All about Flax Seed

Since going natural, I’ve been on a quest to find products that would work on my hair better than commercial stuff. I’ve kind of stayed away from natural shampoos etc. but pretty much everything else is homemade. So when I came across comments and stories about flax seed gel, I first thought “what on Earth is flax seed?”. Then Emma told me about how she uses it and makes it herself at home. I never really gave it much thought after that until about a week ago when I noticed my ORS Lock and Twist gel is starting to run low. So instead of planning on buying a new one, I figured maybe I can give it a go. I pass by packets of flax seeds every week when grocery shopping and it’s affordable (I think) so hey, why not right? If something natural can work just as well as something commercial but it’s more beneficial because of its natural properties, I’m game! But I also need to do a bit of research. Here’s what I’ve found so far on flax seeds…

Flax is an erect annual plant growing to 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) tall, with slender stems. The leaves are glaucous green, slender lanceolate, 20–40 mm long and 3 mm broad. The flowers are pure pale blue, 15–25 mm diameter, with five petals; they can also be bright red. The fruit is a round, dry capsule 5–9 mm diameter, containing several glossy brown seeds shaped like an apple pip, 4–7 mm long.

Flax is grown both for its seeds and for its fiber. Various parts of the plant have been used to make fabric, dye, paper, medicines, fishing nets, hair gels, and soap. Flax seed is the source of linseed oil, which is used as an edible oil, as a nutritional supplement, and as an ingredient in many wood finishing products. Flax is also grown as an ornamental plant in gardens.

Brown Flax Seeds

Flax seeds come in two basic varieties: (1) brown; and (2) yellow or golden. Most types have similar nutritional characteristics and equal numbers of short-chain omega-3 fatty acids. The exception is a type of yellow flax called solin (trade name Linola), which has a completely different oil profile and is very low in omega-3 FAs. Although brown flax can be consumed as readily as yellow, and has been for thousands of years, it is better known as an ingredient in paints, fiber and cattle feed. Flax seeds produce a vegetable oil known as flaxseed or linseed oil, which is one of the oldest commercial oils, and solvent-processed flax seed oil has been used for centuries as a drying oil in painting and varnishing.

Benefits for the hair:

Flaxseed is very rich in Omega-3 oils, those essential fatty acids that are so important for our health, and the health of our skin and hair.

Regular Users of Flaxseed on their hair are reporting that there was a notable difference in helping to prevent hair loss as well as strengthening the hair. Users found that their scalp felt good thus producing nice healthy vibrant strong hair. We are finding this now to be a common case that users of flax seed are finding less and less hair on their pillows and since using flax seed on their hair less has been falling out and their existing hair feels stronger and more vibrant.

Hair Products

There are many products you can buy on the market now that contain Flaxseed nutrition. These can be found in hair sprays, hair mousses etc.

Recipes I’ve found:

2 Tbsp Whole Flax Seeds
1 cup water
Pure Aloe Vera Gel, if desired
Few drops of essential oil for scent

or:

½ cup of flax seed
3 cups of water (use 1½ to 2 cups for a slightly thicker gel)
1 oz Avocado Oil
1 oz Aloe Vera Gel

Instructions:

Bring water to a boil. Stir the seeds into the water and reduce heat. Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until a gel-like lotion is formed. Strain through a fine strainer or cheesecloth into a small bottle. Add essential oils and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If desired, you can add some pure aloe vera gel for its moisturizing properties. Fill the bottle with flax seed gel until bottle is about 3/4 full, then fill to the top with pure aloe vera gel. Gel will not flake or make the hair hard or crunchy. Safe to use everyday.