Linseed Oil

Linseed oil, also called flax oil or flaxseed oil, is made from flax seeds that have been ground and pressed to release their natural oil.

This health-promoting oil has a wide array of uses, varying from cooking to skin care. [2]

History of linseed and flax

Linseed is a short stemmed plant, and like flax is a cultivar of linum usitatissimum, which in latin means: most beneficial. Linseed has actually been utilized for thousands of years. Although the crucial difference between them is linseed, unlike flax, puts all of its intrinsic energy into producing linseed (seeds).

Our linseed is grown to produce oil but the seed is used in an array of food products and is classed as superfood due to it’s rich material of important fats omega 3 and omega 6, but all the minerals and vitamins and the fact it is high fiber, low carb, gluten free, low gi (glycemic index) and has the greatest content of lignan than any other seed. This is why fresh linseed ought to be a part of everyone’s diet plan!

Linseed has been grown and used for thousands of years and can be gone back to the neolithic times. Utilized as an addition to food in either entire or ground form (grated for us, as the husk of the seed requires breaking to launch all the goodness inside. The entire seed will go through as roughage otherwise) or the seed can be cold pressed to produce linseed oil (likewise offered as flaxseed oil).

Laws were passed requiring individuals to take in linseed (flax) for its health benefits by king charlemagne in the 8th century.

Linseed was one of the original medicines, utilized by hippocrates the greek physician as a relief to intestinal tract abdominal pains. Hippocrates notoriously priced quote “let food be thy medication and medicine be thy food”!

Muhatma gandhi priced estimate “any place linseed (flaxseed) ends up being a popular food product among individuals, there will health”!

Flax

The flax plant (not the linseed plant) is a plant grown for its stem, it has far fewer seeds than linseed and was pulled by hand before the seed ripened. Individuals growing it would save a part of their crop so future seed stocks were offered. Flax is a fibre plant and for that reason great for making rope, string and clearly linen and an entire selection of other uses. It goes back as far as the neolithic times some 6,000 years ago. In ancient egypt the mummies would have been all wrapped in a linen made from flax.

Flax and linseed are members of the exact same household, linum usitatissimum. They are both ancient plants used for thousands of years. Flax has actually been utilized most typically in the linen market. Irish linen was world well-known however is an industry that has now basically disappeared, perhaps due to the increase of cotton.

The five processes of making linen to flax are: pulling, retting, breaking, scutching, heckling (hackling) and spinning.

The barbour brothers co. Developed in 1784 who produced the “strongest, best and best linen thread in the world” spoke about the kinds of hand and their qualities. Which is interesting! What kind of hand do you have?

Likewise in 1895, to commemorate 111 years of progress they issued a set of 12 dolls to be gathered which we have in our linseed & & flax museum and believed we would show you. [3]

Benefits

Although researchers have actually performed more research into flaxseed than flaxseed oil, some studies into the oil do reveal appealing outcomes.

The possible benefits of flaxseed oil include:.

Minimizing cholesterol

Comparable to flaxseed, flaxseed oil might help lower cholesterol levels. The ala in flaxseed oil might play a role in decreasing low-density lipoprotein (ldl), or “bad,” cholesterol.

In one small research study involving 15 adults, the individuals taken in either flaxseed oil or corn oil once each day with supper.

Scientist measured the participants’ cholesterol levels at the start of the study and again 12 weeks later.

Those who took in the corn oil had no change in their cholesterol levels, while those who consumed the flaxseed oil had a significant decline in ldl.

Battling cancer

Flaxseed oil may help fight certain types of cancer. Although a lot more research study is required to draw a certain conclusion, some animal research studies are motivating.

One study on mice with lung growths found that those that consumed a 10 percent flaxseed diet plan had fewer growths compared with those in the control group.

Scientists have actually likewise studied results of flaxseed and flaxseed oil on other types of cancer.

One literature evaluation indicates that in animal research studies, the fat in flaxseed oil might reduce breast growth size and growth, along with promote cancer cell death.

