Flax Seeds

Flax seed, also known as linseed, is one of the ancient cultivated crops since mesopotamian times, grown for its oil seeds and fiber. Its chewy seeds are packed with full of nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals, and essential vitamins. Off late, nutritional and health benefits of flax have widely drawn the attention of nutrition researchers as well as health enthusiasts alike across the globe.

This valuable annual plant originally came from those parts of egypt overflowed by the nile. It is now extensively cultivated in this country. The seed is what is called linseed. Linseed contains about one-fifth of mucilage, and one-sixth of fixed oil. The cake which remains after the expression of the oil, contains the farinaceous and mucilaginous part of the seed, and is used in fattening cattle.

Flax belongs to the family of linaceae, of the genus of linum, and botanically named as linum usitatissimum.a.

Flax is one of the easily cultivated crops that flourishes well both in tropical as well as subtropical climates, with its higher production as a field crop noted in some fertile river valleys. It is an erect annual plant growing about 1 to 1.5 meters tall and bears light-blue colored attractive flowers.

Flax fruit pod is a round, dry capsule 6a9 mm diameter, containing several brown or golden-yellow seeds (depending on cultivar type). The seeds feature smooth, glossy surface and flat shape that somewhat appear like sesame seeds, but quite larger, measuring about 5a7 mm in length.

In general, there exist two common cultivars of flax; one is predominantly grown for its oil seeds and the other variety for fiber. Seed flax generally features brown, and yellow or golden-yellow color seeds, with most types having similar nutritional values and equal amounts of short-chain omega-3 fatty acids.

As in other oil seeds, flax too is one of the very high-calorie foods. 100 g of seeds contain 534 calories or 27% of daily-required levels. Further, the seeds are an excellent source of numerous health-benefiting nutrients, dietary fiber (mucilage), minerals,antioxidants and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.

Flax seed is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. It is also one of the top plant sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid (ala) and arachidonic acids. Regular intake of small portions of flax seeds in the diet helps to lower total as well as ldl or abad cholesterola and increases hdl or agood cholesterola levels in the blood. Research studies suggest that mediterranean diet that is rich in fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids help to prevent coronary artery disease andstrokes by favoring healthy blood lipid profile.

Flax seeds are perhaps one of the most widely vailable botanical sources of na3 or i (omega)-3 fatty acids. Flax seed oil consists of approximately 55% ala (i plus-minus -linolenic acid). One spoonful of flax seed oil provides about 8 g of omega-3 fatty acids. Research studies have suggested that n-3 fatty acids by their virtue of anti-inflammatory action help lower the risk of blood pressure, coronary artery disease, strokes and breast, colon and prostate cancers. Adequate quantities of n-3 oils are required for normal infant development and maturation of nervous system.

The seeds contain lignans, a class of phytoestrogens considered to have antioxidant and cancer preventing properties.

Flax are an excellent source of vitamin e, especially rich in gamma-tocopherol; containing about 20 g (133% of daily-recommended values) per 100 g. Vitamin e is a powerful lipid soluble antioxidant, required for maintaining the integrity of cell membrane of mucus membranes and skin by protecting it from harmful oxygen-free radicals.

The seeds are packed with many important b-complex groups of vitamins such as riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin b-6, and folates. Thiamin is an essential co-factor for carbohydrate metabolism and helps prevent beri-beri disease. Folates help prevent neural tube defects in the fetus whenconsumed during pre-conception period and pregnancy.

Furthermore, flax seed is rich source of minerals like manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and selenium.

Flax or linseed oil has flavorful nutty aroma and has been used in cooking, and as acarrier" or "base oila in traditional medicines and in pharmaceutical uses.

Linseed is emollient and demulcent. The entire seeds, or the seeds ground into meal, called linseed meal, make very useful cataplasms, or poultices. In ulcerated and inflamed parts, it allays irritation and pain, and promotes suppuration. It is commonly used for abscesses, and other local affections, which require to be brought to a crisis as soon as possible. The infusion of the seed is much employed as a pectoral drink, in scalding urine, nephritic pains, etcetera.

Linseed oil mixed with an equal quantity of lime-water is an excellent application for burns. As a domestic remedy for colds, coughs, and irritation of the urinary organs, linseed tea is most valuable. Take of linseed 6 drachms , liquorice root, 2 drachms; bruise or slice the latter, and pour on both a pint of boiling water; in a covered vessel, let it stand four hours near a fire; strain; when cold it is fit for use. A little honey, and a table-spoonful of lemon juice, make it very agreeable, and more efficacious. Linseed oil is sometimes given internally as a laxative, (in milk) from 4 drachms to 1 ounce. It is given in pleurisy and peripneumony with great success; and it is excellent in the gravel andstone.