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Linseed oil can be used as food, furniture polish and in oil paints. Understand

Image by JCoahgne, available on Flickr under CC BY 2.0 license

Flaxseed oil is extracted from flax seed (Linum usitatissium L.), a plant belonging to the family Linaceae, originating in Asia, reaching heights of up to 1.30 meters. The fiber is extracted from the flax husk (a raw material in the manufacture of fabrics) and the seeds are extracted from the capsules. Despite being a very famous seed for those looking for a source of fiber and nutrients, most of the linseed production is destined for the oil industry, for dyeing and for animal feed.

The region with the largest national production of linseed is Rio Grande do Sul, generating 21 tons per year, but Canada leads as the largest linseed producer in the world (it generates around 1000 tons per year). To learn about the benefits of flaxseed, take a look at the article: "Laxseed: 11 Proven Benefits".

Linseed oil

About 40% of flaxseed weight is oil. Approximately 30% (by mass) of the seed consists of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which arouses interest in the extraction and commercialization of flaxseed oil.

The linseed oil extraction process is simple. Through cold pressing, the flaxseeds are pressed without changing the temperature, and then the crude oil is extracted. After the refining process, a clear yellow oil is obtained.

Among the compounds responsible for the many benefits of flaxseed oil is linolenic acid (omega 3), a fatty acid present in greater amounts in flaxseed oil, with linoleic acid being the one found in the smallest amount. In addition to polyunsaturated fatty acids, there is also the presence of monounsaturated ones, such as palmitoleic, oleic, gadoleic, erucic and nervonic, and saturated ones, such as capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic and many others.

Unlike most vegetable oils, flaxseed oil has much more omega 3 than omega 6, making it an excellent source of omega 3 - especially for vegetarians and vegans. After the industrial revolution, there was an excessive consumption of omega 6, but the balance between omega 3 and 6 is extremely important.

Studies have used flaxseed oil to treat Sjögren's syndrome, or "dry eye". Although not conclusive, there is evidence that the oral use of flaxseed oil helps to combat "dry eye" symptoms, reducing inflammation of the ocular surface. There are also studies showing that physical training along with the administration of flaxseed oil can increase bone mass, preventing osteoporosis.

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Linseed Oil Applications

Flaxseed oil has several very different applications. Let's look at some:

• One of the applications is in dyes, being added to oil paints to make them more fluid;
• Linseed oil can be applied as a coating to wood, penetrating the pores of the wood and making it shinier;
• As an edible oil, flaxseed oil is recommended as a seasoning for foods, as it has similar benefits to fish oil;
• Flaxseed oil can also be consumed in capsule form, the amount being administered by a reliable health professional - don't forget to consult one before starting to ingest any type of concentrated substance.

Where to find and care

Thanks to its high content of omega 3, flaxseed oil is recommended to maintain the balance between omega 3 and omega 6 in the body, because, even with the great benefits that these substances can provide, the balance between them is extremely necessary. A balanced diet, always respecting the balance of nutrients and fatty acids, is the most recommendable. Understand why consuming too much omega 3 can be harmful.

Flaxseed oil is one of the best vegetable oils available, having health benefits through its use in cooking. However, before using it, make sure that the product is 100% natural and pure, free from components that can be harmful to health. Usually, products containing flaxseed oil can also have harmful substances in order to improve some physical aspect of the product and even its lifespan.

Disposal of oil

It is also worth mentioning that the improper disposal of any type of oil causes serious environmental impacts, especially in terms of water contamination. Thus, the disposal of vegetable oils in drains and sinks is inadequate, as it can cause several environmental risks, in addition to clogging the pipes. Therefore, in case of disposal, look for the correct location for these products, place the linseed oil residue in a plastic container and take it to a disposal point so that the oil can be recycled.

Find the nearest oil disposal point. You can also use the linseed oil used to make high quality soap - learn the recipe in the article "How to make sustainable homemade soap".