History and Use

	Contracted organic Flax Seed by farmers in the summer of 2009

Flax (Linum usitatissimum) production goes back to ancient history. Flax remnants were found in Stone Age dwellings in Switzerland, and ancient Egyptians made fine linens from flax fiber. Flax production moved west across the northern United States and Canada during the 1800s. As settlers moved west, flax was one of the crops produced. North Dakota farmers have grown flax since the first sod was broken.
Two types of flax are grown, seed flax, for the oil in its seed, and fiber flax, for the fiber in its stem. Today producers in the Upper Midwest and the Prairie Provinces of Canada grow seed flax. Flax seed is crushed to produce linseed oil and linseed meal. Linseed oil has many industrial uses; linseed meal is used for livestock feed. The fiber in seed flax stems is used to make fine paper and as tow or padding in upholstered furniture. Cigarette paper is a major flax paper product.
Human consumption of flax seed is increasing rapidly for its high dietary fiber,
omega 3 oils, and anticarcinogenic lignans.

Flax seed oil is used as a vegetable oil by some consumers and processors say its use is doubling annually. Whole or (preferably) ground flax seed is consumed mostly in bakery products. "Omega eggs" from hens fed flax seed are produced and sold in the U.S. and Canada for their high omega 3 oil content. Much flax seed meal also is fed to pets and other animals. Research is being conducted to determine the
health benefits of human consumption of flax seed products.

Fiber flax is grown in Europe and Asia. Its fiber is used to make fine linen cloth. Fiber flax varieties are very tall with few branches and low seed production. Seed flax is short, multiple branched and selected for high seed production. Straw from seed flax is harvested for fine paper products.

THE FLAX INSTITUTE

Borage (Borago officinalis)
is a fairly common domestic herbal remedy that has been used since ancient times. It has a particularly good reputation for its beneficial affect on the mind, being used to dispel melancholy and induce euphoria. It is a soothing saline, diuretic herb that soothes damaged or irritated tissues.

Borage oil (also known as starflower oil) is an ancient oil which has been used in the far east for thousands of years. Borage oil has in recent years caused a revolution in nutritional therapeutics. It has been found to be one of the richest sources of essential fatty acids known to humans.
The seeds are a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid, this oil helps to regulate the hormonal systems and lowers blood pressure. It is used both internally and externally, helping to relieve skin complaints and pre-menstrual tension. Borage oil typically contains a GLA content of min. 20%.

Borage Leaves raw or cooked. They can be used as a pot-herb or be added to salads. They are also added whole as a flavoring to various drinks such as Pimms and wine-based drinks. The leaves are rich in potassium and calcium, they have a salty cucumber flavor. Very hairy, the whole leaves have an unpleasant feeling in the mouth and so they are best chopped up finely and added to other leaves when eaten in a salad. The leaves should always be used fresh, because they lose their flavor and color if dried.

Borage Flowers (raw or cooked) They are used as a decorative garnish on salads and summer fruit drinks. The flowers are very nice, both to look at and to taste with a sweet slightly cucumber-like flavor. A refreshing tea is made from the leaves and/or the flowers. The dried stems are used for flavoring beverages.
The seed yields 30% oil, 20% of which is gamma-linolenic acid. Total yields are 0.35 - 0.65 tonnes per hectare. Unfortunately, the seed ripens intermittently over a period of time and falls from the plant when it is ripe, this makes harvesting the seeds in quantity very difficult. An edible blue dye can be obtained from the flowers. It is used to color vinegar.