Lech BARTKOWSKI ? Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants, Poznań, Poland
Please cite as: CHEMIK 2013, 67, 3, 186-191
The history of flax (linum) dates back about 8,000 years B.C. At those times linen served s threads for sewing skins together or as a string; later on a man learned how to weave lothes. As time passed by, ancient people became true masters in this craft, laying oundations for development of the textile industry. Today we can admire the samples of heir craftsmanship, for instance, in the museum in Cairo, among the exhibits found in the Pharaoh Tutankhamen?s tomb.
Not only clothes were made of flax, but also sails, furniture throws, even handkerchiefs. Small, local knitting workshops were a source of development of the industry on a national scale. Looms were also improved, which made the whole spinning system much more efficient. The next breakthrough was the development of dyeing industry; initiated by Phoenicians, the history of flax livened up. The Middle Ages also got enticed by linen fabric. After wool, flax was the second native fibre that was applied on such a wide scale in Europe.
In the Slavic countries flax had been cultivated since a very long time. It fed, cured and dressed people. Linseed was used for treating ?worms?, heartburn and applied on ulcers. Nowadays cold-pressed linseed oil is used for medical, cosmetic and culinary purposes. Hotpressed oil is used for technical purposes, for production of paints, varnishes, pigment, putty and artistic resins.
Fax is so deeply rooted in the tradition and culture that it became a topic of fabulous fairy tales. Even if you do not know their contents from your childhood, you can learn it from this article.
?Jak to ze lnem było? (The story of flax) by Maria Konopnicka is a history of flax processing, describing every stage of it ? from sowing through harvesting, fibre processing up to the finished product ? linen. This inconspicuous, deep blue flowering plant finally turns out to be more precious than gold, as it becomes the ?wealth of the poor nation?.
?Len? (Flax) by Hans Christian Andersen is a story about the plant which transforms, step by step, into yarn, linen, underwear, paper, book manuscript. However, as it happens in fairy tales, where their heroes ? animals or plants ? are given human attributes and feelings, in this case Flax is presented as a being which is bursting with joy of life. The changes, which flax undergoes, become the beginning of something higher and better, and not ?the end of song?.
Polish flax has always been known in the world. Linen bed sheets, tablecloths beautifully embroidered by hand enjoyed big demand. There have always been connoisseurs of such craftwork. After the Second World War there were large linen processing plants. In the last twenty years the flax plants were sold, although fax should still be our national wealth.
Linseed ? a natural source of health and beauty
Extraction of precious ingredients from common flax dates back to the Oriental times. More and more often and gladly we consume and add to many food products various forms of linseed, as the fax still impresses us with its beneficial impact on human body. The seeds of linum, commonly known as linseed, have also high nutritional value. They have in their composition big amounts of precious ingredients. Linseed in about 40% is made of fat, of which almost 60% are omega-3 acids, and only 15% ? omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are of fundamental significance for proper functioning of the human body. They are needed for building brain tissue and cell membranes, synthesis of hormones; they support metabolism, reduce the cholesterol level. They have anti-arthrosclerosis effect and inhibit aggregation of blood platelets.
They contain soluble and insoluble fibre, that?s why they are often used in alimentary canal disorders, such as constipation, diarrhoea. Dietary fibre ensures proper peristalsis of bowels, enables to regulate the work of an alimentary canal, facilitates defecation and gives better feeling of satiety. It also binds in the bowel redundant products of metabolism, including toxins, and helps to remove them from the body. Besides, soluble fractions of dietary fibre restore proper composition of bowel micro flora, preventing diarrhoea or bloat.
Due to the high content of fat, linseed is a real repository of the fat-soluble vitamin E. This vitamin is a natural anti-oxidant and protects the body cells from unfavourable impact of free radicals. Linseed supplies also many vitamins from the B group. The content of minerals in one seed of fax is 3-8%. Linseed has such trace elements as: calcium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, magnesium, selenium. Seeds have about 10% of phosphorus, but in the form of phosphatides, especially lecithin. It participates in various metabolism processes, takes part in the proper functioning of the nervous system and constitutes a protective barrier for the stomach walls.
Phytoestrogens ? known also as plant hormones ? appear in linseed in the form of sterols. These compounds block estrogen receptors, protecting the body from unfavourable impact of reactive forms of oxygen, commonly known as free radicals. They act as anticancer agents. Linseed contains mainly one group of phytoestrogens ? lignans. They belong to the biologically active ingredients, show anti-cancer properties (inhibit cellular division), hepathoprotective activity (protect liver parenchyma from toxic action of certain
substances). They alleviate adverse effects of menopause and the level of ?bad? cholesterol (LDL fraction).
Lignans reduce the risk of the large intestine cancer. They have anti-arthrosclerosis, hypoglycaemic (reducing the concentration of glucose in the blood) and anti-diabetic effect. They inhibit the development of bacteria and mycotic fungus. The specialists in the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poznań developed the technology of generation and application of linseed extract in diet supplements. The project was financed from the funds of the National Centre for Research and Development.
Mucilages contained in the linseed are a precious dietary ingredient. The content of mucilage substances in linseed ranges from 3% to 9%. They are substances composed of polysaccharides and proteins which show strong swelling properties in the water environment. It means that linseed flooded with water increase their volume even several times. Mucilages have the screening and coating effect. They mitigate irritations of the alimentary canal by protecting the stomach walls. Their properties are used during antibiotic treatments, in diseases of digestive system; they also improve metabolism.
