I often add flax seeds, or linseed to whatever I am eating, salads, cereals, cakes, bread… nice and crunchy and very good for you! Flax is actually an amazing plant and is useful in so many different ways, no wonder so many farmers grow it now.
here are some interesting facts, not all of which I knew:
- flax was one of the earliest plants to be cultivated, and there is evidence of this going back 10,000 years, and being used as a fibre and yarn as well as for its seeds
- Charlemagne had a law that his subjects should eat linseed because of its health-giving properties
- linseeds are one of the richest sources of Omega-3
- apparently linseeds help stiff and painful joints, asthma, allergies. cholesterol levels, constipation, eczema…
- linen is made from flax – going right back to the times of ancient Egypt; there was linen found in the tomb of Tutankhamen
- 1/5 of the world’s linseed is grown in the UK
- the adjective ‘flaxen’ comes from flax
- linseeds should be chewed thoroughly… not just swallowed whole
I like them because they are tasty!
Lois Elsden 
Thanks for this informative piece Lois -I have just bought a couple of packs of linseeds and started adding to my home meade bread – very nice. Was very interested to read this – will have to search for more ideas for how to use 🙂
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They are so versatile… sprinkle on salads or put in coleslaw for a lovely crunch!
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will enjoy experimenting with them! thanks 🙂
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Can you smoke it and what are the effects? Isn’t cannabis a variery of flax or was that hemp?
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