Member-only story
As one of the oldest crops for food and fibres in the world, flax or linseed has been a part of our lives since civilisation began. In fact, the earliest evidence of humans using wild flax was found in the present-day region of the Republic of Georgia, where dyed, spun, and knotted flax fibres were discovered in the Dzudzuana Cave, dating back 30,000 years.
The plant prefers cool conditions, generally has blue flowers and two distinct forms of seeds; golden and brown. Both are edible and contain incredible properties that aid good health.
Not only are the seeds great for creating quality textiles, they are rich in protein and fibre, and low in carbohydrates, they have minimal saturates and are lauded as a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. While our bodies can make most types of fats it requires from the products of digestion, we cannot make critical omega-3 fatty acids.
These are essential for the maintenance of our cell membranes, in particular the specialised cells that make up our nervous system. They are also important in the production of hormones that regulate blood clotting, the contraction and relaxation of artery walls and in controlling inflammation. In addition to this, essential fatty acids play a crucial part in the expression of our genes. Suffice to say that they are a really…