Flaxseed Oil, Linum usitatissimum, also called linseed oil, is made by grinding and pressing the seeds of the plant so that they release their natural oil. Its Latin species name, usitatissimum, means “very useful". Linseed, or flax, is a blue flowering plant native to many regions of the world. Flaxseed is one of the oldest crops, having been cultivated since the beginning of civilization. For centuries people have been growing and harvesting flaxseed as food as well as using it to make all sorts of useful things, like linen.
Today, Canada is the world’s largest producer and accounts for nearly 80 % of the global trade in flaxseed. We have all heard of the benefits of flaxseed oil in a healthy diet, but it is also a great topical oil for the skin.
We use organic unrefined flaxseed oil. After extracting the oil from the seeds of the Linum usitatissimum plant, the oil remains in its unrefined (or virgin) form.
Unrefined flaxseed oil is an abundant source of vitamins and minerals and boasts an exceptionally high content of fatty acids, particularly the omega-3 fatty acid ALA. This essential fatty acid plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin cells. With its high concentration of omega-3s, flaxseed oil exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which may help ease skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne by reducing inflammation.
The topical use of flaxseed oil helps seal moisture into the skin, which may help soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is an excellent oil for people with dry and irritated skin.
According to Ayurveda, flaxseed helps balance skin oil, lubricates, improves elasticity, enhances the moisture-holding capacity of the skin, improves blemishes, and is useful in treating dull, dry, undernourished skin.
In hair care, flaxseed oil has been used topically to improve hair strength and shine, minimize dandruff and flakiness, moisturize, and help prevent hair loss. Sealing moisture into the hair shaft helps improve the elasticity of natural curls so curls and coils have less breakage, dryness, frizz, and split ends.
The fatty acids and nutrients found in flaxseed oil can help transform brittle, dry, or lackluster natural hair, making it smoother and more manageable. The rich omega-3 fatty acids moisturize and soothe the scalp to help ease symptoms of irritated scalp conditions.
Pure organic flaxseed oil can be used as a soothing dry scalp massage and a deep conditioning treatment.
We use virgin, unrefined, organic flaxseed oil. Unrefined oils have not been bleached or deodorized and retain their natural scent, color, and nutritional benefits.
Although flaxseed and linseed oil are considered the same oil, refined linseed oil is often processed in a way that removes the fatty acids and other nutrients from the seeds, is often mixed with chemicals, and is used in painting and woodworking.
