What is the flax family? Sprouted seeds of Línum usitatíssimum. How to use flaxseeds for the heart and blood vessels

Linen is most often associated with natural light cloth. Fine clothes and excellent bed linen are made from it. And only a few know that it can be eaten. Our great-grandfathers did just that. Flour ground from seeds was added to wheat flour. Bread and cakes from the resulting mixture were the basis of the diet of the ancient inhabitants. They already knew everything about flaxseed! The benefits and harms of the plant were not a secret to them. Modern man has a great opportunity to touch again amazing power nature. To do this, you need to enter into your daily life flax-seed. Its benefits and harm to the body should initially be carefully studied.

Semen composition

Content useful substances This plant is truly unique. Each seed has components that bring beauty and energy to the human body. They perfectly boost immunity and can even heal. Flaxseeds, the benefits and harms of which have been studied for many centuries, have no analogues. There are practically no plants in nature that can compete with them in terms of the content of nutrients.

Quite deservedly, flaxseeds have received a reputation for healing and healthy product. This status is due to the following valuable components included in the composition.

1. Polyunsaturated fatty acid(Omega-9, Omega-6, Omega-3). An important role in all life processes human body It is the even balance of these substances that plays a role. At the same time, there are much more Omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed than in fish oil.
2. Cellulose. ABOUT beneficial effects Much is known about the digestive system of this substance. Fiber is able to remove poisons, carcinogens and cholesterol from the body. Its enveloping effect on the walls of the stomach is quite useful. Today it is known that it is fiber that is prophylactic combating colon cancer.
3. Lignan, or plant hormone. Flaxseeds are simply a storehouse of such a substance. It is an excellent antioxidant that prevents the development of cancer, in particular breast cancer. In addition, this substance has antibacterial and antiviral effects.

And these are not all the beneficial substances that provide healing properties small flaxseed. The benefits and harms that arouse genuine interest among people are due to a fairly impressive list of components. The seeds contain amino acids and proteins (about 20 types). They are also rich in fatty acids (40 types). Continuing the list, it should be noted that flaxseed contains about 20 vitamins and 21 minerals.

It is not surprising that from time immemorial such a storehouse of useful substances has been used by people as a means of combating various ailments.

Beneficial features

It should be noted that scientists have studied flaxseed very carefully, its benefits and harm. How to take it for various ailments? And are ancient recipes that promise cures for diseases really so effective?

Such studies have shown that eating flax seeds provides a life-giving effect on the entire body, while fighting certain diseases.

Patients diagnosed with problems with the thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract, suffering from liver and kidney dysfunction, benefit significantly by introducing an amazing product into their diet.

In addition, small flaxseed is an excellent preventative against blood clots, stimulates the heart, and improves blood circulation. Research has shown that unique product effective in combating oncological diseases. Flaxseeds can regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and strengthen the immune system. They also provide relief from excess weight.

Benefits for gastrointestinal diseases

A favorable result is guaranteed when using this product to treat the stomach and intestines. Healers healed many similar ailments with it. And they understood perfectly well what this would do to the body. amazing product, like flaxseed, benefits and harm.

How to take for the stomach? The following recommendations have survived to this day.

1. It helps patients diagnosed with gastritis quite effectively next remedy. Flaxseeds (1 large spoon) must be poured with two glasses of boiling water. The infusion should be strained after 45-60 minutes. IN medicinal purposes It is recommended to drink one glass on an empty stomach in the morning, and also in the evening - right before bed. This remedy is quite effective in treating illness. After all long time and the benefits and harms of such a remedy as flaxseed were studied very thoroughly.
2. For erosive gastritis, decoctions of the above-mentioned remedy are used. It has been noted that they have anti-inflammatory, enveloping and astringent properties. Therefore, they bring significant relief to the patient.

Diabetes

It's not enough to say that this product healing. In addition, scientists, accustomed to questioning everything, have studied in detail what the conclusions are this disease There are benefits and harms from such a small grain as flaxseed. Studies have been conducted in diabetes mellitus, as a result of which the beneficial effects have been fully confirmed.

The following prescription is recommended for patients: boiled water(200 g) must be completely cooled. After that, flaxseed (3 tsp) should be poured with the prepared liquid. This preparation should sit for about 2.5-3 hours. Don't forget to stir periodically. After straining effective tincture ready. It should be drunk at full quantity before bedtime.

