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3 FLAX SEED
FLAX SEEDS THEMSELVES
Of all the non-fish and non-animal sources, flaxseed contains the highest quantity of Omega-3. I wonder how our ancestors knew this?
Flax seed or Linseed (Linumusitatissumum) is an ancient crop used both for its food value and its fibre. The Europeans say ”Linseed” while the Americans say “Flax” and it seems the convention now is to use Flax when referring to human use and Linseed for industrial use.
There are records of linseed going back to 7 000 BCE and it seems to have been used mainly in bread and as a laxative. For many centuries Linen was/is made from the fibre of linseed plants as was a floor covering: Linoleum. Paint formerly had a proportion of Linseed oil. (I use a bread-machine to make our own bread as we are sensitive to the propionate and other chemicals added to shop bread. And I always add 2-T ground flax-seed to the mix.)
Mother Nature has done an unusually good job with the flax seed. It has a hard husk to protect the oil and nutrients that lie concealed inside. The colder the climate the more nutrients are “made” and then stored in the seed. This factor means that of the two million metric tons produced world-wide every year the major suppliers are Canada (33%) China (20%), the Northern states of the USA (16%) and India (11%). Attempts to grow flax in South Africa have not been successful as it is not cold enough.
There are two major benefits of consuming “raw” flax seeds. Firstly they contain Lignans. These substances are being now being scientifically studied as they have been shown to have benefits in cancer reduction and hair loss.
Flax Seed as a laxative.
The second major benefit of the seeds is as a dietary fibre to “keep regular”. The body MUST get rid of the toxins from air and food and if the digestive system becomes blocked the toxins are absorbed back into the system.
The seed may not cure a bad case of constipation (often brought about by taking antibiotics) but a daily dose will help you “keep regular”. This is particularly the case for teenagers whose hormonal systems are changing and need to get rid of the toxins. It also applies to the menopause. Many females taking the seed and the oil on my recommendation have not had any hot flushes!
Using the Seeds
Ground flax seed has been shown to be one of the best natural laxative products with no side effects. In addition to the fibre content it has a jelly-like consistency when you add water. A daily ration of one/two tablespoon of seeds ground up in a coffee grinder will do. The seeds are small and if you do not grind them they will pass through your system and you won’t get any benefit. Also, remember that because of the oil content the ground seeds will go rancid very quickly. So store the un-ground seeds in a cool dark place and use the ground seeds right away. Some people grind a stock and keep it in a jar in the fridge, but I prefer to only grind what I need and use it immediately.
You can sprinkle the ground seeds on your other morning cereal or over your vegetables and salads. Some dissolve it in a glass of water and drink it. Or you can add the ground seeds to whatever you bake. I always add some to my bread mixture for my bread machine. In Europe many types of bread have flax seeds sprinkled on top.
The seeds also contain Omega-3 and 6 oils, but if the seeds are heated or processed in any way, the benefit is lost. So squeeze the oil out of the seeds for the Omega-3 oil content and grind the seeds for the fibre and consume “raw” or in your baking.
Fortunately there is a company who imports the bags of seeds from Canada and then repacks it in sealed packets for our convenience. Health Connection Wholefoods supply wholesale to health food stores and Pick-and-Pay countrywide. They have a substantial range of natural products.
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