What is white flax? Useful properties, description and application

Since ancient times man has learned for his needs to grow white flax. This plant was revered for its multifunctionality. Flax was used for making clothes, cooking and as a remedy. The history of his cultivation began in the Iron Age.

Description

This herb is a plant belonging to the family Flax. On the territory of Russia is grown in two forms - Maslenik flax and dolgunets. The first is famous for its seeds, containing a very large amount of fatty oils. In the stems of flax-dolguntsa there is a flax fiber, which serves as raw material for the textile industry.

The height of this plant varies from 60 cm to 1.5 meters. Extremely beautiful are his flowers - soft blue, sometimes white or pinkish. But still the plant was called "white flax".

The botanical description of the inflorescence marks their similarity to a loose gyrus, reminiscent of a curl. Flowers (up to 2.5 cm in diameter) with maple-shaped, slightly corrugated petals are located on long pedicels.

Linear leaves are placed on the stalk in a spiral and covered with a slight touch. The rod root with numerous short branches is not very deep in the soil. Seeds usually ripen in late summer. They have an ovoid shape with a sharp apex, strongly oblate. Their coloration can be light brown, greenish-yellow and even golden.

Features of growing white flax

The most suitable soils for cultivation of this crop are loamy and sod-podzolic. Particularly good is flax growing on the plots after the previous planting of potatoes. The sowing is carried out in the first half of May, when the soil warms up to a temperature of 8-10 ° C, to a depth of up to 2 centimeters. The soil is periodically loosened, removing the crust so that the shoots freely come to the surface. When the length of the stem reaches 8 cm, it is possible to apply top dressing in the form of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers.

The white flax is a water-loving plant, requiring at least 150 mm of water for the whole period of vegetation, which lasts 70-90 days. Favorable temperature for growing flax is 15-18 ⁰С. In hot and sunny weather, the stem branches, and the quality properties of the fiber deteriorate substantially.

Useful properties of flax

According to taste and nutritional value, flax with golden seeds is more preferable than with brown ones.

Regular consumption of sprouts of this culture helps in cardiovascular diseases, thrombophlebitis, increases immunity, cleans the body of toxins and toxins. Linen white has bactericidal, wound healing, analgesic, expectorant and laxative effects.

Composition of flaxseed

An excellent source of vitamins and microelements for the human body is white flax. The composition of its seeds contains very valuable polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are necessary for the normal vital activity of the body. By the number of amino acids, flaxseed is not inferior to soy. Increased content of plant fiber helps reduce the risk of new growth. In addition, the presence of plant phenolic compounds in linseed, such as lignans, which are powerful antioxidants, hampers the development of cancer.

Rich in flax seed and vitamin F, participating in fat and cholesterol metabolism. The presence of vitamins A and E provides a positive effect on the skin, resulting in white flax spreading as one of the components of various cosmetics.

Flax seeds are a source of selenium, a substance that prevents the formation of tumors, which improves brain function and vision. It also perfectly liberates the body from the salts of heavy metals.

Application of white linen

Before use, flaxseed is usually finely ground and used immediately, because, when it comes into contact with air, it is very quickly oxidized. Shredded seeds should be mixed with jam or honey in equal proportions. They are added to cereals, salads, eat with dairy products. Preliminary maceration does not require seeds, this process must take place directly in the intestine.

For the prevention of taking up to 5 grams of seeds per day. If they are used to treat any disease, the dosage is approximately 50 g per day (2 tablespoons morning and evening).

In various economic branches, white flax is used. Value and its use as a raw material for the production of high-quality fabrics is especially great. Oil, which contains lots of flax, is widely used in cooking and for technical purposes.

Contraindications

It is important to know that eating oil made from flax seeds is not recommended, since it may contain chemicals. Such a product is more suitable for technical purposes.

It is quite another matter - oil-bearing white flax. The process of preparing its seeds for use is described above. Growing in southern regions, the culture does not require the use of herbicides and has a high nutritional value.

Preparations made on the basis of white flax are contraindicated in cases of abnormalities in the work of the gastrointestinal tract, propensity to diarrhea. Any treatment should be conducted by courses. Long-term use of products containing white flax is not recommended. In some cases, the use of flax seeds can cause unpleasant pain in the liver. Care must also be taken for people suffering from cholelithiasis.