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Flax Plant
Flax, Linseed (French: Lin; German: Flachs; Spanish: Lino; Italian: Lino; Portuguese: Linho)
Flax, common name for a family of plants, and for plants of a genus within that family. One species
(Linum usitatissimum) is grown extensively for its fiber and seed. Other species are cultivated as
ornamental plants or for pharmaceuticals. Flax plants range in height from 30 to 100 cm (12 to 40 in)
and have narrow, alternate, lance like leaves. The flowers of most cultivated varieties range in color
from deep to pale shades of blue. Some garden varieties have white, violet, pink, or red blossoms.

Flax plant (linum usitatissimum)

a: roots; b: stem (containing fibers); c: leaves entire, narrow; d: flowers blue, somewhat white, pink or
violet, arranged in a biparous cyme; e: fruit (boll capsule) containing less than 10 seeds.
It is cultivated either as a textile plant, for the fibers contained in the stem, or for its oleo-protinaceous
seeds.
Winter flax varieties, with their procumbent growth at the beginning of their development, are
differentiated from spring flax varieties, that grow erect and are sensitive to cold.
Textile flax has been cultivated in Europe since the Middle Ages, but has declined since the
appearance of cotton.
Planting occurs in spring; harvesting occurs by uprooting when the capsules are yellow green. Retting
permits decomposition of cements which bind the fibers.
Linseed (Flaxseed)
Flax seeds produce an oil used for industrial purposes and are also used as animal feed. Sown in
March, the oil yielding flax is harvested when the seeds are mature, drying may be necessary.
Flax for seed is produced and harvested in about the same manner as wheat and other small grains.
Yields and quality are best in relatively cool climates. Flax seed yields from 30 to 40 percent linseed
oil by weight. The oil is used in the manufacture of paints, varnishes, linoleum, oilcloth, printing
inks, QLIFE cosmetics, and other products. In recent years the fiber from seed flax has been used
in the manufacture of high-grade and special purpose papers. Flax seed is naturally mucilaginous.
Flax seed: 100 grams contains...
Linseed oil: 35 grams
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (omega-3) 20.7 grams
Linoleic Acid (omega-6) 4.9 grams
Oleic Acid 6.7 grams
Stearic Acid 1.4 grams
Palmitoleic Acid 1.8 grams
Protein: 26 grams
Fiber:
14 grams
Mucilage: 12 grams

Water:
9 grams
Minerals: 4 grams
Potassium .74 grams
Phosphorus .70 grams
Magnesium .38 grams
Calcium .21 gram
Sulfur .21 gram
Sodium .046 gram
Chlorine .043 gram
Iron
.0077 gram
Zinc
.0057 gram
Traces of Manganese, Silicon, Copper, Fluorine, Nickel, Cobalt, Iodine, Molybdenum, Chromium
10. Skin Conditions
Linseed Oil is famous for its ability to make the skin smooth, soft and velvety. It will also
alleviate those skin conditions whose origin is the lack of the Omega-3s in the diet
Ingredient Showcase: Flaxseed Extract, the Triple-Threat Against Aging and Sun Damage
Did you know that flaxseed isnt technically a grain? It does have a similar vitamin and mineral
profile to grains, though, but it has more fiber, antioxidants, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Add that
its low in carbohydrates and you have an ideal food for people who are cutting back on starches and
sugars.
Preliminary studies on flaxseed show potential benefits from heart disease to cancer. Now, mostly
because of its high content of fatty acids, we know that flaxseed makes a great addition to skin care
formulas, as well.
Native to the eastern Mediterranean and India, flax is a member of the genusLinum in the family
Linaceae. It was extensively grown in ancient Ethiopia and Egypt, with dyed flax fibers found in a
prehistoric cave in the Republic of Georgia dating to 30,000 B.C.

Benefits to the Skin

These three power components of flaxseedomega-3 fatty acids, lignans, and antioxidantsalso
have the ability to benefit the health of our skin. Here are some examples:
Fatty acids keep skin hydrated, moist, and smooth, preventing drying and reducing the look of
fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness.
Antioxidants help protect the skin from free radicals, slowing oxidative damage and
protecting from UV rays.
The anti-inflammatory properties help reduce skin irritation and inflammation, cutting down
on redness and rashes. In fact, flaxseed oil is often recommended for the treatment of rosacea,
psoriasis, and eczema.
Flaxseeds natural oils are known to help encourage healing, and are used in treating acne
breakouts and wounds. The fatty acids help naturally balance the oils within the skin.
The fatty layer of our skin tends to flatten and shrink as we age. The fatty acids in flaxseed
help to bring back elasticity, hiding wrinkles and plump the skin back to a more youthful
appearance.
Lignans in flaxseed aid the skin in helping to reverse the signs of aging.
Linseed Oil
Linseed oil is the oil extracted from flax seeds. Now, you may be wondering that isnt the oil from
flax called flaxseed oil. Yes, thats true. Both flaxseed oil and linseed oil start out from the same
source the flax seeds. However, the processing is quite different which leads to marked differences

