-- [ From: Kathryn P. Rosenthal * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --

A friend recently gave me a new copy of The American Botanical Council's
1998 book, "The Complete German Commission E Monographs Therapeutic
Guide to Herbal Medicines."  What a mouthful.  I have the 684 pg. book
on sort of semi-permanent loan.

The recent list discussion of flaxseed prompted me to look it up.  I've
deleted some stuff, but here are the main parts:

Composition of Drug:  Flaxseed consists of the dried, ripe seed of the
collective variations of Linum usitatissimum...as well as its
preparations in effective dosage.  The various cultivars of L.
usitatissimum...are equally acceptable for the indications listed in
this monograph.  The seeds contain:  fiber (hemicellulose, cellulose,
and lignin), fatty oil with 52-76% linolenic acid esters, albumin,
linustatin, and linamarin.

Uses:  Internal:  chronic constipation, for colons damaged by abuse of
laxatives, irritable colon, diverticulitis, as musilage for gastritis
and enteritis.  External:  as cataplasm for local inflammation.

Contraindications:  Ileus of any origin.

Side Effects:  If directions are observed, i.e., especially if the
concomitant administration of sufficient amounts of liquid (1:10) is
observed, there are no known side effects.

Interactions with Other Drugs:  As with any other mucilage, the
absorption of other drugs my be negatively affected.

Dosage:  Unless otherwise prescribed:  Internal:  1 tbs of whole or
"bruised" seed (not ground) with 150 ml of liquid 2-3 times daily.  Or,
2-3 tbs. of milled flaxseed for the preparation of flaxseed mucilage
(gruel).

Mode of Administration:  Internal:  as seed, as cracked or coursely
ground seed, in which only the cuticle and mucilage epidermis are
damaged; as flaxseed gruel and other galenical preparations.  External:
as flaxseed flour or flaxseed expellent.

Actions:  Laxative effects due to increase in volume and consequent
initiation of intestinal peristalsis due to stretching reflexes.
Protective effect on the mucosa because of coating action.

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Well, for what it's worth, if anyone wants me to look up any herbs (I
think they include grasses, some veg., etc.) that they think would be of
interest to the list, please let me know.

Trying to stay reasonably paleo,
Kath in Michigan