Exogenous amino acids contained in the linseed protein play a very important role in the body, as they must be supplied together with food. It is because they are not synthesised in the body. The amino acid composition of linseed has extraordinary biological properties. The high content of leucine, lysine and phenylalanine regulates the functions of hormones, tryptophan has a positive effect on sight, prevents skin diseases, while threonine participates in transformation and assimilation of the remaining amino acids.
Other bioactive substances, such as flavonoids ? that are antioxidants, delay the body ageing process.
Owing to their precious properties and the extraordinary composition linseed has a positive impact on health and is used in prevention of many diseases. In case of females they also regulate the concentration of hormones and help to mitigate the symptoms
of menopause. In case of males their action is used to support the treatment of prostate owing to the high content of omega-3 fat acids and phytoestrogenes. Linseed and the substances contained in them support also the digestive system, nervous system, cardiovascular system and help in eating disorders: they regulate overweight and
obesity. They are also helpful in maintaining good condition of skin, hair and nails.
In the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poznań linseed oil, an especially precious component of our daily diet, is cold-pressed out of genetically non-modified linseed. Due to the high (about 57%?65%) content of the alpha-linolenic acid it is the richest known plant source of this acid which belongs to the Omega 3 family. In the most of consumed plant oils the content of Omega 3 acids is below 2%.
Clinical researches on patients have revealed that the lack of alpha-linolenic acid in the diet leads to many pathological changes, such as visual disturbance, muscular pains, loss of weight, nervous system diseases, etc.
The alpha-linolenic acid, which we consume in the form of linseed oil, undergoes three types of metabolic transformation:
1) In the metabolism process it supplies to the body the energy needed for its work; in this aspect it is very energising, recommended to sportspeople for use before the competition
2) It is a component of cell membranes of the body. It gives them elasticity, ensures proper transport of nutritients, as well as inhibits the production of inflammatory substances. In this way it protects us against infections, cancer diseases, harmful external agents and performs an anti-inflammatory function. Positive effect on the condition of skin and hair is also ascribed to this component
3) It contributes to the maintenance of proper cholesterol concentration in the blood and to reduction of triglycerides concentration. Proper transformations of cholesterol in the human body prevent blood platelets sticking together and facilitate blood circulation. As a result, it reduced the risk of hypertension, atherosclerosis and heart diseases.
Due to its over 80-year-old flax-related scientific and research tradition the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants is able to use the pool of knowledge for ensuring the high quality and prohealth properties of linseed oil. This oil, produced in low temperatures, subject to natural filtration in order to remove redundant, constant pollutants, retains the abundance of phytosterols, tocopherols and Omega 3, as well as an exceptional taste. Each series of Bioflax Linseed Oil produced in compliance with the highest quality standards is thoroughly tested by experienced specialists in the modern, well-equipped, certified research laboratory. Raw materials for the production come from long-term approved suppliers, validated by the Institute, and from own crops.
It is the best to consume linseed oil cold, without heating and boiling, because then it retains the most of its pro-health properties. Linseed oil is the ideal basis of Dr Budwig?s diet, it fills the body with the sufficient quantity of Omega 3 acids to enable the cells to regain their natural properties.
The consumption of linseed oil with high content of linolen is recommended to the elderly, those studying intensively and sport practicing people in order to increase the functional capacity and resistance of the body. Linseed oil with high content of linolen supplies energy and is a source of Omega-3 acids which constitute the building material for cells and tissues of the human body. Traditionally linseed oil was consumed with finely chopped onion or pounded garlic, mainly as an addition to boiled potatoes or white cheese. Linseed oil tastes
delicious when added to herrings, sauerkraut, salads or porridge or as a component of dips and salad sauces.
You can also use it in your favourite diet using your creativity and ideas. Linseed oil has the anti-inflammatory effect and normalises the work of sebaceous glands; hence it is recommended for oily, polluted, acne skin and skin vulnerable to dermatitis.
It is an interesting point that apart from inhibiting the development of bacteria, linseed oil also makes sebaceous gland non-obstructed, mitigates irritations and accelerates regeneration of epidermis, thereby effectively improving the condition of skin and is very well tolerated by the skin. This ingredient is edible so it is a clever and healthy idea to use it for care of dry lips (it may be found in the compositions of certain lipsticks and lip balms). Linseed oil may be also used for massage, but the best way is to use it in combination with other oils because used on its own it may slightly dry the skin off. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) are building materials for cell membranes; they also prevent the excessive loss of water through the epidermis. However, the vitamins contained in linseed oil make the skin remain smooth and sufficiently taut for a long time. Besides, linseed oil is often used for treatment of eczema and psoriatic changes.
We also have good news for gentlemen. Phytohormones contained in linseed oil have a favourable impact on the condition of hair and nails not only of females; in case of males there is one more positive effect: oil compresses limit a negative impact of testosterone and the related balding process.
Self-application of linseed oil is a simple task and does not require any complicated prescriptions. It is enough to spread a fin layer of oil over the skin and after about 30 minutes wipe off all the excess. Linseeds are widely used in daily diet. They may be consumed raw, as an addition to salads, cottage cheeses or natural yogurts. You may sprinkle sandwiches with it, dry-roast it on a frying pan, grind, soak in water or use the linseed oil prepared out of linseeds and use what nature offered us as a gift.
Let?s be as Gandhi who said: ?Wherever linseed is consumed quite regularly, people enjoy good health?.
Lech BARTKOWSKI ? M.Sc. is a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, in the field of chemistry at the Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań. For many years, he worked in the cosmetic, household chemistry and pharmaceutical industries performing many managerial functions. Currently he is using his many years? experience as a specialist and advisor in the Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants in Poznań.
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