Flax (Linum usitatissimum)

1- Scientific Name

Linum usitatissimum – English Name: Flax

2- Family

Flax family: Linaceae

3- Botanical Description

An annual herbaceous plant with an erect stem reaching a height of 50–100 cm, smooth, with little branching. The leaves are lance-shaped, alternate on the stem, entire-margined, and stalkless. The flowers are gathered in axillary or terminal inflorescences, light blue in color. The fruit is a capsule, spherical in shape, 0.7–1.2 cm long, containing about 10 ovoid seeds inside; one end rounded and the other pointed, reddish-brown, shiny, 4–6 mm long and 2–3 mm wide.

4- Part Used

Mature seeds.

5- Active Compounds

Flax seeds contain a fatty oil at a concentration of 30–45%, composed of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, the most important being Linoleic acid, alpha linolenic acid, and Oleic acid, in addition to Palmitic acid and Myristic acid. The seeds also contain mucilaginous and lignan substances (lignans) reaching up to 22%, and are supplied with Omega-3 acids. The roots also contain Chlorogenic acid.

6- Medicinal Importance

Flax oil is used in pharmaceutical or food industries through formulation of products that work to:

• Treat skin inflammations such as acne, eczema, and burn healing, and treat hemorrhoids.
• Soften the stomach in cases of constipation.
• Relieve colon and intestinal irritation, and prostatitis.
• Reduce triglyceride levels, thereby protecting against heart and artery disease.
• Moisturize and protect hair from weather factors, reducing brittleness and promoting growth.

7- Acceptance Card

No.	Property	Specification
1	Color	Brown to reddish-brown – shiny
2	Texture	Hard
3	Odor	None
4	Fungal & Insect Infestation	Indicator: No unpleasant odors, foreign colors, or flying insects of any kind Limits: Infestation by storage insects (larvae, adult insects) not to exceed 1%
5	% Impurities	Not to exceed 5%
6	% Fatty Oil	Not less than 30% Note: oil quality and economic feasibility should be considered if the percentage falls below this
7	% Moisture	Not to exceed 10%

8- General Notes

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