Liver cleansing

Today, the question is often raised when it comes to flaxseed: what are the benefits and harms for the liver? It is known that the product ground into flour significantly improves its excretory function.

To cleanse the liver, flour is used according to the following scheme:

• 1 Week. Every day in the morning 1 tbsp. l. flour (with a slide) is added to 250 ml fermented milk product. It can be pure yogurt, kefir or sour cream.
• Week 2. The same recipe and the same proportions of fermented milk product are recommended. However flaxseed flour 2 tablespoons should be added.
• Week 3. Now the dose of the main product is increased to 3 tablespoons.

Immunity booster

Since ancient times, people have been interested in (when it comes to flaxseed) the benefits and harms. How to use? Reviews from many people indicate the product as an immunity booster.

Flax-seed ground into flour. You will need 2 teaspoons. To this ingredient add 1 tsp. Sahara. The resulting powder should be consumed every day at least two to three times, 1 teaspoon. You can drink it with water.

It is great to use honey instead of sugar if you are not allergic to it. This recipe is universal because it is suitable for both adults and children.

Treatment of joints

At various pathologies flax seeds are used for bones. They are able to quickly relieve inflammation in the joints and reduce pain.

For arthritis, flaxseed compresses are very popular. For such purposes, it is recommended to heat the seeds in a frying pan. Then put them in a small bag. The resulting compress should be applied to sore joints twice a day.

However, we should not forget that a product such as flaxseed can cause benefits and harm to the body.

Just two centuries ago, namely in the 18th century, the flax plant occupied a leading place among cultivated agricultural crops. There is an opinion that flax crops were the first crops of our ancestors. Indeed, translated from Latin, the word flax means “the most useful.”

Flax has been known to mankind since ancient times. During the Bronze Age, cakes were made from a mixture of flax and wheat, linen was used to make clothes, bed linen, tablecloths and napkins, and seeds were squeezed linseed oil, has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries due to its beneficial properties. They used it to treat radiculitis by applying steamed seeds to the lumbar region, to get rid of abscesses on the body, to rub hair with oil, to flavor porridges and stews. Nowadays, products made from linen fabric are still relevant, and its seeds help with various problems with health.

The commander Alexander the Great wore robes made from several layers of linen. Such clothing was considered the most durable, and could protect the owner from blows from arrows and swords. In antiquity, linen clothes were worn only by the aristocracy and wealthy classes, but in Rus' the fabric was standard for the clothes of the common people.

The beneficial properties of the plant are due to the presence of high levels of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 - polyunsaturated acids and an extensive list of minerals and vitamins.

Nowadays, the seeds of the plant help prevent a number of diseases, and jellies, decoctions and infusions have found use in traditional medicine recipes and help maintain the vitality of the body.

Flax seed - 15 beneficial properties

1. Antioxidant properties

   Along with other plant fruits, the phytochemical constituents of flax seeds are strikingly rich in lignans, compounds whose action has a detrimental effect on free radicals. Only 100 grams of seeds contain 0.3 grams of lignans.

   At a meeting of scientists of the American Society clinical oncology There was a statement about the ability of flaxseed to resist the growth and division of cancer cells. According to scientists, this is due to the presence of Omega-3 in the plant, the acid whose action in the body does not allow it to become established. cancer cells to undamaged - healthy.

   A report by Dr. Wendy DeMark, a leading oncology researcher, highlighted the anti-angiogenic properties of flax seeds and their ability to prevent tumor development in developing new blood vessels.

   Research by scientists at the University of Pennsylvania has shown the ability of flaxseed to inhibit radiation. This quality is due to the high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of flax grains.

   Consumption of flaxseed in the diet is a preventive measure against prostate cancer, breast cancer, and will help stop prostate cancer, while being the safest natural remedy.

2. Prevents depression

   According to statistics, every tenth person nowadays suffers from mental disorder– depression, in which there is a loss of interest in life, mood changes, and the ability to experience other people’s sorrows and enjoy other people’s happiness is lost. A depressed person has low self-esteem, inhibited thinking and is unable to live a full emotional life.

   Pharmacologists have developed a large number of antidepressants that help bring psychological health in order. But few people know that adding to daily diet seeds white linen, will relieve mood swings and help you look at the world with optimism.

