Abstract

AYURVEDIC NUTRITIONAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, THERAPEUTIC AND PHARMACOLOGICAL OVERVIEW ON ATASI (LINUM USITATISSIMUM LINN.)

Dr. T. A. Pansare, Dr. Pooja Panchaware*, Dr. Ashwini Makadi, Dr. Shreya Jankar, Dr. Divya Verma

Abstract

Atasi (Linum usitatissimum Linn) is a most useful herb described in Ayurveda. The name “Atasi” (Atatisatatamgachhati) means the plant which is useful to prevent all vata vikara (Vataja disorders). It belongs to family Linaceae is one of the most important medicinal plants traditionally used for various health as well as nutritional purposes. In Ayurveda this drug are mentioned in “Aharavarga” and “Tailvarga” due to its lots of nutritional value. It is commonly known as flax when grown for the fiber extracted from the stem and as linseed or oilseed flax when grown for the oil extracted from the seed. It is one of the annual herbaceous plant growing up to 60- 120 cm of height. Atasi plant has been a source of food, feed, fiber, and medicine. Linseed oil rejuvenate body mainly due to its high content in omega-3 alpha linolenic acid (55-57%). The lignans contained in linseed have been shown to have beneficial properties against breast, colon, prostate and thyroid cancer, and in lowering relative risk factors for heart disease. Also Flax has various properties including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, insecticidal, analgesic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-tumor, wound healing and Feticidal activities. The present study aims to collect nearly all available information about Ayurvedic aspect Phyto-chemical constituents, nutritional value of Flax, as well as pharmacological properties and confirmed therapeutic usage of it.

Keywords: Atasi, Linum usitatissimum, Flaxseed, nutritional, pharmacology, therapeutic.