Bontemps6
10-22-03, 10:46
I have a friend from Puerto Rico who passed this along to me...flax seed tea is commonly prescibed there by practitioners of folk medicine, and is sold in pharmacies for the usage described below.
Flaxseed tea is used in the treatment of renal calculi...it does not cure it by any means but eases, lubricates, and speeds the passage of the stones. When a handful of seeds are boiled in about a quart of water, allowed to cool, then strained, a slightly sweet, not-quite-slimy, liquid is produced. The texture takes some getting used to, but the taste is not bad. When taken PO, it imparts to some extent its slippery, slightly thickened characteristic nature to the urine and acts as a lubricant to push and slide the stone along its way; acting in a more physical than systemic fashion.
I have not tried this myself, but know several friends (or their spouses) who have, and all felt that, after sometimes days of trying to pass a stone, then taking the tea and having relief within a few hours, all felt that it was beneficial. Of course they may have managed just fine without it. Since flaxseed is a common ingredient found in breads, etc, in small quantities it should be fairly benign, and in cases where the doc recommends to go home and "strain your urine," it may well prove beneficial. ( All the usual disclaimers apply...try at own risk....research info for yourself...not responsible for poor judgement resulting in delayed care, etc.) But I keep it on hand, and besides putting in in my homemade bread and muffins, on occasion will share with friends to save them a trip to the health food store!
Should also emphasize that this is only intended in use for stones that have entered the ureter...of course in cases of significant blockage resulting in hydronephrosis, etc, a doc's close following is necessary.
Flaxseed tea is used in the treatment of renal calculi...it does not cure it by any means but eases, lubricates, and speeds the passage of the stones. When a handful of seeds are boiled in about a quart of water, allowed to cool, then strained, a slightly sweet, not-quite-slimy, liquid is produced. The texture takes some getting used to, but the taste is not bad. When taken PO, it imparts to some extent its slippery, slightly thickened characteristic nature to the urine and acts as a lubricant to push and slide the stone along its way; acting in a more physical than systemic fashion.
I have not tried this myself, but know several friends (or their spouses) who have, and all felt that, after sometimes days of trying to pass a stone, then taking the tea and having relief within a few hours, all felt that it was beneficial. Of course they may have managed just fine without it. Since flaxseed is a common ingredient found in breads, etc, in small quantities it should be fairly benign, and in cases where the doc recommends to go home and "strain your urine," it may well prove beneficial. ( All the usual disclaimers apply...try at own risk....research info for yourself...not responsible for poor judgement resulting in delayed care, etc.) But I keep it on hand, and besides putting in in my homemade bread and muffins, on occasion will share with friends to save them a trip to the health food store!
Should also emphasize that this is only intended in use for stones that have entered the ureter...of course in cases of significant blockage resulting in hydronephrosis, etc, a doc's close following is necessary.