Dealing with atopic dermatitis

Flaxseed oil might also have advantages for the skin and hair, such as minimizing a few of the signs of atopic dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema, which is a long-lasting condition that causes red and itchy skin.

One research study took a look at the impact of flaxseed oil intake on mice with dermatitis. After 3 weeks, the mice had actually reduced dermatitis signs, such as redness, swelling, and itching.

Decreasing diabetes threat

Flaxseed oil might also assist decrease the risk of diabetes. One 2015 organized evaluation examined research studies to identify the impact of flaxseed oil in people with diabetes.

One research study involved 25 individuals who had prediabetes. These participants were either ladies experiencing menopause or guys who were overweight. They consumed either 13 grams (g) or 26 g of flaxseed daily for 12 weeks.

After 12 weeks, those who took in 13 g of flaxseed had a decreased blood glucose levels. Those who ate higher dosages of flaxseed did not experience any modifications.

Researchers are not exactly sure why the high-dose group did not have any modifications. While flaxseed oil might have a positive effect in people with prediabetes, larger and more thorough studies are required to confirm conclusions.

Reducing inflammation

In one meta-analysis, flaxseed and its derivatives reduced circulating c-reactive protein, which is a marker of swelling. However, these results were just present in adults who were obese. [4]

9 myths about linseed oil and flaxseed oil

1. Linseed oil is different from flaxseed oil

Nope. It’s the same product from the same part of the exact same plant– the seeds of linum usitatissimum. It’s the same plant that produces flax, which is woven into linen fabric. It all comes down to an amusing practice of the english language to keep 2 words for the same plant or animal, one from french/latin (in this case “linen” and the “lin” in linseed) and another from old english/germanic languages (flax). Often the words have different connotations and uses, such as mutton and sheep. In this case, “linseed oil” typically explains the product used for art and wood ending up, while “flaxseed oil” is commonly utilized in the u.s. for the food product.

2. Linseed oil is no better for wood than olive, soybean or any other oil

Wrong. Linseed oil is one of a number of “drying oils” that convert to a polymer in the presence of oxygen. This happens slowly, and obviously not to the same degree of solidifying as varnish or epoxy, however it’s enough to produce a light surface that rests right on the external part of the wood grain. Artists’ oil paints have traditionally been based upon linseed oil. It’s also essential for cricket bats, as we gained from our customers.

3. Linseed oil is for painters, not for the kitchen area

Not precisely. It holds true that raw linseed oil is offered in hardware stores for contributing to paint or wood ending up, and those cans of oil might not be suitable for cutting boards or intake. Yet linseed oil can be utilized in the kitchen as long as it’s made in a food-safe procedure, not a commercial procedure that could leave chemical residue. Read the fine print on websites and item details. For instance, this business states its popular linseed oil should not be utilized on cutting boards, so best to keep it out of your kitchen area and dining room.

4. Linseed oil includes hazardous plant toxic substances

Not really. It’s true that various solid food supplements made from flaxseed can include appreciable amounts of chemicals associated with cyanide, but that’s likewise true for other typical plant materials utilized as food and shouldn’t be a problem if consumed as part of a healthy, balanced diet plan. Anyway, in clinical research studies it’s entire crushed linseed– not the oil– that has actually typically raised eyebrows for consisting of cyanogenic glycosides.

5. Linseed oil smells bad

No, the much better kinds of cold-pressed linseed oil have a very mild aroma, nearly unnoticeable compared with commercial varieties, which frequently have a fairly significant nutty aroma or perhaps a chemical fragrance. Boiled linseed oil, on the other hand, smells faintly of artists’ paints. The taste of linseed oil is affected by its preparedness to combine with oxygen, so some explain the taste of not-so-fresh oil as rancid. Scandinavians and others obviously commemorate the taste as a conventional part of their diet plan. If you’re using excellent oil on cutting boards, rubbing out the excess and letting it dry then you’re most likely not going to discover any extra taste or flavor at all in your food.

