• Flaxseed oil, derived from the flax plant, is rich with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy living and healing. Both polyunsaturated fatty acids, the omega-3s found in flaxseed oil help reduce inflammation in the body. Your doctor may recommend flaxseed oil for a diverse set of disorders.
  
  

Heart Disease

• In conjunction with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, the alpha-linolenic acid found in flaxseed oil can help cut down your risk of heart disease. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, alpha-linolenic acid cuts down your risk of heart attack by reducing plaque build-up in the arteries, cutting down on inflammation and promoting healthier blood vessels. Numerous studies also suggest there is a correlation between taking flaxseed oil and lower levels of cholesterol and blood pressure although results have been mixed, according to the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. However, more evidence is needed before the connection of flaxseed oil and lower cholesterol can be confirmed says the University of Maryland Medical Center.
  
  

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• According to the Mayo Clinic, some clinical trials have demonstrated that people with disorders like ADHD suffer from a lack of highly unsaturated fatty acids. In one trial, done by the Department of Pediatrics, CHU Ste-Justine, Montréal, Quebec and published in "Pediatrics and Child Health" in 2009, people who took flaxseed oil showed an improvement in the symptoms associated with the disorder. However, more evidence is required before flaxseed can be recommended for those with ADHD, says the Mayo Clinic.
  
  

Menopause

• Taking flaxseed oil may help cut down mild menopausal symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. In a clinical trial, women taking flaxseed oil experienced a reduction in hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause. However, this conclusion is still considered controversial, according to the Mayo Clinic, and more research is required.
  
  

Other Conditions

• Alpha-linolenic acid has been linked to helping men cut down on the risk of prostate cancer and reducing women with breast pain while menstruating, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It can also help cut down on dry eye symptoms related to Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the salivary glands and tear ducts, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. While early evidence has been promising from one small study, conducted by the Universidade de Brasília in 2007 and published in the journal Arq Bras Oftalmol, more research is needed to completely understand flaxseed oil's healing properties.