Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Atasi

Linum usitatissimum L.

Atasi (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Linaceae family. WHO monograph exists for Semen Lini (flaxseed); European Medicines Agency (EMA) monograph established; German Commission E approved for chronic constipation and irritable bowel.

Key facts
Botanical nameLinum usitatissimum L.
FamilyLinaceae
OrderMalpighiales
Pharmacopoeia statusWHO monograph exists for Semen Lini (flaxseed); European Medicines Agency (EMA) monograph established; German Commission E approved for chronic constipation and irritable bowel
Taxon identifiersGBIF 2873861 · Wikidata Q45108 · NCBI Taxonomy 4006

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAtasi
Latin/BotanicalLinum usitatissimum L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid, ~55% of seed oil)
  • Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG - phytoestrogen lignan)
  • Dietary fiber (both soluble mucilage and insoluble)
  • Cyclolinopeptides (cyclic peptides)
  • Flavonoids (herbacetin diglucoside)
  • Cyanogenic glycosides (linamarin, linustatin)

How does it work?

  • Cardioprotective effects via ALA omega-3 fatty acid-mediated reduction of inflammatory eicosanoids and improvement of lipid profile
  • Anti-cancer activity through SDG lignan conversion to enterolactone/enterodiol by gut microbiota, modulating estrogen receptor signaling
  • Anti-inflammatory mechanism via inhibition of NF-kB pathway and reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6)
  • Hypoglycemic effect through soluble fiber-mediated delayed glucose absorption and improved insulin sensitivity

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Laxative and digestive (Bhedana) - validated as bulk-forming laxative through mucilage fiber action; approved by German Commission E
  • Skin and hair health (Tvachya, Keshya) - supported by ALA omega-3 anti-inflammatory effects on skin conditions including eczema
  • Anti-inflammatory (Shothaghna) - validated through multiple preclinical and clinical studies showing reduction in inflammatory markers
  • Cardiovascular health (Hridya) - confirmed through clinical trials showing reduction in blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally safe at recommended doses (1-2 tablespoons/day); contains cyanogenic glycosides which are destroyed by cooking; raw flaxseed in large quantities may cause cyanide toxicity
  • May interact with blood-thinning medications, diabetes drugs, and hormonal therapies due to phytoestrogenic and anticoagulant effects; not recommended in high doses during pregnancy
  • Excessive consumption may cause gastrointestinal bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea; adequate water intake is necessary to prevent intestinal obstruction from mucilage

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Mucilage
  • Peptides
  • Flavonoids
  • Herbacetin
  • Glycosides
  • Alpha-linolenic acid
  • Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
  • Dietary fiber

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Beeja churna (seed powder), Taila (linseed oil), Capsule (oil-filled softgel), Tablet (seed meal), Mucilage preparation

Standard Dosage: 5-10g ground seed daily (in divided doses); 5-15ml oil daily; 1-2 softgel capsules (1000mg each); seed meal 10-20g

Bioavailability: ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) from flaxseed oil has good absorption (~96%) but limited conversion to EPA (5-10%) and DHA (<1%). SDG (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside) is converted by gut bacteria to enterolactone and enterodiol (mammalian lignans) — bioavailability depends on microbiome composition. Ground seed releases ALA and lignans much better than whole seeds (which may pass undigested). Mucilage (soluble fiber) slows gastric emptying and provides prebiotic effects.

Optimal Timing: Ground seed with meals (morning) for constipation and lipid management. Oil with food for omega-3 supplementation. Mucilage soaked overnight, consumed morning for prebiotic/laxative effect.

Standardized Extract: Seed oil: minimum 50% ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Lignan extract standardized to minimum 20% SDG (secoisolariciresinol diglucoside). Defatted flaxseed meal with minimum 2% SDG.

Shelf Life: 1 year (whole seeds); 1 week (ground seed, room temperature); 6 months (oil, sealed); 2 years (softgels with antioxidant); 2 years (lignan extract capsules)

Storage: Whole seeds: cool, dry place at room temperature. Oil: refrigerated after opening, amber glass or opaque containers, nitrogen-flushed headspace. Ground seed: refrigerate or freeze, use quickly.

Marker Compounds: Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, Linamarin (below safety threshold), Cyanogenic glycosides (HCN < 150mg/kg post-processing)

Extraction Methods

  • Cold pressing for oil (yield 35-45%)
  • Supercritical CO2 for ALA-enriched oil
  • Aqueous extraction for mucilage fraction
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (80:20) for lignan enrichment
  • Enzymatic hydrolysis for SDG extraction

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Isabgol (psyllium) for constipation and lipid management
  • With Ashwagandha for anti-inflammatory synergy
  • With Tila (sesame) for balanced omega fatty acid supplementation
  • With Haritaki for digestive regularity

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews10

  1. Stepień AE, Trojniak J, Tabarkiewicz J. 2025. Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Cancer Properties of FlaxseedInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 39940995 · doi:10.3390/ijms26031226
  2. Haseeb MT, Muhammad G, Hussain MA and others. 2024. Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) mucilage: A versatile stimuli-responsive functional biomaterial for pharmaceuticals and healthcareInternational journal of biological macromolecules. PMID 39154696 · doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.134817
  3. Al-Madhagy S, Ashmawy NS, Mamdouh A and others. 2023. A comprehensive review of the health benefits of flaxseed oil in relation to its chemical composition and comparison with other omega-3-rich oilsEuropean journal of medical research. PMID 37464425 · doi:10.1186/s40001-023-01203-6
  4. Sirotkin AV. 2023. Influence of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on Female ReproductionPlanta medica. PMID 36808094 · doi:10.1055/a-2013-2966
  5. Akter Y, Junaid M, Afrose SS and others. 2021. A Comprehensive Review on Linum usitatissimum Medicinal Plant: Its Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Ethnomedicinal UsesMini reviews in medicinal chemistry. PMID 33535948 · doi:10.2174/1389557521666210203153436
  6. Chhillar H, Chopra P, Ashfaq MA. 2021. Lignans from linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) and its allied species: Retrospect, introspect and prospectCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 32619358 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2020.1784840
  7. Shayan M, Kamalian S, Sahebkar A and others. 2020. Flaxseed for Health and Disease: Review of Clinical TrialsCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 32436825 · doi:10.2174/1386207323666200521121708
  8. Ansari R, Zarshenas MM, Dadbakhsh AH. 2019. A Review on Pharmacological and Clinical Aspects of Linum usitatissimum LCurrent drug discovery technologies. PMID 29779483 · doi:10.2174/1570163815666180521101136
  9. 2006. Flaxseed PMID 30000955
  10. León F, Rodríguez M, Cuevas M. 2003. Anaphylaxis to LinumAllergologia et immunopathologia. PMID 12573209 · doi:10.1016/s0301-0546(03)79163-0

Laboratory and animal studies2

  1. Merakeb MS, Bribi N, Ferhat R and others. 2025. Intestinal anti-inflammatory, histopathologic and anti-oxidative regulatory effects of total alkaloids extract from Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed) in vivoJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 40419207 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.120001
  2. Dmitriev AA, Krasnov GS, Rozhmina TA and others. 2019. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) response to non-optimal soil acidity and zinc deficiencyBMC plant biology. PMID 30813909 · doi:10.1186/s12870-019-1641-1

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

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