Flixweed, Khakshir Seeds

Scientific Name: Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl Synonyms: Sisymbrium sophia L. English Name: Flixweed seed Other Names in English (UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand): Herb Sophia Family: Brassicaceae

🌿 Industries That Use Flixweed Seeds (Descurainia sophia L.)

Flixweed seeds—known as Khak-e Shir, Sophia seed, or Tukhm-e Khakshir in Persian—are tiny, reddish-brown seeds with a neutral taste. When soaked in water, they produce a mucilage-rich gel that is both cooling and gently detoxifying.

1. Traditional & Complementary Medicine Industry

Flixweed seed has been used for centuries in Persian, Islamic, Indian, and Chinese traditional medicine.

Applications:

• Used as a gentle laxative for constipation and sluggish digestion

• Consumed during hot seasons to cool the body and reduce heat-related fatigue

• Helps alleviate heartburn, acidity, and intestinal inflammation

• Sometimes used for urinary tract infections, frequent urination, and fever

✅ Taken as a cold infusion (soaked overnight) or decoction

2. Nutraceutical & Wellness Beverage Industry

In Iran and neighboring countries, Flixweed is a popular functional drink ingredient, especially in herbal cooling beverages.

Applications:

• Made into Khakshir Sharbat, a traditional Persian summer drink

• Included in detox drinks, gut cleansing formulas, and cooling herbal blends

• Combined with lemon juice, rosewater, or sugar syrup for taste and balance

• Occasionally added to fasting and cleanse programs in natural health regimens

✅ Known for soothing the stomach, reducing internal heat, and hydrating tissues

3. Pharmaceutical & Herbal Formulations

Due to its mucilage, Flixweed seed is included in respiratory, digestive, and anti-inflammatory herbal formulas.

Applications:

• Used to soothe dry cough, sore throat, and mucosal irritation

• Added to formulas for ulcers, gastritis, and internal dryness

• Sometimes used in infant constipation remedies (under supervision)

• Ground into powder and added to herbal laxative pills

✅ Possesses mild expectorant, emollient, and demulcent qualities

4. Cosmetic & Personal Care Industry

Though not as common as seeds like flax or fenugreek, Flixweed’s mucilage is occasionally used in natural skincare for its soothing and hydrating effects.

Applications:

• Used in cooling gels, natural facial masks, or anti-heat lotions

• Applied in body soaks for calming rashes or irritated skin

• Used in DIY Persian skincare rituals for hot skin conditions

✅ Traditionally believed to draw out heat and relieve itching

5. Food & Culinary Industry (Ethnic Use)

Flixweed is not commonly used in mainstream culinary applications but has a strong place in Persian household remedies and ethnic drinks.

Applications:

• Prepared as a herbal refreshment during Nowruz, Ramadan, or hot seasons

• Served to guests or family as a natural hydration aid

✅ Often mixed with citrus, rosewater, or herbal extracts

6. Export & Ethnic Herb Markets

Flixweed seeds are widely available in ethnic herbal stores, Middle Eastern groceries, and online wellness markets.

Applications:

• Sold under names like Khak-e Shir, Khakshir, or Sophia seeds

• Packaged for Iranian, Afghan, and Indian diaspora markets

• Appears in apothecary mixes, detox kits, and diabetic support bundles

✅ Usually exported whole, with instructions for soaking or decoction

✅ Summary of Key Applications

🌟 Key Features of Flixweed Seeds

• High in mucilage, which forms a gel-like coating in water

• Traditionally used to cool the body and soothe internal inflammation

• Acts as a mild detoxifier, digestive aid, and laxative

• Important part of Persian herbal culture and beverages

• Safe when soaked and consumed properly; avoid in cold constitutions in excess

PRODUCT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES Persian Name: خاکشیر/ Khakeshir German Name (Deutschland, Austria, Switzerland): Besenrauke samen, Gewöhnliche Besenrauke samen, Sophienkraut, Sophienrauke samen French Name (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec): Sisymbre Sagesse

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To order Herb Sophia seed, please contact us.

 

About Descurainia Sophia

Descurainia sophia is an herbaceous and annual plant that reaches one meter in height. Flixweed has many species. The stems of the Flixweed plant are straight and relatively thin, and their cross section is circular. The lower part of these stems is hairy, but the upper stems are hairless. The color of older stems is brownish. The leaves of this plant have several leaflets, each of which is divided into smaller, oval, and slightly elongated parts. Flixweed leaves grow without petioles.

The flowers are yellow, very small and usually have five elongated petals and grow at the end of the stems. The fruits are small, thin, elongated and slightly curved pods that are green at first. But after fully ripening, they turn red-brown. These pods often grow in the highest part of the stems and inside there are seeds. These seeds are very small, oval, and orange-brown in color.

The taste of some types of Flixweed is bitter.

 

Descurainia Sophia Chemical Constituents Fatty acid, Oleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, cis-β-ocimene, longicyclene, menthol, neoisomenthyl acetate, alloaromadendrene, Volatile oils, Benzyl, allyl, propenyl-isothiocyanate and allyl disulfide constituents, Cardiac glycoside, Flavonoids, Quercetine, kaempferol, isorhamnetine, Coumarins, Scopoletine, Scopoline, Xanthtoxol, isoscopoline, psoralene, xanthtoxin, bergaptane.   Flixweed Seed Temperament Hot and moist.

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Flixweed Seed Health Benefits 1. Herb Sophia seed is febrifuge, it is effective for relieving skin inflammation such as hives, it is useful for relieving stomach worms and kidney stones, it is appetizing, it relieves hoarseness, it eliminates waste substances around the spinal cord, it reduces the coldness of viscera and it eliminates lungs humors, stimulates peristalsis, heal injuries and is the blood purifier. 2. Mix it with milk and sweeten it with honey and drink it. It is beneficial for lightening the complexion and increasing sexual power. If Flixweed is eaten with milk every day for ten days, it will cause gaining weight and eliminate phlegm disorders.