Flax History

 

Flax Is an Ancient Crop

 

Flax has been grown since the beginnings of civilization, and people all over the world have celebrated its usefulness throughout the ages. Cultivated flax, L. usitatissimum, is of two types: one is grown for the seed and the other for fibre production. In North America, it is primarily the oilseed varieties which are produced commercially.

 

Historians weave the magic of flax into ancient history. Records show that the human race has eaten this seed since early times.

 

About 3,000 B.C. Flax is cultivated in Babylon.

Burial chambers depict flax cultivation and clothing from flax fibres.

About 650 B.C. Hippocrates writes about using flax for the relief of abdominal pains.

In the same era, Theophrastus recommends the use of flax mucilage as a cough remedy.

About 1st Century A.D. Tacitus praises the virtues of flax.
About 8th Century A.D. Charlemagne considered flax so important for the health of his subjects that he passed laws and regulations requiring its consumption.
About 15th Century A.D. Hildegard von Bingen used flax meal in hot compresses for the treatment of both external and internal ailments.

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Canada Is a Flax Leader

 

Today, Canada is the world’s leader in the production and export of flax — a position it has held since 1994. Statistics Canada’s ten-year average (1986-1995) for Canadian production is about 710,000 t flaxseed produced on about 1.5 million acres (590,000 ha). In 1996/97, Canada produced about 40 per cent (860,000 t) of the world’s total flax production, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

 

One of five major Canadian crops, today flax travels to ports alongside wheat, barley, oats and canola. It is exported mainly to Europe, the U.S., Japan and South Korea. Canada currently supplies nearly 60 per cent of the flaxseed utilized in the United States.

Solin

 

Solin, a flax derivative, is a yellow-seeded crop which was introduced to Canadian producers in 1993. Solin has a very different fatty acid profile from flax. Solin varieties have less than 5 per cent alpha-linolenic acid compared to the more than 50 per cent in flax.

 

In contrast, flax produces a brown seed with high amounts of alpha-linolenic acid, an essential acid which nutritionists recognize as a contributor to good health.

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Flax Folklore and Customs

Flaxseed As a Plug for Drains

 

During the Manitoba Flood of ‘97, old-timers suggested making a temporary block for drains by partially filling a sock or pantihose with flaxseed and dampening it with water. A string tied to the end of the sock or pantihose makes future removal easy. The water-soaked parcel expands, effectively sealing the opening into which it is placed. It is removed after the threat of sewer back-up is over.

Linseed Oil As a Rust Preservative

 

A practise common among farmers is to coat shovels, axes and other implements with linseed oil as a rust preservative. Linseed oil seems to dry and seal the surface without running off or evaporating.

Flaxseed As a Poultice for Boils and Skin Abscesses

 

Roll about 3 tbsp of flaxseed in a 6-inch square of clean, white cloth. Twist either end tightly to contain the flaxseed. Holding the flax parcel by each of its two ends, dip the middle portion into a small bowl of boiling water. Wring it out, and place the poultice on the infected area. Cover it with a dry cloth. The flaxseed retains the heat, providing relief to the infected area. Remove the poultice when it has cooled.

Flax As a Gel for Hair

 

An Albertan says that when she was young, women used to boil flaxseed in water and then use the liquid as a setting gel for their hair. It apparently worked very well!

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Flax in a New Land

 

Flax on the North American continent dates back almost 400 years to 1617 when Lois Hébert, the first farmer in Canada, brought it to New France. With time, flax production expanded and moved westward across the continent. By 1875, European settlers were seeding the unbroken western prairie with flax brought from their homelands. Flax flourished in the clean environment, and production in the new land advanced.

 

The coming of two world wars increased demand for flax as a source of oil for many products in the home and factory. Following the Second World War, particularly, commercial production in North America expanded substantially.

 

Throughout the 50s and 60s, flax products were widely used throughout the world. Oil-based coatings beautified and protected wooden and concrete surfaces, and durable linoleum became a popular flooring material.

 

During this time, and beyond, flaxseed formed part of peoples’ diets. In parts of the world, flaxseed breads and other baked goods are commonplace. Similarly, farmers and animal breeders feed flaxseed to their livestock for maintenance of healthy coat and to improve animals’ digestion.

 

Over the last decades, flax has stayed popular, and progressive Canadian flax producers have moved forward to meet customers’ exacting standards for flax. Canada’s share of flax production has increased steadily. In the 90s, Canada has emerged as the major exporter of flax worldwide.

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Flax for a New Century

 

As we head into the 21st century, new markets for flax worldwide are soaring. These are partly fuelled by a movement which distinguishes flaxseed as a nutritious food.

Naturally nutritious flax

 

Following the long-established eating patterns of others, North Americans are enjoying more flaxseed breads and baked goods. The use of flaxseed in breads, bagels and other baked goods has tripled demand for flax in the food industry in North America this decade. Omega-3 enriched eggs from laying hens fed a special flaxseed diet are also gaining in popularity amongst consumers on the North American continent and abroad.

Environmentally friendly flax products

 

The flax industry is also springing forward with other flax products for a new century. Environmentally-friendly flax products suit not only the world of today, but also that of the future. In manufacturing, new linseed oil products like Archer #1 and Dilulin have been formulated for modern products. These linseed oil products help manufacturers make their goods with less pollution.

In paints, stains and other coatings

Dilulin, manufactured by Cargill Limited, substitutes for petroleum-based solvents in a wide range of paints, stains and other coatings. It provides good coverage and protection, while reducing solvents which are contributors to much pollution and smog. Solvent reduction is mandatory in many jurisdictions throughout the world. By adopting Dilulin, manufacturers reduce solvent use and meet environmental regulations.

In particleboard manufacturing

 

Archer #1, produced by Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM), also satisfies environmental concerns. Archer #1 acts as a co-adhesive in particleboard and hardboard manufacturing. It replaces some petro-chemicals in these wood products, thereby reducing the discharge of pollution-causing compounds during the manufacturing process. The composite wood products’ industry has experienced enormous growth recently, and is projected to produce about 33 billion square feet of oriented strandboard in North America by the year 2,000, according to ADM.

In flooring products

 

Linoleum, a flooring made of all-natural ingredients, also helps reduce pollution. Biodegradable linoleum decomposes completely when discarded, unlike petroleum-based vinyl floorings which remain solid much longer.

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