diseases, cancers, reduces LDL and by the similar ways it has protective effects on cardiovascular diseases. Omega-3 fatty acids of seed contribute some of these effects. In the first part of this work, botanical and chemical properties has been introduced as well as biological effects of the drug were elaborated.In our country, flaxseed is basically provided from akthars and supermarkets. But there is no sufficient data on the quality of these samples. Thus the samples gathered from the market and to be informed if these samples have European Pharmacopeia (7.0) criters or not, we designed an Ankara scaled study. In order to use in the study, 16 flaxseed samples were purchased from akthars, supermarkets and etc. in different districts of Ankara. For these samples, from the analyses in the European Pharmacopeia (7.0) monograph, macroscopic properties, foreign matter, swelling index, loss on drying and total ash analyses are studied. According to loss on drying, total ash and foreign matter analyses, all of the samples confirm the limitations in the pharmacopeia. But according to seed dimensions, none of the samples correspond to pharmacopeia qualifications. Also in swelling index analyses, except one sample, none of the samples are pharmacopeia grade.In the case of committed analyses, the results indicate that 16 samples, purchased from akthars and supermarkets in Ankara, do not meet qualifications of the European Pharmacopeia (7.0).Key WordsSemen Lini, omega-3, flaxseed, phytotherapy, mucilage, constipation, phytoestrogen.