6. Mineral oil is much better than plant oils for wood spoons and cutting boards

No, it really depends upon the plant oil. Linseed oil and other drying plant oils are really ideal for wooden kitchenware. In fact, many individuals prevent mineral oil and paraffin because they’re derived from petroleum. Still, all are based upon the exact same household hydrocarbons.

7. Boiled linseed oil is simply prepared flaxseed oil

Not constantly. Generally “boiled linseed oil,” as opposed to raw linseed oil consists of poisonous metal-based drying drivers utilized to accelerate the drying of linseed oil for paints and surfaces. A couple of business, including treeboard, offer a boiled linseed oil that’s in fact produced by heating linseed oil, making it polymerized, or partially developed into a plastic-like solid. This is the only kind of boiled linseed oil that’s suitable for cooking area applications.

8. Unlike varnish, linseed oil does not impact wood’s look

Not real. Linseed oil, particularly the raw variety, leaks into the grain of wood and darkens it, especially gradually. Normally this is very desirable, however if you choose light-colored wood then select another oil.

9. There’s no requirement to oil my butcher blocks and wooden spoons

Please oil your wooden kitchenware! Oiling wood, which is constantly permeable to some degree, helps stay out liquids and food that might harbor bacteria. Cycles of deep moistening and drying can break wood and ruin your kitchen heirloom. Oiling is particularly essential for the end grain (the side of the wood that can absorb the most liquid). Take a look at our suggestions for keeping your cutting boards tidy. [5]

History of linseed oil paint

Why does paint fail today? We are dealing with an epidemic of paint failure in america today. Lots of specialists and property owner are examining the massive amount of info offered on the web and somewhere else. Paint companies are presenting brand-new chemical paint items to discover an option to the enormous problem of paint failure. The concern is made more complicated than is needs to be. The issue is the paint and not the surface it is painted on.

Petroleum paint is today replaced with acrylic paints because of the removal of solvents (voc’s). Acrylic paint on an outside of a home, especially an old house without an interior vapor barrier will suffer extensively. The paint will trap wetness on the inside of the walls making the wood rot from the within as the paint starts failing. This is the hart of the problem. All these contemporary acrylic paints do not breathe enough. Any wood replacement items from hardy-planks (clapboard exterior siding made from a cement substance) to vinyl siding does not solve the upkeep nightmare; it just shifts to a new product that still has to be kept.

What is interesting is that when you research study material that was utilized 100 years back, the word “paint failure” seldom comes up. Why? Paint 100 years ago before all the fancy chemically made paint items were presented, linseed oil paint was used. It did not have any of the problems. Linseed oil paint is plainly an outstanding option that is long enduring, with very long history and consist of absolutely no chemicals.

Paint failure was unidentified 100 years back. Paint utilized before the 1920’s contained mostly pigment, boiled linseed oil. Lead was later on thoroughly used till it was found to be causing serious diseases. Lead has actually been replaced given that 1978 in the usa and given that the 1940 in europe. The paint did not build up on the outside of the wood surface area and the linseed oil enabled any moisture in the wood to quickly leave. This eliminated any opportunity of paint failure (paint flaking & & peeling). Linseed oil paint preserved the wood very well. We can see evidence of this in numerous a century old buildings in europe and in the united states. Problems with paint were not common throughout the 1800’s and early 1900’s. The paint job lasted much longer than it does today.

The introduction of contemporary paint. In the 1940’s after the 2nd world war, the paint manufacturing industry moved far from the old tried and real methods of making linseed oil paint and started heavily promoting chemical, petroleum and solvent based paints. These brand-new paint products were extremely affordable to make however did not hold up well, making it required to repaint every few years. This was a best item for the paint industry, but not for the customer.

When the introduction of the brand-new petroleum paint items started to be marketed in the early 1900’s, the arguments for the brand-new kind of oil paint were primarily:.

Drying time was declared to be much shorter. – today, drying time has to do with the very same for linseed oil paint along with petroleum based oil paint. You can paint every 24 hr.