3. Beneficial properties of flax seeds for women

   By studying the chemical composition of the plant, scientists obtained data indicating the presence of lingans in flax seeds - special polyphenol compounds similar to the female hormone estrogen. Among the lush family of plants, flax is its classic source.

   The beneficial properties of flax help women during menopause get rid of debilitating night hot flashes, increased sweating, without resorting to the use of hormonal drugs.

   Ground and heated seeds in the form of applications are applied to damaged areas during mastitis. This procedure will relieve pain and stop the inflammatory process.

   Taking grain extracts will reduce ovarian dysfunction and restore menstrual cycles.

4. Monitors blood sugar readings

   The presence of ligana in the chemical composition of the plant and its content soluble fiber, helps maintain optimal blood glucose levels. People suffering from type 2 diabetes are recommended to include a tablespoon of white flax seeds in their daily diet, using them as an additive to side dishes and baked goods.

5. Improves the condition of bone tissue

   Contains grains linoleic acid and Omega-3 will support bone health, strengthen dental tissue and nail plates, preventing the development of various inflammatory processes and giving the body additional endurance and energy. Amino acid and protein composition of flax protein with high performance polysaccharides increases strength bone tissue and prevents the development of osteoporosis, and the presence of sufficient phosphorus helps in the formation of healthy bones.

6. Help the digestive system

   Education chemical compounds, plant dietary fiber is able to remove the accumulation of toxic substances from the body, increasing beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. This ability allows you to activate and regulate digestive processes, strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammatory processes in the intestines and stomach.

   The positive effect of the seeds is expressed in the enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect. Infusions of the plant are recommended for problems with stool. The adhesives and insolube fibers act as a mild laxative, reducing irritation and eliminating constipation. They are also taken in cases of poisoning from poor-quality food and during exacerbations. peptic ulcer.

7. To maintain heart function

   Replenishing our body by consuming Omega 3 fatty acids is vital, unfortunately they are not produced by our body and we must obtain them from the food we consume. Flaxseeds, rich in these acids, prevent work disorders of cardio-vascular system, help control blood pressure and act as a preventative against Alzheimer's disease and heart attacks.

8. Help with high cholesterol

   The plant's ability to control blood cholesterol levels is directly related to its chemical composition, which includes mucilages, fatty oils, proteins, vitamins and essential omega acids. An excess of “bad” cholesterol in the blood is fraught with problems in the functioning of the heart. Settling on the walls of blood vessels, HRP forms plaques and clogs their patency, which leads to heart attacks, strokes, atherosclerosis and the formation of gallstones. Fiber, which the seeds are saturated with, forms chemical compounds with cholesterol, preventing blockage of blood vessels, accelerating the decomposition of HRP and its rapid elimination.

9. Boosts immunity

   The presence of lignan and omega acids in the grains makes them one of the excellent immunomodulators that can stop inflammatory processes in the body and prevent diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and even autoimmune lupus.

10. To cleanse the liver

    In our body, the liver plays the role of a filter. Everything that comes from external environment: food, cigarette smoke, heavy metals, gases and many other things, everything passes through her control. Doctors recommend cleaning the liver at least once a year. Flax grains are ideal for this. Enriched with nutrients, fiber and fatty acids and having a strong choleretic property, they will help cleanse not only the liver and intestines, but also other organs.

    For this purpose, raw seeds are used; they can first be chewed and washed down with a glass of water. To improve the taste, you can add a small amount of honey or jam, but remember that consuming more than 15 grams of grains per day is not recommended. The presence of a large percentage of fat in grass fruits can cause unpleasant sensations.

11. Flax seed for weight loss

    Many diets include components of which grains are an important component. This is due to the rich fiber content in them, which helps to quickly saturate and long absence feelings of hunger. An extensive list of vitamins and minerals, as well as omega acids, will help control metabolism while maintaining energy and vitality throughout the day.

12. Help with hypertension

    Repeated Scientific research biochemists prove the ability of flaxseed to reduce readings blood pressure. For a therapeutic effect, doctors recommend introducing them into the diet to cleanse the blood of cholesterol plaques, strengthening the heart muscle and normalizing blood viscosity.

    Positive properties grains have a beneficial effect on cardiac activity and help prevent blood clots in blood vessels. The special value of the fruit is due to the presence of essential omega-3, omega-6, omega-9 fatty acids, vital for the smooth functioning of the body. This property The plant allows you to lower blood pressure readings and has a positive effect on the condition of people suffering from hypertension.

