Flax
(Linum usitatissimum)
common flax, flax seed, linseed, lint bells, winterlien
Description:
This erect, delicate,8-22 inch annual is slender. The glabrous
stem has few branches and bears alternate, sessile, simple,
entire, lanceolate to oblong leaves. Each branch has 1-2 blue
or violet-blue, flat, 5 petaled flowers. The fruit is a 10 seeded
capsule, seeds are smooth, flattened, shiny, oily and brown.
It is cultivated in the U.S., mostly in the northwestern states,
found wild along roadsides, railroad lines, waste places.
Edible,
Medicinal: The seeds are mineral-rich and yields a cold-pressed
oil for cooking. Hot pressed linseed oil is used for artists
and industrial uses. It is a demulcent, emollient, and purgative.
The seeds contain a soothing mucilage. The oil contains essential
fatty acids that help remove heavy metals from the body, reducing
risk of thrombosis. Used for treating nutritional deficiencies.
A decoction of the seeds is used for coughs, lung and chest
problems, digestive, urinary disorders and to eliminate gall
stones.It has been suggested as a possible preventative for
colon cancer Internal overdoses may cause poisoning as can the
immature seed pods. Use only ripe seeds.
