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Atasi

Linum usitatissimum L.

Atasi (Linum usitatissimum L.) is a plant drug, also called Ksuma, Uma and Alasi, 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 in other languages
Sanskritअतसी (atasī), Ksuma, Uma
Hindiअलसी (alasī), तीसी (tīsī)
EnglishLinseed
Tamilஆளி, Ali, Virai, ஆளிவிதை
MalayalamAgasi, Agastha, Cheru charm
TeluguAvisa
KannadaAgasebeeja, Agasi, Semeagare
MarathiAtshi
BengaliAtasi, Masina
GujaratiAlshi, Arasi
UrduAlsi, Katan
PunjabiAli
OriyaAtushi
AssameseTisi
KashmiriAlsi

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; Platts p.352: "تيسي तीसी tīsī [S. अतसी], s.f. Linseed; flax, Linum usitatissimum (syn. alsī)"; MMPND Sorting Linum, NEPALESE: Tisii; API Vol I, ATASĪ, Assamese: Tisi, Tusi; Platts p.76 and p.352 both derive the Hindi names from "[S. अतसी]", printed in Devanagari in the dictionary; API Vol I monograph title ATASĪ, botanical source Linum usitatissimum Linn; Platts p.76: "السی अलसी alsī [S. अतसी], s.f. Linseed, Linum usitatissimum (= tīsī): — alsī-kā tel, s.m. Linseed oil"; API Vol I, monograph ATASĪ (Linum usitatissimum Linn), Hindi: Alsi, Kashmiri: Alsi, Urdu: Alsi, Katan; Tamil Lexicon p.255: "ஆளிவிதை āḷi-vitai, n. ஆளி² +. Linseed, flaxseed, Linus usitatissimum", with a Patārttaguṇa 780 citation; the Lexicon's ஆளிவிரை (p.255) is cross-referred to it, and MMPND Sorting Linum gives TAMIL: Aliviraaii; Tamil Lexicon, University of Madras p.255: "ஆளி² āḷi, n. Linseed plant, s. sh., Linum usitatissimum; செடி வகை"; API Vol I, ATASĪ, Tamil: Ali, Virai. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2003 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.

  • 12Other clinical studies and reviews

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishLinseed
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
  • Preclinical studies propose that SDG lignans, converted to enterolactone/enterodiol by gut microbiota, may modulate 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?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Laxative and digestive (Bhedana): traditionally used as a bulk-forming laxative.
  • Skin and hair health (Tvachya, Keshya): traditionally used for skin and hair health.
  • Anti-inflammatory (Shothaghna): traditionally used for inflammation. Preclinical and clinical studies have reported reductions in inflammatory markers.
  • Cardiovascular health (Hridya): traditionally used for heart health. Clinical studies have reported reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally safe at recommended doses; 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

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

Optimal Timing: Ground seed is usually taken with meals (morning) when used as a bulk laxative. Oil with food for omega-3 supplementation. Mucilage soaked overnight, consumed morning for prebiotic/laxative effect.

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)

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Isabgol (psyllium), traditionally combined as a bulk laxative
  • 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 reviews12

  1. Shinde NV, Sahane NS, Bhosale SK and others. 2025. Golden Flaxseed (Linum Usitatissimum): Unveiling Its Botanical Marvels, Therapeutic Potentials, and Nanoscale ApplicationsZhongguo ying yong sheng li xue za zhi = Zhongguo yingyong shenglixue zazhi = Chinese journal of applied physiology. PMID 40628690 · doi:10.62958/j.cjap.2025.017
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Sirotkin AV. 2023. Influence of Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum) on Female ReproductionPlanta medica. PMID 36808094 · doi:10.1055/a-2013-2966
  6. Moyse J, Lecomte S, Marcou S and others. 2023. Overview and Management of the Most Common Eukaryotic Diseases of Flax (Linum usitatissimum)Plants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37570965 · doi:10.3390/plants12152811
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. Saleem MH, Ali S, Hussain S and others. 2020. Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.): A Potential Candidate for Phytoremediation? Biological and Economical Points of ViewPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 32294947 · doi:10.3390/plants9040496
  10. 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
  11. 2006. Flaxseed PMID 30000955
  12. León F, Rodríguez M, Cuevas M. 2003. Anaphylaxis to LinumAllergologia et immunopathologia. PMID 12573209 · doi:10.1016/s0301-0546(03)79163-0

Reference lists that include it

Flavonoids

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

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.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.