    By adding 5 grams of grains daily to familiar products food: salads, side dishes, cereals, kefir, you can achieve a significant improvement in blood pressure readings.

    At home, it is not difficult to prepare an infusion to normalize arterial readings. Pour 2 tablespoons of grains into 2 cups of boiling water, leave and take throughout the day.

13. Improves metabolic processes

    The tiny seeds are rich in B complex vitamins, minerals: magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamin E, which is especially important for bone formation and health. skin. This fact makes it possible for grains to improve metabolic processes body, enriching it required quantity useful substances.

14. Use for cosmetology

    High concentration lignans and antioxidant properties of flax seeds are used in cosmetic products and home recipes for body, hair and skin care. The seed oil obtained by cold pressing is used as a remedy for burns. Based on it, nourishing applications are prepared against brittle nail plates, relieve skin irritation, and treat eczema and acne.

    At home, a scrub is prepared from the seeds, mixing them, if desired, with cottage cheese, honey, or yogurt. After several uses, the skin becomes soft and silky to the touch.

    The plant will also serve men suffering from premature baldness. Using masks based on the fruits of the plant will help prevent not only hair loss, but also make your hair more voluminous.

15. Affects hormone levels

    Flax fruits can help in solving problems associated with hormonal imbalance in organism. Research in this area shows that consuming 2 tablespoons of ground grains per day not only improves hormone levels, but also has a beneficial effect on overall health. psychological state. This fact is especially important for women who have entered the menopause stage. A lack of estrogen during this period is fraught with malfunctions of not only cardiac activity, but also most organs. Lingans fill the gap female hormone and act, in part, as an option for hormone replacement in postmenopausal therapy.

Recipes for homemade tinctures and decoctions of flax seeds

To prepare the decoction, 3 tablespoons of grains are poured with half a liter of boiling water and simmered in a water bath for about half an hour. Consume chilled 3 times a day.

For psoriasis, dermatitis and eczema, flaxseeds are ground in a coffee grinder and a porridge-like mixture is prepared from them, adding water to them. The resulting mass in the form of compresses or applications is applied to the affected areas. This compress should be changed twice a day.

An infusion of flaxseeds is prepared from 1 liter of boiling water and 3-4 tablespoons of raw materials. Infuse it in a thermos for 5 hours and take 3 times a day. The infusion is useful for respiratory diseases and will preventive action for nervous disorders.

Flax seed - contraindications

Of course, flax grains have a positive effect on our body, but there are also contraindications to taking them, which should not be neglected. Their use can harm people who have:

inflammatory bowel diseases;

suffering from kidney stones;

women diagnosed with uterine fibroids, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers;;

with polycystic disease and endometriosis.

Linen fabrics first appeared in India, and their homeland is considered to be the lands of Asia.

Historical information claims that the plant appeared about 10 thousand years ago, and the fabric from it is considered one of the oldest.

Egyptian weavers achieved perfection in flax weaving. They made such a canvas that even through five layers superimposed on each other, the outlines of the body were visible.

About 80% of the world's plantings occur on Russian lands.

Vast fields of plant crops extend in the Pskov regions and Belarusian lands, where climatic conditions contribute to growing a full-fledged harvest. The coat of arms of the city of Novorzhev in the Pskov region is decorated with flax hemp.

Linen not only clothed, but also helped to get rid of illnesses. Peasants used flax seeds for healing. They nursed sick cattle.

Modern fashion trends Linen is considered the most popular material. It warms well in winter cold and cools on hot days. Every housewife has kitchen textiles made from this fabric. Housewives know that the more you wash linen products, the softer they become.

Ropes made from plant fibers are particularly durable. They are used in construction and navigation.

What else is useful?

Linen - useful plant, used by people for both food and medicinal purposes since ancient times. It is enriched with many useful substances, thanks to which treatment with flax seeds improves health and successfully fights a number of ailments of various origins.

From this article you will learn:

Treatment with flax seeds

Archaeological evidence suggests that flaxseed was used by humans at least 5 thousand years ago. It is known that in ancient Babylon this plant was cultivated both as a source of yarn and as a source of valuable seeds and oils that help with various diseases. Another historical fact, associated with flax seeds: during the reign of Charlemagne, the inhabitants of France were obliged to regularly eat them.

