Linum usitatissimum
Plant · Linaceae
Linum usitatissimum is suited to sensitive individuals who react violently to otherwise innocuous substances. It is indicated in persons with pronounced respiratory and urinary irritability, particularly those prone to asthma, hay-fever, and urticaria on exposure to external irritants.
Key symptoms
- Intense irritation of skin and mucous membranes on contact with linseed
- Bronchial asthma with livid face and severe struggle for breath
- Urticaria covering entire body with smarting, stinging, burning
- Intense conjunctivitis with chemosis and complete closure of eye
- Burning dryness of nose with nasal passages completely blocked
- Tongue paralysed, drawn backward into throat; jaw clenched (trismus)
- Herpes eruption where poultice was applied
- Spasms with rhythmic head shaking; jaws clenched; brain clear throughout
Worse (aggravation)
- Contact with or proximity to linseed or linseed poultice
- Exposure to dust or steam of linseed
- Ingestion of linseed oil
Better (amelioration)
- Removal of the linseed poultice (respiratory symptoms subside)
Common Flax
The application of Linseed poultice has produced in sensitive subjects severe respiratory disturbances, as asthma, hives, etc. Its action in such cases is marked by intense irritation. It has been found to contain small quantity of Hydrocyanic acid, which may account for this intensity. The decoction is of service in inflammation of the urinary passages, cystitis, strangury, etc. Also in diseases of the intestinal tract. It has a place in the treatment of asthma, hay-fever and urticaria. Trismus and paralysis of the tongue.
Relationship
Compare: Linum Catharticum-Purging flax --(Similar respiratory symptoms, but also colic and diarrhœa).
Dose
Lower potencies.
Linum usitatissimum. Flax. (Source of Linseed or Flax-seed.) N. O. Linaceæ. Trituration and tincture of seed, or meal. Trituration and tincture of the oil. Tincture of freshly-made poultice.
Clinical
Asthma. Convulsions. Hay fever. Tongue, paralysis of. Trismus. Urticaria.
Characteristics
Linseed-tea and Linseed poultices are among the most innocent of domestic remedies; but occasionally Lin. us. has produced effects of the most violent kind. In H. W., xx. 316 I quoted the case of a woman in whom the application of a linseed poultice to an ulcer over the right shin-bone produced an attack of asthma which nearly proved fatal. It was not the first time this had happened to her, and she protested, but in vain, against the doctor's order. If a linseed poultice even came near her she felt constriction of the chest. The doctor who ordered the poultice, and reported the case, was speedily summoned to witness the worse attack of asthma he had ever seen. The patient was livid and struggling for breath. When the …
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
