Natural Medical SolutionsFlaxseed is a plant used for food and health for a long time. Today, people take it as a supplement for the heart and brain. It contains a healthy fat called alpha linolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid).
What is flaxseed?
Flaxseed comes from a plant grown near the Middle East. People have used it for many years to make cloth and medicine. Today, it is sold as a powder or an oil.
What are the benefits of flaxseed?
Some studies look at how flaxseed affects health. Results are mixed and more research is needed.
One study suggests that a flaxseed powder mixed with water might help adults lose weight. Other forms like oil or extracts did not show this result. Some research looks at flaxseed oil for blood sugar in pregnant people. It is not clear if it helps other people with diabetes.
What are the side effects of flaxseed?
Never eat raw or unripe flaxseeds. They may contain harmful substances that can be toxic.
Taking high doses of flaxseed or its oil can cause stomach issues. You might feel bloated or full. It can also cause diarrhea.
Who should not take flaxseed?
Talk to your doctor before using flaxseed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. We do not know if it is safe for you or your baby.
The FDA does not approve these supplements before they are sold. This means the rules for safety are less strict than for drugs.
How much flaxseed do people take?
There is no standard dose for flaxseed. Some studies suggest that small amounts may be safe for up to 6 months. Talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
Does flaxseed interact with any medications?
NCCIH warns that some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. It does not name specific medicines for flaxseed. However, there are reasons to think it might affect drugs that thin your blood.
Always tell your doctor about any herbs you take. They can check if these products are safe with your current medicine.
Common questions about flaxseed and flaxseed oil
Can I eat raw flaxseeds?
Is flaxseed safe during pregnancy?
Does the FDA approve flaxseed supplements?
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Where this information comes from
Written from NCCIH, a public-domain resource from the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Information retrieved 2026-08-21.
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