What are the benefits of flax seeds?

Flax seeds are of great value to the body due to chemical composition, which includes large amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, mineral compounds of zinc, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, amino acids, lignin and fiber. IN varying degrees All of these components help maintain health in the following ways:

• prevent the emergence and development of many diseases: diabetes mellitus, obesity, ischemia, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, cancer, etc.;
• prevent the destruction of nucleic acids;
• support water balance in the body, relieve swelling;
• improve metabolism and blood transport efficiency;
• strengthen the nervous system;
• promote the removal of harmful substances;
• restore healthy structure and appearance skin and hair.

The medicinal properties of flax seeds include antioxidant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anticarcinogenic qualities.

Despite the fact that the use large quantity seeds is impossible and harmful, it is worth noting them nutritional value: per 100 grams of product there are 450 kcal, and the nutritional mass consists of 20% proteins, 28% carbohydrates and 40% fats.

What does flax seed cure?

Both the seeds themselves and the preparations in which they are used have wide range actions. To say that it is thanks to the seeds that some remedy has healing effect not true - the drugs contain many other components. However, linen complements drug effect and enhances the effect of the entire combination. For example, flax seeds and oil are included in anti-inflammatory, expectorant, enveloping, anti-sclerotic and wound-healing agents.

Medical research shows that fatty oil, accounting for 42% of the total mass of seeds, helps restore damaged tissue, softens rough and dead skin, and relieves inflammation. In addition, the oil contains a decent amount of vitamin E - one of the strongest antioxidants. Thanks to it, harmful activity is blocked free radicals, which are the cause of cancer.

Flaxseed may be of benefit to those with acute diseases stomach - peptic ulcer or gastritis. The fact is that the grains of the plant contain many mucous substances. This is easy to see for yourself - seeds immersed in water quickly become covered with a soft mucous membrane. It also covers the walls of the stomach, strengthening the thinned mucous membrane. Similarly, flaxseeds provide relief from colitis, enteritis, dysentery, and ulcers. duodenum. Brings additional benefits astringent action, due to which less gastric juice is secreted.

Treatment with flax seeds recipes: how to prepare and take

Folk treatment with flax seeds has been practiced by people throughout the history of growing this crop. During this time, medicine discovered and preserved recipes that help prevent and eradicate diseases itself. of different nature. As a rule, as medicinal product a decoction is used. It is important to remember that only a freshly prepared remedy can ensure maximum effectiveness of herbal medicine.

Flax seeds for weight loss

Among those interested beneficial features flaxseeds, many people want to lose weight. A decoction is also used for this, since it promotes the active removal of toxins and ballast deposits, improves metabolism, and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Weight Loss Recipe

To prepare the decoction, you need to pour boiling water over the seeds (at the rate of 20 grams of raw material per 0.5 liter of water) and cook for 2 hours over low heat. The cooled product is taken for 10 days three times a day, 100 ml. This is followed by a 10-day break and the intake is resumed.

Treatment of ulcers and duodenum with flax seeds

Flaxseed mucus, as already mentioned, helps to alleviate well-being in case of illness. gastrointestinal tract, accompanied painful sensations due to the presence of wounds or thinning of the mucous membranes.

Recipe for ulcers

To prepare the mucus, you need to pour 0.5 boiling water over 3 grams of seeds, leave for 15 minutes, shaking occasionally and strain. It is recommended to drink the resulting tincture 3-4 times a day, 2 tablespoons.

For conjunctivitis, this liquid can be used externally, it is dropped into the eyes or applied to the affected areas.

Cleansing with flax seeds: how to brew flax seeds to treat the stomach

Flax seeds have been used to treat stomach problems for a very long time. The benefits that flax seeds have for the body are also expressed in their strong cleansing properties. Today they are called one of the most effective products to remove waste and toxins, both from the intestines and from the whole body. To cleanse your body of excesses and feel a surge of energy, you need to follow the following instructions:

Recipe for treating stomach

1. During the week, drink 1 dessert spoon crushed seeds with 100 grams of fermented baked milk, kefir or yogurt.
2. In the second week, double the number of seeds for the same volume of fermented milk drink.
3. During the third week you need to drink 150 grams of kefir with 3 tablespoons of flaxseed flour mixed in it.

This amazing product also benefits those who suffer from kidney problems. IN in this case the seeds can be used to cleanse organs and get rid of stones in them.

