Herb & Essential Oil of the Month-Flaxseed

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Herb & Essential Oil of the Month

Flaxseed - Linum usitatissimum

Also known as Linseed, the source of linen fiber, linseed oil and

linoleum.

 

Flaxseed is a slender, graceful annual that grows 1 to 2 feet high

and blooms pretty blue flowers during the summer months. It forms

seeds at the tips of the branches. These seeds produce a very

important oil that is high in Omega 3 fatty acids, which is well

known for its anti-cancerous effects.

 

Flaxseed is cultivated for its seeds, fiber and oil. The high

quality fiber comes from the stem. It is soft, flexible and

lustrous. It's well known for making linen, but it is also used for

making sails, nets, paper and insulating materials.

 

It is impossible to tell how long Flaxseed has been cultivated due

to the fact that it spreads easily and has been found growing in

most all countries as far back as the Middle Ages.

 

Today, Flaxseed is by far the richest source of alpha-linolenic acid

(ALA), a parent compound in the Omega-3 fatty acids, compared to

fish which only contain trace amounts.

 

The whole seeds do not digest, so to get to the fatty acids, the

seeds should be crushed before use. A coffee grinder works well.

When soaked with water the flaxseeds begin to form a mucilage that

is soothing and lubricating. It is used to soothe tonsillitis, sore

throats, coughs, colds and constipation. Flaxseed tea is nice with

a little lemon and honey. Roast the seeds as a substitute for coffee.

 

The dried seeds eaten whole will soothe irritations throughout the

entire digestive tract. They swell by absorbing in fluids, drawing

in toxins and this acts as an effective bulk laxative.

 

The seed do not have much flavor and can be added to almost

anything. Add to salads or cereals, use when baking breads or

muffins, add to soups and other hot foods. It pretty much disappears

but the benefits go on. It really can go in almost anything. Fill a

Parmesan shaker jar with Flaxseed and keep on your table near the

salt and pepper.

 

Flaxseed (crushed) can be used as a poultice for arthritis,

inflammation and skin irritations. Its drawing effect make it great

for boils, abscess and infections.

 

Flaxseed oil can be drizzled over salads or simply be taken by the

spoonful. It is the quickest way to get all the benefits this small

seed has to offer.

 

Flaxseed is often used in Aromatherapy for its gentle weight. It is

added to herbal eye pillows and microwavable heat packs. The seeds

are quiet, non clumping and are often chosen over rice, buck wheat

hulls and cherry pits.

 

Medicinal Properties include: anodyne, astringent, cyanogenctic,

demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, suppurative

and vulnerary.

Seeds are considered emollient, demulcent, pectoral, diuretic, and

astringent.

 

Flaxseed Uses:

 

Aromatherapy - Use in hot or cold packs. Add other dried herbs for

added benefits.

Poultice - Use hot or cold for wounds, boils and inflammation.

Tea - Drink for most stomach disorders including constipation and

diarrhea.

Hair Care - Make a poultice and apply to wet hair. Leave on 5

minutes. Rinse.

Skin Care - Make a poultice and apply to skin. Use to speed

healing, reduce pain and soothe rashes.

Culinary - Add versatile seeds to soups, salads, baked goods,

infused oils, pretty much anything.

 

Cautions: Flax should be take with plenty of liquids. Some parts of

the plant contain toxins and should not be eaten in large

quantities. Livestock should not graze on pastures where it grows

in abundance.

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Recipes

Flaxseed Poultice - Grind seed and add enough water to make a paste.

Apply directly to affected area. Wrap with cloth leave on up to 3

hours.

 

Flaxseed Tea - 1 tablespoon of crushed seeds per cup of water. Let

partially dissolve, then drink, followed by a second cup of water.

 

Nighttime Herbal Eye Pillow

2 cups Flaxseed

1/4 cup Lavender

1/4 cup Chamomile

 

Combine ingredients and let blend up to 2 weeks. Sew a fabric case

desired size (approx 4 " x 8 " ). Fill case with herbs sew closed. Lay

head back, place over eyes and enjoy. Use room temperature to ease

into a restful night sleep or use frozen to help combat a headache.

