The Artistic Farmer

Linum usitatissimum. Linaceae                                                                    

Found wild in pastures, but mostly a cultivated crop. Leaves are small and pointed and pale green. The flowers are solitary and of a deep blue. The seed is the part used.

Use, internal:

Flaxseed is full of oil. It is very soothing, bland and tonic; valuable nutritive food to build up weak bodies, soothing the throat and entire stomach and intestinal linings. Valuable in pregnancy. Treatment for coughs, sore throats, cold, croup. Treatment also for pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis (as warm tea). Flaxseed oil is a valuable laxative for infants and invalids. Will relieve constipation and expel worms.

Use, external:

A superb poultice for abscesses, boils, swellings; as a cure for sprains, strained ligaments, bruises.

Dose:

Of the tea, made from one teaspoon of crushed seed to one cup of water (add honey and molasses to taste)-variable, to suit the individual. An average amount of linseed is a half cupful per adult once or twice a day. The seed should be carefully prepared by soaking overnight and draining away the water which contains some irritating properties. The soaked seed can be mixed raw with other cereals, or lightly cooked. Can also be added to vegetable soup in the same way as rice (after soaking). The soaked ground seed is excellent added to bread and cakes, about two tablespoons of prepared flaxseed to one pound of flour. It improves the digestive qualities of the bread or cakes, and keeps them from speedy drying out.

Flaxseed Poultice:

Make a thick mash of the ground seed by slowly stirring in boiling water. The poultice can be further improved by addition of other medicinal herbs, as linseed softens them and releases their healing powers along with its own. Grated carrot, shredded parsley, daisy leaves, flowers of St. John’s Wort, hops, poppy heads, are all good added to linseed poultice, the mash then being bound over the affected area in the usual way.

Flaxseed Drink:

Soak two ounces of flaxseed in enough water to cover. Steep overnight, then pour off the water and discard. Next, infuse the soaked linseed in two cups of water for several hours, standing in a warm place and stirring occasionally. Then strain the seeds out of the liquid and drink. If used to soothe coughs and chest ailments, add four ounces of honey and a handful of raisins.