Brilliant brand-new colors. Extremely bright colors are not easily possible with linseed oil paint, but the linseed oil paint colors are considerably longer long lasting. Linseed oil paint can last 50 to 100 years with minimal upkeep. Maintain with the cleansed natural boiled linseed oil and the linseed oil wax. The last coat will work as the sacrificial coat.

New high gloss surface area. A high gloss can be attained with linseed oil paint by adding simply a small amount of linseed oil varnish (also a totally natural item) to the linseed oil paint or by using a linseed oil varnish as a top coat.

Modern paint. A major distinction in contemporary paints is the modification in binder from the used of natural boiled linseed oil to alkyd oil which is typically stemmed from soybean and safflower oil. Use of artificial resins, such as acrylics and epoxies, has ended up being widespread in paint manufacture in the last 30 years of so. Acrylic resin emulsions in latex paints, with water slimmers, have actually likewise become typical.

Today we know the damaging results of direct exposure to chemicals and solvents. So why utilize them in paint if they are totally unnecessary? With the awareness of the risk of petroleum items in the environment, we are entering a brand-new period for the painting market. Legislation has been prepared to remove petroleum based oil paint from the marketplace and to ban solvents in paint.

Other environmental dangers. Mildecides and fungicides prevailed and popular up until their environmental dangers were seen to surpass their advantages. New formulas which slow down the development of the mildew and fungis are being used. Lead was eliminated after 1978 in north america and in the 1940’s in europe. Most recently, volatile organic solvents in oil paint and slimmers have been categorized as ecologically hazardous.

Returning to linseed oil. The oil pressing market vanished back in the early sixties and today. Farm pushing of the flax seeds are primarily carried out in the northern europe, saskatchewan canada and in north and south dakota in the united states. The canadian producers export most of the flax seeds. Little regional producers manufacture linseed oil and to a big extent bottle it for use in outdoor wood conservation.

A safe paint is readily available again. Through the rediscovery of ancient wisdom, there is finally an option to contemporary paint threats and failure. Linseed oil paint, linseed oil putty, purified linseed oil, linseed oil wax, linseed oil soap and linseed oil varnish are totally compatible chemistry, making solvents unnecessary in any step of the painting procedure. These are the very best and best materials readily available to protect our wood structures for future generations. [6]

Customized linseed oils

Stand oil

Stand oil is generated by heating linseed oil near 300 ° c for a couple of days in the total lack of air. Under these conditions, the polyunsaturated fatty esters convert to conjugated dienes, which then undergo diels-alder reactions, resulting in crosslinking. The item, which is highly viscous, gives extremely uniform coatings that “dry” to more flexible finishings than linseed oil itself. Soybean oil can be dealt with similarly, however transforms more gradually. On the other hand, tung oil converts extremely quickly, being complete in minutes at 260 ° c. Coatings prepared from stand oils are less susceptible to yellowing than are coatings derived from the moms and dad oils.

Boiled linseed oil

Boiled linseed oil is a mix of raw linseed oil, stand oil, and metallic oil drying representatives (catalysts to speed up drying). In the medieval age, linseed oil was boiled with lead oxide (litharge) to offer a product called boiled linseed oil. The lead oxide kinds lead “soaps” (lead oxide is alkaline) which promotes hardening (polymerisation) of linseed oil by response with climatic oxygen. Heating reduces its drying time.

Raw linseed oil

Raw linseed oil is the base oil, unprocessed and without driers or thinners. It is mainly utilized as a feedstock for making a boiled oil. It does not treat adequately well or quickly to be considered as a drying oil. Raw linseed is often used for oiling cricket bats to increase surface friction for much better ball control. It was also utilized to treat leather flat belt drives to decrease slipping. [7]

Possible negative effects

When taken in the best doses and in the short term, flaxseed oil is usually safe for most grownups. Big doses can cause diarrhea and loose stools. Allergic reactions are also possible.

A 2010 research study in the american journal of medical nutrition recommends that ala can increase the risk of prostate cancer or promote tumor growth. Additional research study reveals ala from animal-based foods that are high in hydrogenated fats might be linked to prostate cancer.

