| Flax is a fairly tall and slender plant that features vivid | | | | production of flax fiber. For example, a major |
| green leaves and vibrant pale blue flowers. Flax, both | | | | component of the fabric linen is flax fiber. It is believed |
| in its pure plant form as well are from its seeds and | | | | that humans have been using flax fiber to make |
| fibers, has an astonishing array of uses. Flax is used in | | | | clothing for thousands of years, so it is clear that flax |
| such diverse applications as foodstuffs, clothing, | | | | fiber has some serious staying power. Flax fiber is |
| medications and nutritional supplements, and flax once | | | | extracted from the derma of the flax stem, and it is |
| even has some automotive uses before the advent of | | | | used in products such as clothing, rope, bank notes, |
| automotive synthetics. While flax can be grown in a | | | | and even cigarette papers. |
| wide variety of locations, it is most commonly | | | | Flax is primarily cultivated in northern Europe. Flax is |
| produced commercially in northern Europe, most | | | | harvested while still green as the quality of flax fiber |
| notably in Ireland and several of the former members | | | | quickly declines once the flax seeds reach maturity. |
| of the Soviet Union. | | | | Unlike many other agricultural products, flax is not |
| The seeds of the flax plant are used in a number of | | | | cut--rather, flax is pulled up from the ground with the |
| ways. For instance, the oil of the flax seed is useful as | | | | roots intact in order to achieve the maximum fiber |
| a drying agent in various kinds of paints and varnishes. | | | | length. After harvest, flax undergoes threshing. |
| Additionally, since flax seed oil is high in omega-3 fatty | | | | Threshing involves the use of machines to separate |
| acids (an important nutrient found most commonly in | | | | out the important parts of the flax plant--the wood, the |
| fish that is lacking in many American diets) the extract | | | | fiber, and the seed. |
| of the flax seed can be used as a source of | | | | Flax is one of the most diverse cultivated plants in the |
| Omega-3 either in its pure form or, more commonly, as | | | | world. The uses of flax and flax by-product range |
| a component of a nutritional supplement. Flax seed can | | | | from food and nutritional supplements to the use of its |
| also be eaten, and many cultures have utilized it as a | | | | fibrous components in ropes, twine, and clothing. While |
| food source, as well as for livestock feed. Flax extract | | | | flax is rarely consumed directly (though parts of the |
| can also be used as a binding agent and can therefore | | | | flax plant are edible), the seeds as well as flax seed |
| replace eggs in baking recipes. | | | | extract are a common component in many foods. |
| Flax finds most of its more visible uses through the | | | | |