Kidney treatment recipe

To do this, add water to the grains at the rate of 1 glass per 5 grams and boil. After this, the decoction should be drunk 100 ml every 2 hours for 2 days. You can also dilute it with water and add a little lemon juice to the liquid to improve the taste.

Treatment of the pancreas with flax seeds

Despite the fact that the use of flaxseed decoction is quite often practiced for diseases of the pancreas, doctors recommend treating such therapy with caution. Most often this means treatment in the acute stage cholelithiasis and pancreatitis.

Flax decoction envelops the walls of the organ from the inside, which facilitates its work and promotes self-recovery. In addition, the decoction prevents cell division, which slows down tumor processes. The long-lasting effect of the decoction is due to the fact that its mucous component is resistant to acid.

Recipes for treating the pancreas

Recipes for treating the pancreas with flax seeds:

1. Make jelly from the seeds by boiling them for 10 minutes over low heat and then leaving for an hour. Strain and consume until completely cool. 1 glass of water per 1 tbsp. raw materials.
2. If you pre-process the seeds in a coffee grinder, the cooking time will be halved.
3. Place 3 tbsp in a thermos. l. flaxseeds and pour a liter of boiling water. Close and leave overnight. Shake and strain before use.
4. Boil 70 grams of seeds in a liter of water for 2 hours, then let cool and strain through cheesecloth.

In all presented recipes, 100 ml of jelly is drunk half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 2 months.

Flax seed for diabetes

Flaxseed jelly helps lower blood sugar levels without serious consequences for the immune system and the whole body.

Diabetes treatment recipe

One of the most famous folk ways treatment for infection with worms is daily use a mixture of ground flax seeds and cloves (10:1). You just need to add 20 grams of it to food 1-2 times a day. Reception and rest alternate for three days. The full course of treatment lasts a month.

You can also take a decoction of 2 tsp. seeds poured into a glass of boiling water. After 30 minutes, a little lemon and honey are added to the medicine. A glass of the resulting decoction should be consumed within 24 hours. The frequency of treatment is 10 days of admission after 10 days of rest.

Flax seeds in the treatment of blood vessels

One of the most famous folk recipes To cleanse and treat blood vessels, use a decoction of flaxseed at the rate of 2 tbsp. for 200-250 ml of boiling water. A little bit more effective means is a decoction with the addition of calendula flowers.

Recipe for treating blood vessels

To prepare it, it is better to grind the seeds and add 1 tbsp to the dry base. dried flowers calendula. Then pour a glass of boiling water, close and leave for 20-30 minutes. The strained decoction is taken half an hour before meals, 70 ml. After a month of taking it, you need to take a 2-week break.

Contraindications

The main reason for prohibiting the use of flaxseeds internally is individual intolerance. By the way, you can earn it if you overdo it in self-medication. In general, professional medical supervision is the main condition effective treatment.

Eating and drinking decoctions from seeds is also prohibited for people with exacerbations of cholecystitis, colitis, pancreatitis and urolithiasis. IN the latter case says the choleretic characteristics of flax - it can provoke the movement of stones.

To avoid complications, caution should be exercised during pregnancy, breastfeeding, polycystic disease, uterine fibroids or endometriosis with prostatitis.

The uniqueness of flax seed is that it simultaneously contains three groups of substances important for human health: alpha-linolenic acid (plant omega-3 fatty acids), lignans and soluble fiber (“mucilage”). You will not find such a combination in any other product.

Flaxseed is a source of omega-3 fatty acids

First useful characteristic flax is high content omega-3 fatty acids. Among plant products, flax seeds are the leading source. Omega-3 fats help prevent heart disease, stroke, lupus, eczema and rheumatoid arthritis and play a protective role against cancer.

Flaxseed is the leader in lignan content among nuts

Lignans are unique polyphenols that combine the benefits of antioxidants and fiber and have a phytoestrogenic effect. These are natural plant hormones. Flaxseed is the No. 1 source of lignans in the human diet.

Lignans in flaxseed contain:

• 7 times more than in sesame seeds (an honorable second place)
• 338 times more than sunflower seeds
• 475 times more than cashew nuts
• 3200 more than peanuts

Flaxseed contains a lot of mucilage - valuable water-soluble fiber

Flaxseed contains soluble and insoluble fiber. Special value has a water-soluble, gel-forming fiber that is extremely comfortable for the gastrointestinal tract. Enveloping slime prevents stomach contents from emptying too quickly into the small intestine, which improves absorption nutrients V small intestine. That is why flaxseed is healing for various diseases digestive system.

