All over India, Linseed is cultivated alongside the rabi crop and is also grown in Himachal Pradesh at an altitude of 6,000 ft. The color and size of Linseed vary by region, ranging from white and yellowish-red to slightly brown. The variety grown in warmer areas is considered the best quality. Linseed is primarily valued for its seeds, which are rich in nutrients and known for their benefits of flax seeds. In addition, fiber obtained from the branches is used for weaving cloth, making Linseed a versatile and important crop.
This annual plant is 2–4 inches tall, straight, and soft. The leaves are striped and spear-like in shape with a pointed tip; the part containing the fruits has three compartments. The flowers are pretty sky blue. The fruits are nipple-shaped with five chambers, and each chamber has two shining, flat, dark brown seeds known for their benefits of flax seeds. The flowers and fruits appear in winter, and by February–March, the crop is ready for harvesting, offering a rich source of seeds with multiple health benefits.
Chemical Composition of Flax Seeds
The seeds contain a stable oil which constitutes mainly glycerides and fatty acids of Linolic, and Linolenic acids. Seeds also contain a poisonous glucoside, which is why when animals consume Linseed, they die. In addition, the seeds also include proteins, mucilage’s, wax like chemicals, a sticky substance, phosphates and sugars. Its ash contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus sulphur etc.
Nutritional Properties of Flax Seeds
The seed is mildly fragrant, smooth, warm, and pungent. It enhances physical strength and potency. Taken in small quantities it increases urine flow and removes sluggishness. Taken in large quantities it is purgative and cures many diseases but affects eyesight.
The linseed oil is a little sweet but astringent. It suppresses vata and kapha, gives strength, makes stool heavy and warm, and cures skin disorders.
The leaves help in breathing and suppress kapha-rata. Fresh green leaves cooked as vegetable are beneficial for vata disorders.
The flower cures persons having blood stained pitta.
Boost Immunity with the Medicinal Benefits of Flax Seeds
Headache
Grind the Linseed seeds in cold water and apply the paste on forehead. It relieves one of oedema related pain, headache and any wounds in the head.
Sleeplessness
Take fresh Linseed oil and castor oil in equal quantities. Mix the two oils in a copper vessel. Using a copper rod apply the mixture in both the eyes. It helps the patient sleep well.
Ear pain
Cook Linseed with onion juice and put a few drops of it in the ear. It also cures any kind of swelling in the ear.
Breathlessness
Take 5 gm Linseed powder and boil it in water. Mix 20 gm sugar candy and give the patient. During winters, instead of sugar mix honey. Give this solution to the patient every morning and evening. It helps cure breathing problems.
asthma
Soak 5 gm Linseed in 50 gm water for 12 hrs and then give this water to the patient to drink Soak the seeds in the morning and drink in the evening. Similarly, soak in the evening to drink in the morning. This treatment enhances physical energy when given to the patient. Be careful about following the recommended diet and anything to be avoided.
Vata-kapha disorders
Take 50 gm of roasted Linseed seed’s powder, 50 gm sugar and 10 gm chilly powder. Mix them with honey and prepare tablets of 3-6 gm each. These tablets must be taken in the morning (3 gm tablet for children and 6 gm tablet for adults). It cures all kapha related disorders. Do not drink water till 1 hour after taking the tablets.
Purgative
Without heating extract 4-8 gm of Linseed oil and give it to the patient. It rinses the bowels and helps eradicate any form of bowel disorders. It is beneficial in curing constipation due to intestinal weakness and piles.
Urinary problems
Take 50 gm Linseed and 3 gm liquorice. Grind them coarse. Mix the two with 375 gm water in an earthen pot and cook it on low heat. When 50 gm of water is left, strain the solution and mix 2 gm Kalami Shora in it. Give 20 gm of this solution to the patient at an interval of 2 hours. This helps in curing urinary disorder. This mixture can be prepared in large quantities and can be used for 10-15 days.
Joints pain
Grind Linseed with Isabgol and form a paste. Apply this paste. It cures pain in the joints
Backache
Heat Linseed oil and mix with dry ginger powder. Massage with this oil. It brings immediate relief in waist pain.
Sexual potency
Give Linseed with black pepper and honey. It helps increase sexual potency/desire and also helps in thickening the semen.
Boil, Pimple, Abscess
In case of boils where the patient complains of burning sensation and pain, take roasted Linseed and sesame. Boil them in cow’s milk and let the milk cool. Grind the seeds in the same milk to form a paste. Apply this paste on boils. It gives immediate relief.
Burns
Take equal quantities of pure Linseed oil and water distilled with lime. Mix the two. It changes into white coloured paste. It is commonly known as Carron oil. Apply this on the burnt area. It immediately relieves the pain. Apply this 1-2 times a day, for a few days to see the results.
Daily Benefits of Flax Seeds for a Healthy Lifestyle
Note Linseed poultice is best of all the poultice. Mix 4 parts of ground Linseed in 10 parts of boiled water and mix the two, take care that poultice is not very thick. While applying, ensure that its lower part is smeared with oil, it helps cure swelling and pain.
