Linseed Tea for IBS

Nutrition + Daily Self-care

Soothe an irritable & inflamed bowel with this nourishing, omega rich, tea.

“Drinking 1-2 cups a day of linseed tea helps rehydrate the colon, prevents constipation, soothes digestive irritation and helps calm the mind.”

I recommend Linseed tea to all my patients that suffer with inflammatory bowel conditions, including: IBS, Crohn’s Disease & Ulcerative Colitis. Particularly when symptoms are born from emotional “dis-ease”. But this simple, natural remedy also has many other benefits and can help with:

• Promoting breast health
• Reducing hot flushes
• Supporting prostate health
• Providing cardiovascular support
• Supporting healthy blood glucose metabolism
• Providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support

How does it work?

Linseed tea contains lots of soluble fibre, which supports digestion. This tea has a thick gel-like consistency and a nutty taste. It contains omega 6 and omega 3 essential fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help to keep cells flexible and fluid.

This fatty acid is found in higher concentrations plants and anilmals from colder climates. Therefore linseeds grown in cooler climates will also contain higher concentrations of omega 3 than those grown in more temperate environments.

Linseeds are also rich in lignans, which certain gut bacteria can convert to phyto-oestrogens. Lignans can help to provide oestrogenic support when oestrogen levels are low, making up for some of the deficiency.

They can also offer support when oestrogen levels become too high. In this case, lignans attach to the oestrogen receptors, which reduces the activity of the body’s natural oestrogen hormones and blocks their effect in certain tissues. This is why they are so beneficial for women going through hormonal transitions, for example, the menopause, fertility treatment or cancer treatment.

Soaked Flaxseeds

Doctors in Sheffield seem to be recommending this Linseed Tea for IBS as a natural remedy for chronic sufferers of bowel problems, hooray! However, they are omitting one vital element – soaking the seeds! Without soaking, the seeds may get lodged in the bowel and not pass freely causing cramps in the large colon and have no impact whatsoever on your bowel movement.

Your bowel is a direct reflection of your emotional state. We often hold on to “crap” when we are unable to let go of emotional burdens, in particular, grief. In Chinese medicine, this emotion is directly related to the Lungs and Large Intestine, which is why we may experience constipation, skin problems, bloating and low appetite following a time of loss. Start the process of letting go by assisting your body through this time by including soaked flaxseeds into your daily routine. Allow your body to learn to let go, physically and emotionally!

Recipe

In a suitable pan add the linseed to the water. Bring tea to just under the boil and then switch off heat

Cover pan and leave linseed to soak for 12 hours or over night if preferred.

After soaking bring the linseed tea back to just under the boil and then simmer gently for 15-20 minutes

Serve with or without seeds (it’s up to you but I generally sieve them out). If the consistency is too thick just mix in some hot water.
2 tbsp linseed
1 litre water
This tea may be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days.

When heating the tea from cold, it will have a jelly-like consistency which will need to be thinned down with hot water to your desired consistency.