Kataan (Linum usitatissimum Linn.)

Kataan (Linum usitatissimum Linn.)

Herb's Description

It is an annual herb and one of the most ancient crops native of Egypt. It is also cultivated in India and many part of the world as an oil seed plant and fibre and is best adapted to fertile, fine textured clay soil. These are smooth, shiny and dark brown in colour with mucilaginous, oily and with slightly bitter taste. It was valued in ancient and early modern times both as food and medicine. It has been used in Unani medicine and other Traditional systems of medicine from time immemorial. The medicinal uses of flax seed is mentioned in the works of Hippocrates and Dioscorides as well as in the books of medieval era. The plant has shown diverse pharmacological and biological activities.

Primary Characteristics

Unani Name (s)

Lisfermoon, Lifertus

Arabic Name (s)

Bazr-ul- kataan, Buzruk, Bazen and Kataan

Urdu Name(s)

Alsi, kataan

Persian Name(s)

Tukhm-e- kataan

English Name(s)

Common Flax, Linseed, Flax, Blaebows, Flix and Lint Bells

Scientific Name

(Linum usitatissimum Linn.)

Temperament of the Drug

(Hot 1° and Dry 1°)

Parts Used

Seeds, Leaves, Barks, Oil and Flowers

Pharmacological Actions of Tukhm-e- Kataan seeds of Linum usitatissimum Linn.

The pharmacological actions of seeds of Linum usitatissimum Linn. (Tukhm-e-kataan) are Munaffis-e- balgham, Mukhrij-e- balgham (Phlegm expectorant), Muhallil-e- waram (Anti-inflammatory), Musakkin-e- alam (Analgesic), Munaqqi-e- sadr (Chest cleanser), Mufattit-e- hisaat (Lithotriptic), Mukhrij-e- hisaat (Calculus removing agent), Naafe’-e- ziabeetus (Anti- diabetic), Muallid-e- mani (Spermatogenic), Mughalliz-e- mani (Inspissant to semen), Muqawwi-e- bah (Aphrodisiac), Mulattif (Demulscent), Mudirr-e- baul (Diuretic), Muqee (Emetic), Mo’arriq (Diaphoretic), Mudirr-e- haiz (Emmenogogue), Mudirr-e- labn (Galactogogue), Qaabiz (Biryan kiya hua/ roasted) (Astringent), Mufatteh-e- sudad-e- amaá (Deobstruent of intestine), Muqawwi-e- jigar (Hepatoprotective), Mulayyin (Laxative), Habis-e- dam (Biryan kiya hua/ roasted) (Styptic/ Haemostatic), Muqawwi-e- a’am (General tonic), Munzij (Concoctive), Jaali (Detergent), Mufajjir-e- auraam (Resolvent) and Mujaffif (Dessicant).

Its dried ripe seeds are demulcent, while roasted seeds are astringent.

Pharmacological Actions of Oil of the seeds of Linum usitatissimum Linn. (Tukhm-e- Kataan)

Musakkin (Analgesic), Daafa’-e- safra (Anti-bilious), Musaffi-e- khoon (Blood Purifier), Detersive and Mufajjir-e- auraam (Resolvent).

Pharmacological Actions of Flower of Linum usitatissimum Linn. (Kataan)

Muqawwi-e- dimaagh (Brain tonic) and Muqawwi-e- qalb (Cardiac tonic)

Medicinal Uses

Various medicinal and therapeutic uses of seeds of Linum usitatissimum Linn. are Waram-e- urooq-e- khashna (Bronchiolitis), Balghami khansi (Bronchial asthama), Zeeq-un- nafas (Dyspnoea), Aateshak (Gonorrhoea), Khansi (Cough), Sang-e- gurdah wa masaanah (Renal and vesical calculus), Nafs-ud- dam (Haemoptysis), Waram-e- jigar (Hepatitis), Dard (Pain), Amraaz-e- kuliya (Kidney diseases), Zo’f-e- aam (General weakness), Dard wa surkhi-e- ain (Pain and redness in eyes), Qooba (Ringworm), Kalaf (Melasma), Sha’fa (Alopecia), Auraam-e- zahira wa batinah (Inflammation of external and internal organs), Basoor-e- labaniya (Acne vulgaris), Qarha-e- Reham (Uterine ulcer), Ikhtenaq-ur- Reham (Hysteria), Qurooh-e- Ama’a (Intestinal ulcers), Qurooh-e- gurdah wa masanah (Ulcers of kidney and urinary bladder), Niqras (Gout), Irqun nasa (Sciatica), Zat-ul- janab (Pleurisy), Sozish-e- halaq (Throat irritation), Waja-ul- mafaasil (Arthritis), Waram-e- Tihaal (Inflammation of the spleen), Waram-e- shoáb-e-muzmin (Bronchitis), Zaat-ur- ruya (Pneumonia) Spermatorrhoea, Diarrhoea and Waram-e- ghilaaf-e- qalb (Pericarditis).

Compound Preparations

Katan (Linum usitatissimum Linn.) is used in the preparations like: