Flax Seed (Linum Usitatissimum) Flour

Description ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Flax Seed (Linum Usitatissimum) Flour HERB COMMON NAME :  Flax Seed HERB SCIENTIFIC NAME :  Linum Usitatissimum OTHER NAMES :  Linseed FAMILY :  Linaceae ASSOCIATIONS & CORRESPONDENCES : Element: Fire Planet: Mercury Direction: South Energy: Yang Gender: Masculine Rune: Dagaz, Wyn Sabbat or Holiday: Imbolc, Candlemas (February 1 -2), Beltane, Walpurgis (April 30 – May 1) Deity or God / Goddess Association: Frigg, Hulda / Hulde, Freya   Parts Used:  Seed Description:  Flax is a Super Food, an ancient crop that now grows all over the world. The seed is a powerful Super Food, a nutritious snack and additive to grains, cereals and cooked foods. In addition to added flavor and texture, flax seed enhances foods with significant levels of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Whole seeds should be ground before ingesting, as they are too hard to digest and will pass through the body without delivering any nutrients. Adding one tablespoon to yogurt, cereal, sauces, soups, or a smoothie can give you the fiber you need for the day. Flax should not be cooked at high heat, but can be added to dishes once removed from the stove. It should be used with plenty of water. Flax oil will not add fiber to your diet, but will provide the omega-3 fatty acids. Historical Uses:  SUPER FOOD, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, fiber supplement, constipation, gastritis, enteritis, laxative, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, possibly effective aid in treating type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, helps some autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), treats osteoporosis, helps enlarged prostate, heart disease, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, symptoms of menopause, weight loss, diverticulitis, ADHD, some cancers, repairs skin cells, helps wrinkles, irritated skin, psoriasis, dry skin, eczema, emollient, moisturizing Mystical Attributes:  Flax is dedicated to the goddess Hulda, who first taught mortals to cultivate it, spin it into thread, and weave it into cloth. At American weddings, people would kick their feet as high as they could in order to help the host’s flax grow taller. In New England, women danced in the sun on Candlemas in order to make the flax grow well. In Scotland, on Halloween, bundles of flax, broom, and heath are tied to a pole and lit, then run around the village for protection. In Romania, it is bad luck to work with Flax on a Friday (Frigg’s Day) because the goddess rules over spinning and weaving and will be offended. In some parts of Ireland, it is bad luck to spin Flax on a Saturday or the eve of a holiday. In Belgium, women do not spin on Shrove Tuesday to prevent the flax crop from failing. Flax has been used in knot magic from at least ancient Rome. Flax seeds are used as a symbol for money in charms. Add a few Flax seeds in the wallet, pocket, or purse to increase wealth, or in the shoe to protect against poverty. A jar of Flax seeds and a few coins can be placed on the altar to attract money. This should be repeated daily. The blue Flax flowers protect against sorcery. For protection while sleeping, put a mixture of equal parts Flax and Mustard seeds next to your bed. Place a pan of cold water on the other side of the bed. Place a combination of Flax seed and red pepper in a box in the house to prevent evil from entering. If a child at the age of seven years dances among growing Flax, the child grows up to be a beautiful or handsome adult. Use Flax in rituals for health and healing. If you suffer from dizziness, run naked after sunset three times through a field of Flax to cure it. Mystical Intentions:  money, prosperity, wealth, knot magic, beauty, health and healing, psychic powers, protection from poverty, defensive magic, protection from hexes, protection from curses, protection from the evil eye, protection while sleeping, protect the home from evil entering, dizziness, binding Botany, Cultivation & Harvesting:  Flax is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent. Flax was extensively cultivated in ancient China and ancient Egypt. Flax grows to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) tall, with slender stems. The leaves are glaucous green, slender lanceolate, 20–40 mm long and 3 mm broad. It flowers in May and June, and ripens soon after. The flowers are pure pale blue, 15–25 mm diameter, with five petals; they can also be bright red. The fruit is a round, dry capsule 5–9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip, 4–7 mm long. Each flower forms a capsule containing 4-10 seeds. Flax is often found just above the waterline in cranberry bogs. It grows mostly in cultivated areas as a crop and prefers a sunny, sheltered location. Flax grows best in alluvial soil, deep loams, and soils rich in organic matter. Sow seeds early to late spring directly in the garden bed. Sow in the ground in spring, barely covering seed and gently pressing in 1/2″/1cm deep and 1/2-1″/1-4cm apart in an area with full sun. If you plant too close, plants won’t make as many seeds (fiber flax is planted closer to reduce seeding and make straighter stalks); too far apart, and weeds will be more of a problem. If soil is sopping, wait till it dries out a bit, or the seed will rot before it germinates. This is a hardy seedling, able to stand temps down to 28F/2C. It takes 95-100 days for this plant to get to harvest stage, when most of the seed capsules are brown. Seedlings do not transplant well. Do not grow it in the same spot every year. Rotate it for better plant health and soil fertility. Bugs don’t usually bother flax. Flax is harvested for fiber production after approximately 100 days or a month after the plant flowers and two weeks after the seed capsules form. The base of the plant will begin to turn yellow. If the plant is still green the seed will not be useful, and the fiber will be underdeveloped. The fiber degrades once the plant is brown. Flax seeds are either harvested mechanically (with a combine) or manually. Pull off the seed capsules and crush to release the seeds. Seeds are dried and used whole or ground. Store whole or ground flax seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Contraindications & Toxicity: Not recommended for those with a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder, diabetes, a gastrointestinal obstruction, a hormone sensitive cancer or condition, high triglyceride levels, or high or low blood pressure. Flax is considered likely unsafe to use during pregnancy. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Flax can affect blood-clotting and may increase your risk of bleeding. If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, stop taking flax at least 2 weeks ahead of time. Avoid using flax together with other herbal/health supplements that can lower blood sugar, such as alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, devil’s claw, fenugreek, garlic, guar gum, horse chestnut, Panax ginseng, psyllium, Siberian ginseng, and others. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Common side effects may include bloating, gas, stomach ache, constipation, diarrhea, and nausea. Other drugs may interact with flax, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using. Do not use in digestive disorders such as Crohn’s disease, IBS, or colitis, or in hormone-sensitive disease such as endometriosis or PCOS.   Constituents:  The mucilage in the seeds absorbs water into the stool making it a bulk-forming laxative to stimulate peristalsis. Seeds are high in anti-inflammatory Omega 3 (linoleic) fatty acids and are indicated in excessive mucous production and constipation. mucilage (3%-6%) fixed oil (30%-45%): alpha-linolenic, linoleic, and oleic acids protein (25%) phosphatides (0.7%) sterols cyanogenic glycosides (1.5%)     Sources: https://spiritartsandherbs.com/sources **IMPORTANT INFORMATON: Products are sold as curio items for entertainment purposes only and based upon historical and magical uses.  We do not imply or guarantee that any items provide specific abilities, powers, outcomes, remedies, or treatments. Any information provided on listings or through private conversation is intended for educational purposes only and are based on historical folklore and traditions, and should not replace the advice of a physician. Use our products at your own risk. By purchasing this item, you understand and release Spirit Arts & Herbs Inc from any liability. No items we sell are for internal use and should never be ingested for any reason. Some may also not be safe for topical application, or even be safe to touch while unprotected. Always use proper safety precautions when using our products. We will not be held responsible for illness, injury, or death from the use of any product. PRODUCT IS NOT A TREATMENT. This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. CAUTION : Do not use ANY product if pregnant or nursing. Do not use if allergic to any ingredients. Prior to use, consult with your professional health-care provider to ensure safe use and understand effects that ingredients may cause relative to safety, personal conditions, and medication interactions which may be harmful. FOR ADULT USE ONLY. By purchasing, you confirm that you are over 18 years of age. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not use more than recommended by your healthcare professional.  Purchase of this product indicates that you have read, understand, and agree to Spirit Arts & Herbs Terms and Conditions. Many of our products are hand made to order. Once orders are in processing, products are non-cancellable, non-refundable, and not returnable. Shipping times may be up to 3-4 weeks. ShareTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail Related