 

Flax Bread

 

* 1 & #137; cups water

* 2 tbsp. honey

* 2 tbsp. canola oil

* 2 cups bread flour

* 1 cup whole wheat flour

* 1 & #136; tsp. salt

* 1/3 cup flaxseeds, ground or whole to taste

* 2 tbsp. sunflower seeds

* 1 tbsp. poppy seeds

* 2 tsp. fast rising instant yeast

 

Measure ingredients and place in bread machine pan in order

recommended by the manufacturer. Select Whole Wheat Rapid Cycle.

Remove baked bread from pan and let cool on wire rack. Yields 1 loaf.

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Ease The Stress - Stress on the Job

 

The nature of work is changing at whirlwind speed. Perhaps now more

than ever before, job stress poses a threat to the health of workers

and, in turn, to the health organizations.

 

According to The National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health, the Federal agency responsible for conducting research and

making recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness

and injury, job stress can be defined as the harmful physical and

emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do

not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job

stress can lead to poor health and even injury.

 

Job stress can be caused by a variety of factors - from heavy

workloads, infrequent rest breaks, long work hours or shift work,

hectic and routine tasks that have little inherent meaning and do

not utilize workers' skills, to conflicting or uncertain job

expectations, too much responsibility, too many " hats to wear,

unpleasant or dangerous physical conditions and on and on.

 

Stress sets off an alarm in the brain, which responds by preparing

the body for defensive action. The nervous system is aroused and

hormones are released to sharpen the senses, quicken the pulse,

deepen respiration, and tense the muscles. This response (sometimes

called the fight or flight response) is important because it helps

us defend against threatening situations. The response is

preprogrammed biologically. Everyone responds in much the same way,

regardless of whether the stressful situation is at work or home.

 

Short-lived or infrequent episodes of stress pose little risk. But

when stressful situations go unresolved, the body is kept in a

constant state of activation, which increases the rate of wear and

tear to biological systems. Ultimately, fatigue or damage results,

and the ability of the body to repair and defend itself can become

seriously compromised. As a result, the risk of injury or disease

escalates.

 

In the past 20 years, many studies have looked at the relationship

between job stress and a variety of ailments. Mood and sleep

disturbances, upset stomach and headache, and disturbed

relationships with family and friends are examples of stress-related

problems that are quick to develop and are commonly seen in these

studies. These early signs of job stress are usually easy to

recognize. But the effects of job stress on chronic diseases are

more difficult to see because

chronic diseases take a long time to develop and can be influenced

by many factors other than stress. Nonetheless, evidence is rapidly

accumulating to suggest that stress plays an important role in

several types of chronic health problems-especially cardiovascular

disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and psychological disorders.

 

Some employers assume that stressful working conditions are a

necessary evil - that companies must turn up the pressure on workers

and set aside health concerns to remain productive and profitable in

today's economy. But research findings challenge this belief.

Studies show that stressful working conditions are actually

associated with increased absenteeism, tardiness, and intentions by

workers to quit their jobs-all of which have a negative effect on

the bottom line.

 

Low morale, health and job complaints, and employee turnover often

provide the first signs of job stress. But sometimes there are no

clues, especially if employees are fearful of losing their jobs.

Lack of obvious or widespread signs is not a good reason to dismiss

concerns about job stress or minimize the importance of a prevention

program.

 

Nearly one-half of large companies in the United States provide some

type of stress management training for their work forces. Stress

management programs teach workers about the nature and sources of

stress, the effects of stress on health, and personal skills to

reduce stress - for example, time management or relaxation

exercises. Stress management training may rapidly reduce stress

symptoms such as anxiety and sleep disturbances; it also has the

advantage of being inexpensive and easy to implement. In small

organizations, informal discussions that help identify stress

problems may also produce fruitful ideas for prevention.

 

It is not possible to give a universal prescription for preventing

stress at work, however, becoming aware of the things that cause you

the most stress and eliminating or limiting them, can go a long way

towards easing your job stress.