Flax, Mountain
It is an annual, with a small, thready root, which sends up several
slender, smooth, straight stems, which rise to a height of 6 to
8 inches, and are sometimes branched towards the upper part. The
leaves are small, linear-oblong and obtuse, the lower ones opposite,
and the upper alternate. The flowers, 1/3 to 1/4 of an inch in diameter,
are white. The plant at first glance much resembles chickweed, being
glaucous and glabrous.
The whole herb is used mediinally, both fresh and dried, collected
in July, when in flower, in the wild state.
A green, bitter resin and a neutral, colourless, crystalline principle
of a persistently bitter taste, called Linin, to which the herb
owes its activity.
Modern Uses: This herb was highly extolled
by Gerard as a purgative. It operates chiefly as a gentle cathartic,
and is useful in all cases where a brisk purgative is required.
As a laxative, it is preferred to senna, though the action is very
similar. It is generally taken combined with a carminative, such
as peppermint.
The dried herb has been found very useful in muscular rheumatism
and catarrhal affections, the infusion of 1 oz. in a pint of boiling
water being taken in wineglassful doses. In liver complaints and
jaundice, it has been employed with benefit.
Other Names: Purging Flax. Dwarf Flax.
Fairy Flax. Mill Mountain.Mountain Flax is a pretty little herb,
which grows profusely in hilly pastures.
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