between these oils. Linseed oil is used for various industrial purposes and paint jobs whereas flaxseed
oil is fit for human consumption.
Source
Linseed oil comes from flax seeds. Flax is commerically important crop grown in cooler climates of
the world. In fact, it is the oldest crop to be grown on earth. Flax is named Linum
usitatissimum , second part of which translates into the most useful. Flax plant was revered in
ancient civilizations for its diverse uses. Flax seeds make a healthy inclusion to diet. They are rich in
omega 3 fatty acids and in dietary fiber, great for people with constipation issues.
Flax seeds are of two types the brown ones and the yellow ones. Linseed oil is extracted from both
types of seeds. It is yellowish in color.
Linseed Oil vs Flaxseed Oil
Linseed oil is obtained from dried flax seeds by pressing, but it is not cold pressing. In most cases,
flax seeds are boiled and this heat treatment leads to changes in the structure of healthy oils. After
that, the seeds are passed through solvents ( harmful chemicals ) to extract every drop of oil from the
cake. This improves efficiency but this linseed oil is edible. Linseed oil is thus used only as paint
binder or wood finish.
Flaxseed oil is the more natural kind of oil and it is extracted by cold pressing. This keeps its
nutrients in their original form, making it fit for human consumption,
Both linseed oil and flaxseed oil are extremely vulnerable to rancidity. They have poor shelf lives and
must be refrigerated and kept away from sunlight at all times.
Food grade linseed oil It is an alternative to flaxseed oil. Food grade linseed oil can be used as an
ingredient to your dishes. You can add it to recipes, as a binder and even for drinking.
CAUTION Never use linseed oil as cooking oil. It is one of those oils which should be used only for
prepared food, but not while preparing food. The oil has a smoke point of 225 F, which is low. The
oil gives smoke quickly and this turns healthy nutrients in very dangerous chemicals. Cooking with
linseed oil or flaxseed oil is bad.

Properties
Linseed oil has some special properties which make it suitable for industrial use.

Drying Linseed oil dries up slowly, but uniformly. This makes it suitable for use as drying
agent in paint formula, wood finish products etc.

Water resistance this oil keeps the material protected from water. This helps to safeguard
metal products from corrosion and furniture from water damage.

Glow Linseed oil adds glow to wood

Binding agent Linseed oil binds together ingredients in many products. It creates a rich,
smoothy emulsion when all ingredients are mixed with it. This is very helpful.

Linseed oil may lead to a slight yellowing of the product over which it is used, but this diminishes
after some time. The intensity of this yellowing varies from product to product, and there may be
some where such an effect is not seen at all.

Uses
Linseed oil grabs up many uses for itself because of its properties. Here is how you can use it at home.

Bicycle repair Is your bicycle rusting and showing signs of age. Give it a lift with linseed
oil. Apply a thin coat of linseed oil on the metallic parts and let it dry in shade, not the sun. You
should see a mild shine on its metaland corrosion is checked.

Wood finish Linseed oil makes an excellent home wood finish. For this use, one should
get boiled linseed oil. This oil is prepared from pre boiled seeds, and it dries faster. Apply a thin
coat of this oil on any wooden product. Let it dry for a few hours and then it is done. Best thing
about this finish is that it is not evident on surface, like a slicky oily substance on top. Linseed oil
penetrates inside wood and strengthens the material.

Anti Termite : If you suspect woodworm or termites in your lovely furniture, linseed oil
comes to rescue. All by itself, it doesnt kill termites. But, if you add a few drops of orange peel
oil to linseed oil, termites are definitely killed. It also protects wood from future invasions by
termites.

Oil Painting Linseed oil is a popular binder used to make oil paints from powdered colors.

Oil cloth You can make your home-made waterproofing material. Get a finely woven linen
cloth and dip it in linseed oil. Use generous amounts of oil. Now this cloth can be used to keep
anything inside it protected from water damage, like because of moisture.

