Description
of the Flax plant
Flaxseed oil, also known as natural linseed oil is derived from the seeds
of the Flax plant. It is extracted by the cold pressed method, and is clear
to yellowish in colour. Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family
Linaceae. It is native to India. Flax is an erect annual plant growing to
1.2 m 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 in diameter,
containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip, 4–7 mm
long.
Nutritional
benefits of Flax Seed oil
Flax seed oil is highly recommended for the general well being and whole
body nutrition and is considered to be nature's richest source of omega-3
fatty acids that are required for the health of almost all body systems.
It is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid (EFA)
that appears to be beneficial for a variety of health conditions. The body
cannot manufacture it. EFAs are precursors to prostaglandins. Flax Seed Oil
contains omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium,
lecithin, magnesium, fiber, protein, and zinc and also provides
approximately 50% more omega-3 oils than what you could get from taking fish
oil, minus that horrible "fishy" after taste. It has a pleasant
nutty flavor and contains no cholesterol. It is important to maintain an
appropriate balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in the diet as these
two substances work together to promote health. These essential fats are
both examples of polyunsaturated fatty acids, or PUFAs. An inappropriate
balance of these essential fatty acids contributes to the development of
disease, while a proper balance helps maintain and even improve health. A
healthy diet should consist of roughly two to four times more omega-6 fatty
acids than omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil also contains a group of
chemicals called lignans that play a role in the prevention of cancer.
Lignans are substances known to stimulate immune activity.
Some nutritionists, researchers, and scientists believe that it could be
the most important health-promoting supplement next to a multi-vitamin.
Nearly every system in the body can benefit from Flax seed oil's natural
properties, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, circulatory
system, reproductive system, nervous system, as well as joints.
Unfortunately, our current diets do not come close to meeting our daily EFA
(essential fatty acids) requirements. The richest source of EFAs such as
Flax seed oil is rarely found in our regular meals. In addition, more
typical foods like red meats and egg yolks can actually encourage the body's
production of bad prostaglandins. Flax Seed oil can help restore the body's
natural balance of good and bad prostaglandins. Flax seed oil takes a bit of
time to be absorbed into the body before the full beneficial effects begin,
ranging anywhere from a few days to as many as six weeks, depending on your
overall well-being. Add Flax seed oil to your diet and watch what it will do
for you! One of the latest buzzword in the health care industry today is
Flax seed oil.
It's important to buy high-quality flaxseed oil as it is prone to
rancidity. Like any oil, Flaxseed oil may turn rancid if it is not stored in
the right conditions. Flaxseed oil requires special packaging because it is
easily destroyed by heat, light, and oxygen. Light and oxygen will slowly
breakdown the essential fatty acids. The oil should be refrigerated to help
extend its shelf life. The highest quality flaxseed products are
manufactured using fresh pressed seeds, bottled in dark or opaque
containers, and processed at low temperatures in the absence of light,
extreme heat, or oxygen.
