Flaxseed, or linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), comes from the flax plant, which is an annual herb. It is one of the ancient cultivated crops since Mesopotamian times, grown for its oil seeds and fiber. Its chewy seeds are packed with full of nutrients, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, minerals, and essential vitamins. Of late, health benefits of flax have widely drawn the attention of nutrition researchers as well as health enthusiasts alike across the planet. Seeds are commonly consumed in one of three ways: whole seed, ground seed (powder or meal), or flaxseed oil.
| Name | Flaxseed |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Linum usitatissimum |
| Native | Native to regions of the Middle East and India. |
| Common/English Name | Common flax, cultivated flax, flax, linseed, lint bells, linum |
| Name in Other Languages | English: Flax Swahili: Kitani French: Lin Portuguese: Linhaça Italian: Lino Spanish: Lino Hawaiian: lilina Swedish: Lin Chinese: Ya ma Korean: Ama Arabic: Kettan German: Flachs |
| Plant Growth Habit | Erect, Annual or Perennial plant |
| Growing Climate | Flourishes well both in tropical as well as subtropical climates |
| Soil | Thrives in deep moist soils rich in sand, silt, and clay. |
| Plant Size | 1.2 m (3 ft. 11 in) tall |
| Root | Strong taproot that can grow to the depth of 3 to 4 feet. |
| Stem | Slender stems |
| Leaf | Glaucous green, simple, slender lanceolate leaves with smooth edges, 20–40 mm long, and 3 mm broad alternately arranged on the stem. |
| Flower | Pure pale blue, 15–25 mm in diameter, with five petals. |
| Fruit | Round, dry capsule 5–9 mm in diameter, |
| Seed Shape & Size | Smooth, glossy surface and flat shape that somewhat appear like sesame seeds, but quite larger, measuring about 5–7 mm in length |
| Seed Color | Yellow, greenish, green-brownish, brown or very dark (almost black) |
| Flavor/Aroma | Mild nutty flavor |
| Taste | Nutty yet pleasantly sweet Taste |
| Major Nutrition | Total Fat (lipid) 217.96 g (622.74%) Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 20.3 µg (16.92%) Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) 1.02 mg (6.80%) Zinc, Zn 0.15 mg (1.36%) Protein 0.24 g (0.48%) Phosphorus, P 2 mg (0.29%) Calcium, Ca 2 mg (0.20%) Choline 0.4 mg (0.07%) |
| Health Benefits |
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| Calories in 1 cup (218 gm) | 1927 K cal |