The History of
Flax
(Common Flax;
Linum usitatissimum) Common Flax
(Linum usitatissimum)
• Genus Linum, in Linaceae family.
• Annual plant
– grows up to 47 inches
– thin leaves and stems.
– Five-petal blue (to purple) flowers. The origins of Flax
• Originated in the Mediterranean region into
India.
• Used in Egypt to wrap mummies
• Early colonists grew small home plots
• Began to be commercially processed
starting around 1750
• Declined when cotton gin became popular Agriculture and Production
• Flax grows well in temperate and sub-tropical
regions in both hemisphere
– France, Belgium, Russia, China, and Egypt grow a lot
of the fiber flax currently
– Minnesota and the Dakotas grow seed flax in the US
• There are two common types of flax planted Uses
• Fiber
– From Egypt to Modern Industry
• Textiles, rope, paper
• Food
– Human food from seeds, fiber, oil
– Livestock feed
• Pharmacy
– (Omega-3 fatty acids)
– Heart health
– skin treatment and cosmetics
• Also used for ornamental purposes Omega-3 fatty acids
• Omega-3 fatty acids in linseed oil may help
prevent certain cancers.
• Omega-3’s are also helpful for mental
health
• Helps lower cholesterol and regulate blood
pressure
• Flax also has very high level of lignans Many other uses
• Flax in animal feed
– Livestock and chickens
• Aids digestion and
• fortifies eggs
• Flaxseed oil (linseed) also used for oil-painting
agents, specialized paper, particleboard, varnish