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Flaxseed oil comes from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum). It is a good source of an essential omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
The alpha-linolenic acid and other chemicals in flaxseed oil seem to decrease swelling, which is why some people use it for conditions that involve inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Flaxseed oil is used for heart disease, high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Flaxseed oil has different effects than whole or ground flaxseed. See Flaxseed for more information.
- Bipolar disorder. Oral flaxseed oil does not seem to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder in children.
Login for details - Hyperlipidemia. Oral flaxseed oil does not seem to reduce cholesterol levels.
Login for details - Obesity. Oral flaxseed oil does not seem to improve weight loss.
Login for details - Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Oral flaxseed oil does not seem to improve symptoms of RA.
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- Atherosclerosis. Small clinical trials show that taking flaxseed oil has modest benefit on metabolic risk factors in patients with plaque in the coronary artery.
Login for details - Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Oral flaxseed oil has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Breast cancer. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil reduces the risk of breast cancer.
Login for details - Burns. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil improves wound healing and health in people with burns.
Login for details - Cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil reduces the risk of CVD.
Login for details - Carpal tunnel syndrome. It is unclear if topical flaxseed oil reduces carpal tunnel pain.
Login for details - Chronic kidney disease (CKD). Login for details
- Diabetes. Oral flaxseed oil may not improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, there may be some benefit in patients with gestational diabetes.
Login for details - Diabetic foot ulcers. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil improves the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
Login for details - Dry eye. Flaxseed oil, both orally and as an eye drop, has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Dry skin. There is conflicting evidence regarding the use of flaxseed oil for dry skin.
Login for details - Endometrial hyperplasia. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil reduces endometrial hyperplasia.
Login for details - Hypertension. Small studies suggest that flaxseed oil may modestly lower blood pressure in some patients.
Login for details - Mastalgia. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil is beneficial in patients with mastalgia.
Login for details - Metabolic syndrome. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil is beneficial in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Login for details - Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil is beneficial in patients with NAFLD.
Login for details - Parkinson disease. Oral flaxseed oil has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Physical performance. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil improves physical performance in older adults.
Login for details - Pneumonia. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil helps to prevent pneumonia.
Login for details - Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Small clinical studies suggest that oral flaxseed oil might help to improve some markers of PCOS.
Login for details - Prostate cancer. Oral flaxseed oil does not seem to be linked to prostate cancer risk.
Login for details - Ulcerative colitis. It is unclear if oral flaxseed oil is beneficial in patients with ulcerative colitis.
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When taken by mouth: Flaxseed oil is likely safe for most adults. Supplements containing 2 grams of flaxseed oil daily have been used safely for up to 6 months. Higher doses of up to 24 grams daily have also been used safely for up to 7 weeks. These larger doses can cause side effects such as loose stools and diarrhea. Allergic reactions are also possible.
When applied to the skin: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe when used short-term. Flaxseed oil has been used safely on the wrist for up to 4 weeks.
When applied into the eye: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe when applied into the eye short-term. Eye drops containing flaxseed oil have been used safely for up to 3 months. Redness and itching may occur in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe when taken by mouth in doses of up to 2 grams daily for up to 6 weeks during pregnancy. But using flaxseed oil during the second or third trimester has been linked with an increased risk of giving birth prematurely.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if flaxseed oil is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Flaxseed oil is possibly safe for children when taken by mouth, short-term. Flaxseed oil has been safely taken by mouth for up to 3 months by children about 7-8 years old.
Surgery: Flaxseed oil might increase the risk of bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using it at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Flaxseed oil might slow blood clotting. Taking flaxseed oil along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Flaxseed oil might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Flaxseed oil might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
There are no known interactions with foods.
Flaxseed oil has most often been used by adults in doses of 1-2 grams by mouth daily for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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