Flax seeds - composition:

2 tbsp. l. = 14 grams = 74.76 calories

(data taken from open sources of US food ratings)

The amino acid composition of flaxseed protein is similar to the composition of plant soy proteins. Flax seed contains vitamins A, E, B and is an excellent external source of vitamin F, which is involved in fat and cholesterol metabolism (this vitamin is not synthesized in the body).

Beneficial properties of flaxseed and the cardiovascular system

Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) helps protect blood vessels from inflammatory damage and promotes normal heart rate. There are several studies that have shown that omega-3 acids can stop the hardening of arteries and the process of thrombus formation (adhesion of blood cells to the walls of blood vessels).

Eating flax seeds is good for the heart and helps prevent heart attacks.

Numerous studies have proven the ability of flax to increase the content of ALA in our blood, even when the seeds are ground or included in baked goods (muffins, cookies). Consumption of flaxseed also increases blood levels of EPA and DPA, the acids found in animal products.

The effect of lignans is no less impressive. According to researchers, they help prevent the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques by 75%! Lignans also provide protection blood vessels from inflammatory damage, and this is very important, since it is the inflammatory process that leads to a heart attack.

The anti-inflammatory properties of ALA and lignans are supported by studies in which flaxseed fortified in baked goods (such as muffins) results in a 10-15% reduction C-reactive protein(SRB)*.

*CRP is a widely used indicator (marker) of inflammatory processes in the cardiovascular system.

Although direct studies of the effect of flaxseed on blood pressure has not been studied, omega-3 fatty acids are known to help regulate blood pressure in people with diagnosed hypertension and reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Beneficial properties of flaxseed for metabolic syndrome and obesity

Flax seed is useful for metabolic syndrome, it is associated with improved performance (by 20% after 12 weeks of taking 30 g of flax seed in fortified bread). Constant use flaxseed and oil increase insulin resistance. The seed normalizes blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol.

Flax is a strategic product for Russia. Now it is cultivated in the north of the country, in middle lane and in Siberia. Its use since ancient times personifies man's thrifty attitude towards nature. Judge for yourself: the stems of the plant are used to create threads and fabrics, and highly nutritious oil can be squeezed out of the fruits, oatmeal can be obtained, and finally, a medicinal jelly-like decoction of flax seeds can be prepared, which has a beneficial effect on the body and can be used both externally and internally.

But one should not assume that flax is a typically Russian culture; in a certain sense, it is “international”. Thus, there are references to treatment methods with flaxseed products in the records of ancient healers Hippocrates (V-VI centuries BC), Dioscarides (I century), Avicenna (X-XI centuries). Unfortunately, the benefits of scientific and technological progress have “relegated” this culture to the background. However, having experienced the dubious “benefits” of civilization, many people began to look for the origins of natural healing in traditional cooking and treatment natural preparations. Flaxseed is one of these healthy products, allowing to support wellness and normalize metabolic processes in the body.

Interesting: Research conducted at the All-Russian Scientific Research and Design and Technological Institute for Mechanization of Flax Growing indicates that flaxseed protein is more suitable for Russians than soybean protein, a widely cultivated but non-traditional crop for our country. These products are similar in amino acid composition, therefore, interchangeable.

There are two types of flax - long flax, used in the textile industry for the production of yarn and fabrics, and the more squat curl, grown for those very oily seeds.

Use of flaxseed decoction: benefits and harms

The value of infusion and decoction of flax seeds lies in the fact that these liquids contain copious mucus, which gently envelops the mucous membranes, softens and has an antiseptic effect. The most common area of ​​use of mucous decoction is the treatment of diseases of the stomach and intestines, inflammation respiratory tract,

Mucus getting on mucous membranes internal organs, stays on them for a long time, protecting them from irritation. This protective cover is insoluble in juices and acids of the gastrointestinal tract, so flaxseed decoction is the best natural remedy for acute inflammation and during the period when a diet is indicated.