However ala itself may not be the perpetrator. Other substances in those foods, such as the hormones and pesticides in meat, might promote tumor development.

Nevertheless, much of this research is speculative and other research study recommends flaxseed can actually benefit males’s prostate health.

Anybody who is concerned about the results of flaxseed oil on their prostate must talk to their doctor before including flaxseed oil to their diet.

There is limited evidence on the safety of flaxseed oil when applied topically on skin or hair. Nevertheless, a little research study of a topical flaxseed oil gel discovered it safe and reliable for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Contraindications

People who should not utilize flaxseed oil consist of:.

• Pregnant women: it may have negative impacts in pregnancy, including an increased risk for early birth.
• Children: there has actually not sufficed proof on the safety of flaxseed oil when taken by children, although it is likely safe for kids to take in small amounts of flaxseed.
• Breastfeeding moms: there isn’t adequate reliable info about the security of flaxseed oil for females who are breastfeeding.
• Individuals with bleeding disorders: there is some argument about whether flaxseed oil might increase the danger of bleeding. If you have a bleeding disorder, speak with your doctor prior to using flaxseed oil in food, in supplement type, or as a topical treatment.
• Surgery: flaxseed oil should be stopped a minimum of 2 weeks before surgery and throughout the preliminary recovery period to prevent bleeding.16
• Individuals taking blood clotting drugs: taking flaxseed oil with medications that decrease blood clot (such as aspirin, diclofenac, or warfarin) might increase the threat of bleeding and bruising.
• Ask your doctor if a flaxseed oil supplement is right for you.

Dose and preparations

There are no basic dosing guidelines for flaxseed oil. The suggested dose varies based upon the producer.

Flaxseed oil is readily available as an oil used in cooking and in gelcap supplements. Here are some methods to utilize it:.

• Use as a salad oil, or in cold sauces.
• Contribute to juice, shakes, or smoothies.
• Do not use in stir-fries or when baking. When exposed to heat, the oil can form damaging chemicals.18
• Apply it topically or add it to your favorite skin cream to increase moisture in the skin and improve skin health.
• Apply to hair to promote growth and shine. [8]

Interactions

Possible interactions consist of:.

• Anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These kinds of drugs, herbs and supplements minimize blood clot. Flaxseed oil also may decrease blood clotting. It’s possible that taking flaxseed oil may increase the risk of bleeding.
• Blood pressure drugs, herbs and supplements. Flaxseed oil might lower high blood pressure. Taking flaxseed oil with drugs, herbs and supplements that lower high blood pressure may decrease blood pressure excessive.
• Diabetes drugs. Flaxseed may decrease blood sugar level levels. Taking flaxseed with diabetes drugs or herbs or supplements with hypoglycemic potential may reduce blood sugar level excessive.
• Flaxseed might have an anti-estrogen effect. Taking flaxseed might reduce the impacts of oral contraceptive drugs and estrogen replacement therapy.
• Oral drugs. Taking flaxseed may reduce absorption of oral drugs. Consider taking oral drugs and flaxseed an hour or two apart. [9]

The bottom line

Flaxseed oil originates from flaxseed (linum usitatissimum). It is an excellent source of a necessary omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ala). The alpha-linolenic acid and other chemicals in flaxseed oil seem to reduce swelling, which is why some people utilize it for conditions that involve inflammation, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Flaxseed oil is utilized for cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and lots of other conditions, but there is no good clinical proof to support these uses. [10]

References

1. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/linseed%20oil
2. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/flaxseed-oil-benefits
3. https://thelinseedfarm.co.uk/linseed/history-of-linseed-flax
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323745#benefits
5. https://treeboard.com/blog/nine-myths-about-linseed-oil-and-flaxseed-oil/
6. https://www.solventfreepaint.com/info/history_linseed_paint.htm
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/linseed_oil
8. https://www.verywellhealth.com/flaxseed-oil-health-benefits-how-to-use-and-cautions-4178046#toc-possible-side-effects
9. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-flaxseed-and-flaxseed-oil/art-20366457
10. Https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-990/flaxseed-oil