Flaxseed is a great source of healing oil because it contains essential fatty acids (EFA's) - fats and oils critical to health, which the body cannot make on its own therefore it must be consumed as part of a daily diet. One EFA, alpha-linolenic acid, is known as omega-3 fatty acid. Found in fish and flaxseeds, omega-3s have been acclaimed in recent years for protecting against heart disease and for treating many other ailments. Flaxseed also contains omega-6 fatty acids (in the form of linoleic acid) - the same healthy fats present in many vegetable oil.

Forms: Capsules,Softgels, Oil, Powder

Health Benefits:

• Flax is very high in lignans, which have anti-tumor properties (it may help reduce the risk of breast, colon, prostate and possibly skin cancers and studies found that it may help treat women with both early and advanced breast cancer), it may also help against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Gram for gram, flaxseeds boast up to 800 times the lignans than most other foods.
• Flaxseed oil may help facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses, making it potentially useful for numbness and tingling, as well as for chronic brain and nerve ailments, such Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease, or nerve damage from diabetes.
• Flaxseed oil works to lower cholesterol, thereby protecting against heart disease. It may be beneficial in treating angina and high blood pressure as well.
• Flaxseed contain plant-based estrogens (phyto-estrogens) that mimic the female sex hormone estrogen, the oil can have beneficial effects on the menstrual cycle, balancing the ration of estrogen to progesterone.

• It helps to improve uterine function, and can therefore treat infertility problems.
• Flaxseed oil has anti-inflammatory property which helps in the treatment of such conditions as arthritis, lupus, and gout.
• Flaxseed oil can promote well-being in men as well. It has shown some promise in treating male infertility and prostate problems.
• Flaxseed oil can help to prevent or even dissolve gallstones.
• Flaxseed oil also boosts the health of hair and nails and speeds up the healing of skin lesions, so it is effective for everything from acne to sunburn.
• Flaxseed helps to fight fatigue.

Benefits of Flaxseed: Crushed flaxseeds are an excellent natural source of fiber. They add bulk to stools, and their oil also lubricates the stools, making flaxseeds useful for the relief of constipation and diverticular complaints.

Tips:

• Take flaxseed oil with food, which enhances absorption by the body. But don't cook with it, because heat breaks down its nutrients; rather, add it to foods after they're cooked. You can also mix it with juice, yogurt, cottage cheese, or other foods and drinks.
• Buy oil that is packaged in brown glass bottle. Even though it's more expensive, "cold pressed" oil is preferable; when oils are heated during processing, their nutrients are damaged by oxidation.
• Flaxseed oil spoils quickly, so always check the expiry date on the label. To ensure freshness, keep it refrigerated. Don't use oil that has a strong or pungent odor.
• Capsules are a costly way to take the oil: about five are needed to equal 1tsp of oil. But capsules may sometimes be more convenient.

Dosage:

• Liquid flaxseed oil is the easiest way to get a therapeutic amount, which ranges from 1 tsp to 1Tbsp once or twice a day. To get just 1tsp of the oil in capsule form, you'll need to swallow about 5 capsules, each containing 1000mg of oil.
• For flaxseed fiber, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds with a glass of water and drink it up to three times a day; the treatment may take a day or so to act.

Caution:

• Some people are allergic to flaxseed. If you experience difficulty in breathing after taking the supplement, seek immediate medical attention.
• Always take ground flaxseed with plenty of water (a large glass per Tbsp) to prevent it from swelling up and blocking your throat or digestive tract.
• Flaxseed oil is also called linseed oil - but never ingests the industrial varieties sold at hardware shops. They are not intended for consumption and may contain toxic additives.