Since ancient times, man has learned to grow white flax for his needs. This plant was revered for its versatility. Flax has been used to make clothes, in cooking, and as a medicine. The history of its cultivation dates back to the Iron Age.
Description
This is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Flax family. On the territory of Russia, it is grown in two types - Shrovetide flax and fiber flax. The first is famous for its seeds, which contain a very large amount of fatty oils. Fiber flax stalks contain flax fiber, which is used as a raw material for the textile industry.
The height of this plant ranges from 60 cm to 1.5 meters. Its flowers are unusually beautiful - pale blue, sometimes white or pinkish. But still the plant was called "white flax".
The botanical description of the inflorescences notes their similarity to a loose gyrus, resembling a curl. Flowers (up to 2.5 cm in diameter) with maple-shaped, slightly corrugated petals are located on long pedicels.
Linear leaves are placed on the stem in a spiral and are covered with a mild bloom. The tap root with numerous short branches is located not very deep in the soil. Seeds usually ripen in late summer. They have an ovoid shape with a sharp apex, strongly flattened. Their color can be light brown, greenish yellow and even golden.
Features of growing white flax
The most suitable soils for the cultivation of this crop are loamy and sod-podzolic. Flax grows especially well in areas after previous potato plantings. Sowing is carried out in the first half of May, when the soil warms up to a temperature of 8-10 ⁰С, to a depth of 2 centimeters. The soil is periodically loosened, removing the crust so that the sprouts freely come to the surface. When the stem length reaches 8 cm, you can apply top dressing in the form of potassium and nitrogen fertilizers.
White flax is a moisture-loving plant that requires at least 150 mm of water for the entire growing season, which lasts 70–90 days. Favorable temperature for growing flax is 15–18 ⁰С. In hot and sunny weather, the stem branches, and the quality properties of the fiber deteriorate significantly.
Useful properties of flax
In terms of taste and nutritional value, flax with golden seeds is more preferable than with brown seeds.
Regular consumption of sprouts of this culture helps with cardiovascular diseases, thrombophlebitis, improves immunity,cleanses the body of toxins and toxins. Flax white has a bactericidal, wound healing, analgesic, expectorant and laxative effect.
Composition of Flaxseed
White flax is an excellent source of vitamins and microelements for the human body. The composition of its seeds contains very valuable polyunsaturated fatty acids necessary for the normal functioning of the body. By the number of amino acids, flaxseed is not inferior to soy. The increased content of vegetable fiber helps to reduce the risk of neoplasms. In addition, the presence in flaxseed of plant phenolic compounds such as lignans, which are powerful antioxidants, prevents the development of cancer.
Flax seed is rich in vitamin F, which is involved in fat and cholesterol metabolism. The presence of vitamins A and E provides a positive effect on the skin, thanks to which white flax has become widespread as one of the components of various cosmetics.
Flax seeds are a source of selenium, a substance that prevents the formation of tumors, improves brain function and vision. It also perfectly frees the body from s alts of heavy metals.
Using white linen
Before use, flaxseed, as a rule, is finely ground and used immediately, because, in contact with air, it oxidizes very quickly. Crushed seeds are recommended to be mixed with jam or honey in equal proportions. They are added to cereals, salads, consumed together with dairy products.products. The seeds do not require pre-soaking, this process must take place directly in the intestines.
For the purpose of prevention, take up to 5 g of seeds per day. If they are used to treat any disease, the dosage is approximately 50 g per day (2 tablespoons in the morning and evening).
White linen is used in various economic sectors. The value and use of it as a raw material for the manufacture of high-quality fabrics is especially great. Oil, which contains flax in large quantities, is widely used both in cooking and for technical purposes.
Contraindications
It is important to know that oil made from fiber flax seeds is not recommended as it may contain chemicals. Such a product is more suitable for technical purposes.
It's a completely different matter - oil-bearing white flax. A description of the process of preparing its seeds for consumption is given above. Growing in the southern regions, the crop does not require the use of herbicides and has a high nutritional value.
Preparations made on the basis of white flax are contraindicated in case of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, a tendency to diarrhea. Any treatment should be carried out in courses. It is not recommended to take products containing white flax for a long time. In some cases, the use of flax seeds may cause unpleasant pain in the liver. Caution must also be exercised by people suffering from gallstone disease.
