Flaxseed, the seeds of the flax plant is getting a lot of attention these days because of its omega-3 essential fatty acid (EFA) content. An article in the Irish Times gives a brief history of the use of flax, flaxseeds and flaxseed oil in linen and the supplement industry.
The article gives a variety of medicinal properties of flaxseed including reducing digestive problems, heart disease, sugar levels and cancer. It said flaxseed oil is one of the richest sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and has a high fiber content. In addition, flaxseeds contain lignans, which are plant sterols known to lower cholesterol levels.