2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The flax (Linum usitatissimum) has been known to mankind since time immemorial and is considered one of the earliest cultivated crops. The health benefits of it have been proven by various and huge number of studies that are clear that flaxseed and its composition of fiber, fatty acids and vitamins are a real pharmacy for our health and an important part of a healthy diet.
The flax is from the family Linoceae and is a genus of annual and perennial herbaceous plants and semi-shrubs. This crop is grown mainly in three directions - oil, from which flaxseed oil is extracted, fiber, from which fibers are obtained from the stems, intermediate, which combines both functions - for oil and fiber. Mountain and semi-winter flax are also known. Cultivated flax is mass and is grown for linseed oil and fiber.
Flax It is grown on the high fields in Bulgaria, but there are also flax plantations on the North Black Sea coast. This cultural species is typical of Europe, the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, and is distributed throughout the Old Continent, excluding the far north and far south. Wild flax can be found in meadows and grassy and rocky places in pronounced humidity. It grows mainly from 200 to 2600 m above sea level.
The fiber carrier flax prefers a moderate climate without sharp limits in day and night temperature. This cultivated plant loves moisture - both soil and air. Due to its poorly developed root system, it requires rich soils with easily digestible nutrients.
Probably the most valuable part of flax is flaxseed. It must be harvested in full maturity. The most suitable for medicinal purposes is the large-seeded oil flax. Flax flour (Farina Lini) is also obtained from flax, which is also widely used. Flaxseed oil (Oleum Lini), which is a popular food supplement, is also extremely valuable.
It is important to note that only linseed oil, which is completely pure and obtained by the method of cold pressing, stored properly, protected from oxygen oxidation, from light and at the appropriate temperature, may have retained all its valuable qualities and 100% ingredients.
Only this oil can contribute to human health. Otherwise, improperly obtained and improperly stored linseed oil can easily turn rancid and become toxic. In addition to being valuable for health, flaxseed has other uses - it is included in varnishes, paints, linoleum and soap.
Huge flax plantations are now grown in India. In the commercial network you can buy flax as a food supplement, in its raw form, packaged in envelopes, so you can add it to the composition of various dishes and foods.
History of flax
There is evidence that for the first time flax was cultivated more than 7,000 years ago in the Middle East. Even then, food was used as a source of fiber and oil. Later in history, the ancient Egyptians, Jews, Greeks and Romans continued to cultivate flax, whose seeds were used for food, the resulting oil was used as medicine, and from the fibers were made clothes, ropes and sails for ships.
It is said that the Roman military legions used bread made from flax, which was a wholesome food allowing them to withstand long transitions and hard battles. Even today, one of the ingredients in Roman bread is still flaxseed.
In ancient Babylon used the parts of flax as medicine, with in 650 BC. the great healer Hippocrates recommended it to relieve stomach pains and inflammation of the mucous membranes. The Greek philosopher Theophrastus administered flaxseed and oil to his patients as a cough medicine.
A little later, in the 8th century in France, Charlemagne even passed a special law ordering the use of flaxseed among his subordinates in order to be able to rely on their health. The law was carefully accompanied by rules for the use of flax. They called the Mountain flax purifying flax, because its fame as a cleanser was carried everywhere.
Composition of flax
Flaxseed is the richest source of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids. These small flax seeds regulate immunity and improve a number of biochemical processes in the body. They also contain lignans, which are estrogens with antioxidant action that regulate hormonal balance and stimulate the production of hormones in the body.
Flax seeds are extremely rich in fiber, which is so important for digestion and the excretory system. Active secretion and enhanced motor function of the digestive system are due to the glycoside linamarin, as a result of which flax causes a mild laxative effect that does not cause pain and colic.
The composition of flaxseed contains 5-12% mucus, which ultimately causes a slight laxative effect. This mucous substance can be extracted from the epidermal cells by soaking in cold water without additional heating. The percentage of fatty oil is 30-45%, which includes mainly glycerides of unsaturated higher fatty acids - linolenic, linoleic and oleic.
Flaxseed contains about 1.5% of the cyanogenic glycoside linamarin, which decomposes under the action of the enzyme linamarase of hydrogen cyanide, glucose and acetone. In addition, small flax seeds have about 20-30% protein, 10-25% carbohydrates, organic acids, enzymes, vitamin A and more.
In addition to Omega-3, flaxseed and flaxseed oil are also a source of Omega-6 (linoleic acid) and Omega-9 (oleic acid) fatty acids, which in turn are a source of magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin E and vitamin A.
Benefits of flax
Flax and its products are extremely valuable for human health and are used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. The tape has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, soothing irritating effect. It is an emollient, laxative, cleanser, with a proven positive effect in relieving cough.
Flaxseed is widely used in spastic constipation. Its mucous components have anti-inflammatory action in inflammation of the stomach, intestines, bronchi, urinary tract and others. It is also applied externally for burns, boils, etc. For this purpose, compresses are made from crushed flaxseed or linseed oil. Flaxseed oil is very effective in burns and is often mixed with lime water in such cases.
The benefits of flaxseed for patients with impaired fat metabolism have been proven. Specialists often include it in the diet of atherosclerosis and obesity. It is good to know that flaxseed oil, which is contained in flaxseed, interferes with the absorption of animal cholesterol.
Flaxseed infusions can be used to treat coughs and sore throats, and if desired you can mix them with honey and lemon for a more pleasant taste. For boils, abscesses and external ulcers, apply paws of crushed or finely ground seeds or use topically for pleurisy, cough, bronchitis or emphysema.
Mountain flax has antirheumatic properties. It is considered a very strong laxative that can successfully replace senate. It is used very often for rheumatism and liver complaints, because its strong laxative effect cleanses the body and accumulated toxins from the body.
How to use: Pour 1 tbsp. flaxseed with 400 ml of cold water. Soak it for at least 2 hours, then take 150 ml 3 times a day.
Harm from flax
Keep in mind that flaxseed oil has a very short shelf life and is capricious in terms of storage - keep it in a cool and dark place and never keep it open. A large part of the commercially available linseed oil is not stored according to these principles and is not even obtained by the method of cold pressing.
That is why it is considered a defective product, and some even point to it as toxic. Flax contains a certain amount of glycerides and phosphates and a small amount of a poisonous glucocide, which causes death in animals that have eaten flaxseed.