• inflammatory diseases of the bronchi, hoarseness and cough;
• gastritis, gastric ulcer, chronic colitis;
• diseases of the gums and mouth, inflammation of the pharynx;
• inflammation Bladder, kidney;
• hemorrhoids, tumors and peptic ulcers;
• diseases of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract (including after cholecystectomy);
• obesity.

In addition, the benefit of flax seed decoction is that it is permissible to use the mucus externally for such delicate diseases as conjunctivitis, inflammation of the facial skin, and boils. For barley on the eye, it is useful to make hot compresses with flax decoction.

Contraindications

Contraindications to taking flaxseed decoction are: following features body and disease:

• volvulus;
• intestinal obstruction;
• kidney stones and cholecystitis.

Flax decoction for the body

A cure for a hundred diseases

There are the following types of drugs, which differ little from each other in the degree of mucus saturation, but have significant differences in preparation technology: infusions or “teas”, decoctions.

The preparation of mucous preparations based on flax seed is based on a well-known property. Under the influence of water, the outer shells (cells of the protective skin) of mature seeds begin to swell and gradually separate from the seed, but do not dissolve in water. This colorless plant mucus consists of the substance bassorina, which is also found in algae, coats mushrooms and maintains the neutral reaction of water.

Recipe 1

Required: 1 tsp. seeds, 250 ml boiling water.

Preparation: Pour boiling water over the seeds and shake continuously for 10-15 minutes until the mucus separates. Then strain thoroughly using a metal strainer and cool.

This “clean” mucus can be used orally up to 4 times a day. External use is also indicated - for inflammation of the eyes, for example.

Tip: This recipe is suitable for relieving symptoms of radiation sickness. Dosage regimen – 1 tbsp. l. In 2 hours.

Recipe 2

Required: 8 tsp. crushed flaxseeds, 1 liter of boiling water.

Preparation: Pour boiling water over the raw materials, close the container (it is better to use a jar with a lid) and leave for 2-5 hours. No need to strain.

Take 100 ml of this “tea” warm orally, up to 4 times a day, you can add lemon juice. The course of treatment is 2-3 weeks. This product helps get rid of signs of swelling (even on the face), and can be used as a rinse for inflammation of the gums and throat.

Recipe 3 (flax decoction for the stomach, intestinal atony)

Required: 2 tsp. flax seeds, 300 ml water.

Preparation: Boil the flax seed for 10 minutes, shake well to separate the mucus from the seeds, strain. Take 100 ml of decoction every morning on an empty stomach, you can add milk sugar, honey or natural jam (1:1) - this will make the effect of the product more intense.

Recipe 4 (for diarrhea)

Required: 1 tsp. flax seeds, 250 ml water.

Preparation: Pour water over the seeds, boil for about 15 minutes, strain and cool. Use for enema.

Advice: A decoction of flaxseed provides significant relief from intestinal ulcers and hemorrhoids, if used in an enema with the addition of rose oil (1-2 drops per enema).

Recipe 5 (to cleanse the kidneys)

Required: 1 tsp. flaxseed, 200 ml water (for two servings).

Preparation: Pour flax seed cold water, bring to a boil over low heat and leave to cool. Take strained flaxseed decoction for one day, 100 ml every 2 hours (including at night).

Recipe 6 (to cleanse the body of radionuclides)

You will need: 1 glass of flaxseed, 2 liters of water (boiling water).

Preparation: Pour boiling water over the raw materials, leave to simmer in a sealed container in a water bath for 2 hours. Cool the finished broth and strain.

Take 250 ml up to 7 times a day, before meals.

General rule: Due to significant content soluble fiber flax can cause constipation. By taking a decoction of flax seeds for gastritis and other gastrointestinal diseases, provide yourself with the right drinking regime– at least 1.5-2 l clean water per day.

Using flax decoction for body beauty

Linen is also used for body care.

• To soften dry body skin, you can add a thick decoction of flax seed and chamomile infusion to the bath (take 100-150 ml of each component) and lie in warm water for 15 minutes.
• Dry skin on your hands will be transformed by a course of hand baths with warm flaxseed infusion. Procedure time – 10-15 minutes.
• To relieve tired legs at the end of the working day, you can do contrast baths. A decoction of flaxseed (2 tablespoons per 1 liter of boiling water) should be added to hot water. You need to immerse your feet in cold/hot water for 2-3 minutes.
• Rough skin on the heels, calluses and cracks are well softened by baths with a decoction of flax seeds and potato peelings.