Flaxseed has been known throughout time to be a natural treatment for a variety of disorders. Flaxseed has been part of the diet for thousands of years and is considered the worlds oldest grain. It can be traced back to the burial chambers of 3000 BC in Babylonia. Several uses and cultivation of flaxseed were inscribed in these chambers. Theophrastus, an early Greek philosopher, recommended flaxseed to treat chronic cough. The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, wrote about the use of flaxseed to help constipation all the way back in 700 BC. There are two types of cultivated flax. One type of flax is grown just for the seed. The other type of cultivated flax is grown for fiber.

Several modern medical studies has shown that the ingestion of one spoonful of flaxseed (whole or oil) can be linked to lower cholesterol, lower risk of cancer, reduce risk of heart attack, and can act to reverse the aging process.

Flaxseed oil is extracted from flax seeds. Flaxseed oil has several industrial uses and is called linseed oil in paints, varnishes, and linoleum. The eatable form of flaxseed oil is high in protein, potassium, and beta-carotene. It has omega-3 fatty acids, and linoleic acids. There is a great deal of scientific data that suggests that flaxseed oils help to fight against constipation and IBS, high cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease and heart attack.

LL Cool J and Hillary Swank were both introduced to flaxseed by physical trainers to help build pounds of muscles while maintaining lean and athletic bodies. Flaxseed oil is thick and has a rich nutty taste to it. However, it will lose many of its ingredients if cooked so it is suggested to be used in salad and sandwich dressings. It can be used as a substitute for other less vitamin rich oils. Additionally, flaxseed can be eaten whole the same way peanuts or walnuts are. Whole flaxseed is great in stir fry or Chinese food. Flaxseed oil must be kept cold and stored away from the sun because it can spoil easily and is sensitive to heat.