Seasoning Cookware Teflon coated cookware is non sticky. But what if you want to season
that old cookware from decades back ? Linseed oil can be used to season old cookware and make
it fit for cooking. Use food grade linseed oil to coat the cookware and let it dry. Then it doesnt
stick to food, making it as easy to clean as modern anti stick utensils.

Leather conditioning Take a cotton rag cloth. Put a few drops of linseed oil on it and then
use it to clean your leather products. It cleans and seals the leather, making it softer and protected
from mildew. Your shoes, or jacket should look as good as new.

Health Benefits of Food Grade Linseed Oil

The food grade oil can be used a dietary supplement. Flax seed oil is superior to this oil in terms of
nutritional quality, but nevertheless, one can use linseed oil also. It promises many health benefits.
Natural laxative
Consuming a teaspoon size of linseed oil acts as mild laxative. One can take it with milk, smoothie or
any other liquid food for this effect.

Linseed oil pack

Linseed oil can be used as pack to relieve inflammation and pain. Although the omega 3 concentration
in linseed oil is slightly less than flaxseed oil, it is still enough to lower inflammation. Apply it in the
form of a pack over painful skin, and leave it for few hours. The pain subsides.
Hormonal balance
Drinking some linseed oil has been noted to help in balancing abnormal hormonal values, especially
in women. That is because linseed oil is a great source of lignans, a class of nutrients which resemble
estrogen.
Protects from Osteoporosis
Eating flax seed, or drinking either flaxseed oil or linseed oil can help in reducing the risk of
osteoporosis, a condition in which bone density decreases substantially. The effect is most powerful
when flaxseed oil is used, but linseed oil also has some effect.
Based on the above health benefits and modern research, it is clear that flaxseed oil is slightly better
than food grade linseed oil. So, for human consumption, one should go for flaxseed oil. It has higher
amounts of omega fatty acids, and is therefore strongly anti-inflammatory.

Side Effects And Toxicity Issues

Both flaxseed oil and food grade linseed oil are generally safe. Do not use other kinds of linseed oil
for personal use, not even as topical agent or massage oil. The chemicals in that oil can percolate
through our skin and act as toxins. The liver has a hard time removing these solvents.
Linseed oil should be avoided by pregnant or nursing women. It is also not safe for people with
bleeding disorders. It should not be taken in case you are severely injured and there is risk of
bleeding. Flax is known to promote bleeding. If you are going to get a surgery, avoid flax and its oils.
This should be done at least 2 weeks prior to the surgery.
Always check linseed oil for rancidity before using, as it is highly possible that the oil is rancid if it
has been kept improperly at the heath store. Rancid oils are very harmful and can directly aggravate
the risk of cardiovascular disease, quickly.
Linseed oil is also spontaneously flammable in certain cases. Therefore, care must be taken to keep it
away from hot temperatures.
For details on the safety of industrial grade linseed oil, refer the MSDS of linseed oil ( Material
Safety Data Chart )
Safe Dosage
Even if you are drinking food grade linseed oil, there is a cap on the upper limit. Dosage upto about
20 mlare safe. But beyond this it can become harmful and lead to food poisoning like symptoms.
History
Flax crops have been cultivated since the start of civilization. It has been noted in the paintings of
ancient Egypt as well as in China. The practice of extracting its oil may have been a very ancient

practice too. In ancient Greece, oil of flax was used to alleviate stomach troubles. In those times too, it
was more used for waterproofing, drying and binding purposes
Medical and Nutritional Information
The nutrient composition of food grade linseed oil is similar to flax seed oil. It is rich in omega-3,
omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. Plus it also contains lignans that are powerful antioxidants.
Linseed oil has high amounts of alpha linoleic acid and linoleic acid. Here is a chart showing major
fatty acids found in food grade linseed oil. These can vary depending upon the crop type and the
processing method.
Nutrient

Percentage

Property

Alpha Linoleic Acid

47.4

Anti-inflammatory

Linoleic Acid

27.1

Anti-inflammatory

Oleic Acid

19

Decreases cholesterol

Stearic Acid

2.5

Assist cholesterol lowering effect

Palmitic Acid

Mild antioxidant

Other fatty acids found in smaller amounts are palmitoleic acid, arachidic acid and eicosenoic acid.
There is lot of debate on the harmful effects of palmitic acid. It seems that in larger amounts, palmitic
acid increases the risk for heart disease, but in small amounts it acts as mild antioxidant which is good
for the body.

Linseed oil is nice for paint work and for protecting your wooden furniture. It is inexpensive in
comparison to other costly products used to finish wood. Use it to prolong the life of your furniture.
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