Medicinal
benefits of Flax Seed oil
Studies suggest that flaxseed oil and other omega-3 fatty acids may be
helpful in treating a variety of conditions. The evidence is strongest for
heart disease and problems that contribute to heart disease, but the range
of possible uses for flaxseed oil include:
* It Controls high Cholesterol
* Lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension
* Prevents heart disease
* Prevents Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
* Prevents Arthritis, and treats Osteoporosis
* Prevents Breast Cancer
* Helps fight depression, and treats migraine headaches and panic attacks
* Helps heal wounds in burn victims
* Improves lung function in adults with Asthma
* Decreases inflammation
* Relieves cases of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) in females,
* Increases blood-thinning medications
* Allows Cholesterol-lowering medications
* Reduces toxic side effects during cyclosporine therapy
* Reduces the risk of ulcers from Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
* It protects the body against water retention, sticky blood platelets and
lowered immune function
* Shortens recovery time for fatigued muscles after exertion
* Increases the body's production of energy and also increases stamina,
* Accelerates the healing of sprains and bruises,
* Eases weight loss in people afflicted with obesity,
* Stimulates brown fat cells and increases the metabolic rate making it
easier to burn off fat
* Improves the absorption of Calcium,
* Strengthens finger and toenails,
* Improves eyesight and perception of colors
* Improves the function of the liver
* Relieves the side effects, and stops development of many forms of cancer
* Helps prevent Atherosclerosis (the accumulation of fatty deposits inside
the blood vessels, especially the large and medium-sized arteries, that many
people experience during the aging process)
* Can improve the mental function of many old age pensioners
* Has been proven to improve the behavior of Schizophrenics
* Aids in the formation and maintenance of healthy cell membranes
* Supports the mobility of saturated fats in the bloodstream
* Plays a vital role in the production of beneficial prostaglandins
* Maintains nerve membrane integrity
* Helps maintain lipid levels already in the normal range
* It is most commonly used as a laxative
* It is also used for hot flashes and breast pain
* It serves as an auto - immune to disease
* It treats kidney problems
* It boosts the immune system, due to its anti-bacterial and anti-viral
Properties
* It treats psoriasis, lupus, Eczema, acne, Scars and allergies
* It treats ulcers, preterm labor, emphysema, glaucoma, Lyme disease,
Multiple Sclerosis and Diabetes
* It treats dandruff
Dosage,
Side effects & Precautions
The dosage to prevent and treat disease will vary depending on the amount
of fatty acids in the diet and the type of disorder being treated. Flaxseed
oil may be added to a child's diet to help balance fatty acids. If an infant
is breastfed, the mother may ingest oil to increase fat content in breast
milk. For adults, one table spoon Flaxseed oil, twice daily is generally
recommended as an appropriate initial dose.
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with
medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision
of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.
Flaxseed oil supplements seem to be well tolerated. Few side effects have
been reported.
Industrial
uses of Flax Seed oil
Bio-diesel
Flax seed oil is used in the production of bio-diesel.
Paint binder
Flax Seed oil is the most commonly used carrier in oil paint. It can also
be used as a painting medium, making oil paints more fluid, transparent and
glossy.
Putty
Glazing putty, consisting of a paste of chalk powder and linseed oil, is a
traditional sealant for glass windows that dries hard within a few weeks and
can then be painted over.
Wood finish
When used as a wood finish, linseed oil dries slowly and shrinks little
upon hardening. Linseed oil does not cover the surface as varnish does, but
soaks into the (visible and microscopic) pores, leaving a shiny but not
glossy surface that shows off the grain. Wood treated with linseed oil is
resistant to denting and scratches and is easily repaired, but the surface
is not as hard as a modern varnish, and the wood will slowly absorb moisture
if allowed to stay wet. Soft wood is protected from denting, but requires
numerous applications and even more drying time than harder wood. Garden
furniture treated with linseed oil may develop mildew. Oiled wood is
yellowish and darkens with age.
Flax seed oil is also a traditional finish for gun stocks, but a very fine
finish may require months to obtain. Several coats of linseed oil is the
traditional protective coating for the raw willow wood of cricket bats, and
thus has a special cultural place in cricket-playing countries. Fire
departments treat the wood handles of hand tools that have metal implements
(e.g. axes, plaster hooks) with Linseed oil to prevent buildup of static
electricity. Linseed oil is also often used by billiards/pool cue-makers cue
shafts, as a lubricant/ protectant for wooden recorders, and used in place
of epoxy to seal modern wooden surfboards.
Animal feeds
Flax seed oil is used in the making of many animal feeds and animal care
products.
Leather
Flax seed oil is used in the leather industry for leather treatment.
Other Industrial uses
Flax seed oil is used in industrial lubricants, sealants, caulking
compounds, Linoleum, earthen floors and adobe. It is used in bicycle
maintenance as a thread fixative, rust inhibitor and lubricant. It is also
used as a composition ornament for moulded decoration.
