Linseed, known as flaxseed in Western markets, has been known for its industrial uses since long. It is widely used for a variety of applications including in paints, varnish, lubricants and similar products as also for wood finishing.

But the world is now discovering what Indians had known long ago, that the seed and oil in it have therapeutic value and deliver health benefits. The two varieties - brown and yellow (golden) - have beneficial nutritional characteristics and contain equal amounts of short-chain omega-3 fatty acids which is believed to be helpful in lowering cholesterol. No wonder, because of high omega content, the seed is becoming increasingly popular in the market place for its expanding role in foods and as nutritional supplement. Flax seed is also fed to chicken, with eggs form those chickens sometimes being marketed as high omega eggs.

Various parts of the plant are used to make products as varied as fabric, dye, medicines, fishing net, hair gel and soap. Linseed oil is also used for edible purposes in a very limited way. Some tribals in Madhya Pradesh are known to use linseed oil for edible purpose. The seeds are milled before being used for edible purposes. Flaxseeds are chemically stable. So, whole and milled seeds can be stored for at least four months at ambient temperature with minimal change in taste, smell or chemical markers of rancidity. High fibre content and relatively high potassium content make linseed attractive for use in baked products as well as in fruit juices. Shredded or chopped seeds are occasionally sprinkled on breakfast cereals or salads. As the seed coat contains high levels of mucilage, flax is sometimes consumed as a laxative. The potential of linseed as anti-cancer agent is being studied. After extraction of oil, the meal is fed to livestock as feed.

Occasionally, flaxseeds are used as bird feed too. It may be seen that processing of linseed is technically simple. Initial investment would be rather limited . The key to success is of course marketing. In India, although linseed is one of the nine major cultivated oilseeds, the oil is perceived more as non-edible or industrial vegetable oil.

Published on May 15, 2011