Talk:Atasi
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Atasi |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Linum usitatissimum L. |
| Family | Linaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Linum usitatissimum L., popularly known as Atasi (Alsi), is an erect annual herb, 0.6-1.2 m high, extensively cultivated throughout the plains of India up to an altitude of 800 m. The dried, ripe seeds are the part used medicinally.[1] In Ayurveda it is described both as a food grain (Shamidhanya) and as a source of Sthavara Sneha (plant-origin lipids), and it is widely used in external applications such as Upanaha and Sweda. It is a commonly used medicinal plant.
English name
Flax, Flaxseed, Linseed
Therapeutic Use
Krimiroga (worm infestation), Kushtha (diseases of skin), Prameha (obstinate urinary disorders including diabetes mellitus), Shiroroga (diseases of head)[1]
Other Varieties
- L. usitatissimum var. stenophyllum (Boiss.) Rech.f.
- L. usitatissimum var. usitatissimum
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Atasi, Uma, Picchila, Devi, Medagandha, Madotkata, Kshuma, Hemavati, Masruna
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Sweet (madhura), Bitter (tikta) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Heavy (guru), Unctuous (snigdha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify vata, pitta and kapha |
| 6 | Extra ordinary effect (prabhava) | -- |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/34 | Shamidhanya Varga |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/292 | Krutanna Varga |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 13/10 | Sthavara Sneha Yoni (Vegetable origin of lipids) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 14/36 | Dravya for Upanaha Sweda |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Nidana Sthana 5/6 | Nidana of Kustha |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 6/26 | Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/34 | Garbhasya pratimasik karma |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/47 | Jatamatra balak paricharya |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/61 | Kshirajanan karma |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 11/11 | Saptala Shankhini Yoga |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/141 | Svedan in Kaphaj Gulma |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/20 | Pathya diet in Kaphaj Prameha |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/176 | As an Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/84 | Used for mridu svedana |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/51 | As an ingredient of Tiladi upanaha for Shophapaka |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/53 | Used for Pakvasopha prabheda |
Dose
3-6 gm of the drug in the powder form.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Sarshapadi Taila
Constituents
Fixed oil, mucilage and protein.[1]
Phytoconstituents
| Sr.no. | Class | Major compounds / Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fixed oil (fatty acids) | α-Linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3) is the major fatty acid (39.00–60.42 % of the oil), followed by oleic, linoleic, palmitic and stearic acids. Flaxseed is one of the richest plant sources of ALA.[2] |
| 2 | Lignans | Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is the major lignan. After ingestion it is converted in the colon into the mammalian lignans enterodiol and enterolactone.[3] |
| 3 | Cyanogenic glycosides and other anti-nutritive compounds | Linustatin, neolinustatin, linamarin and lotaustralin (cyanogenic glycosides); also linatine, phytic acid and protease inhibitors. Cyanogenic glycosides can release hydrogen cyanide on hydrolysis, so raw seed intake and processing need care.[4] |
Therapeutic Efficacy: Scientific Evidence
The studies below were carried out on whole or ground flaxseed, flaxseed oil or lignan preparations, which are not identical to classical Ayurvedic preparations of Atasi. They are given to support the traditional uses and should be read as supportive evidence only.
Lipid-lowering effect
A meta-analysis of 28 randomized trials found that flaxseed interventions reduced total and LDL cholesterol (by 0.10 and 0.08 mmol/L, respectively). The reductions were significant with whole flaxseed and lignan supplements but not with flaxseed oil, and no significant change was seen in HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. The effect depended on the type of intervention, sex and the initial lipid profile.[5]
Effect on blood pressure
A systematic review and meta-analysis (11 studies, 14 trials) reported that flaxseed supplementation lowered systolic blood pressure by 1.77 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.58 mm Hg. The authors concluded that flaxseed may lower blood pressure slightly, with a greater effect on diastolic pressure when whole seed was taken for 12 weeks or more.[6]
Glycemic control (Prameha)
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomized, placebo-controlled trials (30 treatment arms) found that flaxseed supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in blood glucose (weighted mean difference −2.94 mg/dL) and insulin levels, whereas no significant effect on HbA1c was found. The benefit was seen only with whole flaxseed and not with flaxseed oil or lignan extract.[7]
Constipation and bowel function
In a single-blinded randomized controlled trial, 53 constipated patients with type 2 diabetes received 10 g of flaxseed in cookies twice daily or placebo cookies for 12 weeks. Compared with placebo, the flaxseed group showed significantly greater improvement in constipation symptom scores, and also in body weight, BMI, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.[8]
Skin condition (Kushtha)
In a 12-week study in healthy volunteers with sensitive skin, daily supplementation with flaxseed oil (compared with safflower seed oil) significantly decreased skin sensitivity (after nicotinate irritation), transepidermal water loss, roughness and scaling, and increased smoothness and hydration. The study was done on sensitive skin and not on Kushtha as described in Ayurveda.[9]
Research gaps
Clinical studies on the other Ayurvedic indications listed by the API (Krimiroga and Shiroroga) are not included here. Further well-designed trials using classical Atasi preparations are needed.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I, Monograph 12 (Atasi): 23-24
- ↑ Goyal, A.; Sharma, V.; Upadhyay, N.; Gill, S.; Sihag, M. (2014). "Flax and flaxseed oil: an ancient medicine & modern functional food". Journal of Food Science and Technology. 51 (9): 1633–1653.
- ↑ Touré, A.; Xueming, X. (2010). "Flaxseed lignans: source, biosynthesis, metabolism, antioxidant activity, bio-active components, and health benefits". Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 9: 261–269.
- ↑ Dzuvor, C. K. O.; Taylor, J. T.; Acquah, C.; Pan, S.; Agyei, D. (2018). "Bioprocessing of functional ingredients from flaxseed". Molecules. 23 (10): 2444.
- ↑ Pan, A.; Yu, D.; Demark-Wahnefried, W.; Franco, O. H.; Lin, X. (2009). "Meta-analysis of the effects of flaxseed interventions on blood lipids". American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 90 (2): 288–297.
- ↑ Khalesi, S.; Irwin, C.; Schubert, M. (2015). "Flaxseed consumption may reduce blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials". Journal of Nutrition. 145 (4): 758–765.
- ↑ Mohammadi-Sartang, M.; Sohrabi, Z.; Barati-Boldaji, R.; Raeisi-Dehkordi, H.; Mazloom, Z. (2018). "Flaxseed supplementation on glucose control and insulin sensitivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 randomized, placebo-controlled trials". Nutrition Reviews. 76 (2): 125–139.
- ↑ Soltanian, N.; Janghorbani, M. (2018). "A randomized trial of the effects of flaxseed to manage constipation, weight, glycemia, and lipids in constipated patients with type 2 diabetes". Nutrition & Metabolism. 15: 36.
- ↑ Neukam, K.; De Spirt, S.; Stahl, W.; Bejot, M.; Maurette, J. M.; Tronnier, H.; Heinrich, U. (2011). "Supplementation of flaxseed oil diminishes skin sensitivity and improves skin barrier function and condition". Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 24 (2): 67–74.