by Lynda Kohn

Created on: May 09, 2010

Flax is an ancient plant that was found as long ago as Ancient Egypt.  Specifically it was seen in the pyramids as linen cloth.  Homer wrote that Odyseus used linen to make the sails for his ship.  Whether or not Odyseus ever existed the fact is Homer, nine centuries before Christ knew of this herb.  Is been known for millenniums.

It contains fixed oils, glycosides.  Glyco means sugar.  Gum,  linoleic linolenic acid, mucilage, protein, tannins, wax.The linoleic and linolenic acids are part of Omega3s Please read below.  Fixed oils are lips, fats or waxes from seeds.  Gum is derived from cellolose.  

One of the earliest uses for flax was the making of linen thoussans of years ago in China. In fact its latin name is Linum. The Oxford Dictionary definition is cloth woven from flax.  Sheets, tableclothes, bedsheets and other products are made.  
In the late 15th century, the Netherlands painters, the Van Eyke brothers, Hubert and Jan,  began to paint with oils. They were the first to do so. One of the benefits of this medium wss it lent itself to varying consistencies. That is could be used as is or it could be thinned out.  One of the mediums to do this was linseed oil. This substance is derived from flax.  It is still used by artists today.


Flax is rich in EFAs  of the Omega3 type. For the record there are Omega6s. However they are not found in Flax.These Omega3s are made up of DHAs (Docosahexaoneic acid and EPAs (Eicoasapentanoic acid)  EFA is short for essential fatty acids.  That is they are acids mostly made of fat that are essential because the body doesn't produce them. Therby one needs to get them from dietary sources. Omegas of whatever type are fatty acids. That is they are acids that are mostly fat.  However they are good fats.  

The proven benefits include reduction of triglycerides. Scientific studies show Eskimos (Inuits) who eat a diet high in Omega3s their triglycerides are greatly lowered.  Plus their HDL or good cholesterol is significantly raised.

HDL High Density  Lipoproteins. Lipo is Greek for fats. Omages3s can protect people from heart disease including heart attacks(myocardial infarctions, coronary disease).  TFhey are helpful in preventing arteriosclerosis.  This med term is more commanly known as hardening of the arteries.
Some fresh water fishes are excellent sources of Omega3s, especially salmon. 

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>