Charuchana ചെറുചണ
Genus: Linum
Botanical name: Linum usitatissimum
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
Sanskrit: Atasi
Hindi: Alsi
English: Flax plant, Linseed, Flax, Common flax, Flaxseed, Linseed
Malayalam: Charuchana
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Charuchana is an erect annual plant growing to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) tall, with slender stems. The leaves are glaucous green, slender lanceolate, 20–40 mm long and 3 mm broad. The flowers are pure pale blue, 15–25 mm diameter, with five petals; they can also be bright red. The fruit is a round, dry capsule 5–9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip, 4–7 mm long.
In Ayurveda, Charuchana is used internally in habitual constipation, functional disorders of the colon resulting from the misuse of laxatives and irritable colon, as a demulcent preparation in gastritis and enteritis. Externally, the powdered seeds or the press-cake are used as an emollient, in poultices for boils, carbuncles and other skin afflictions. Used in Soothing Body Lotion for dry skin.