Virgin Cold Pressed Organic FlaxSeed Oil (Linum usitatissimum) 1 2 4 8 16 32 oz.

Linseed oilLinseed oil, also known asflaxseed oil, is a colourless to yellowish oil obtained from the dried, ripened seeds of theflaxplant (Linum usitatissimum). The oil is obtained bypressing, sometimes followed bysolvent extraction. Linseed oil is adrying oil, meaning it canpolymerizeinto a solid form. Due to its polymer-forming properties, linseed oil can be used on its own or blended with combinations of other oils,resinsorsolventsas an impregnator, drying oil finish orvarnishinwood finishing, as apigmentbinder inoil paints, as aplasticizerand hardener inputty, and in the manufacture oflinoleum. Linseed oil use has declined over the past several decades with increased availability of syntheticalkydresins—which function similarly but resist yellowing.[1]Linseed oil is anedible oilin demand as anutritional supplement, as a source ofα-Linolenic acid, (anomega-3 fatty acid). In parts of Europe, it is traditionally eaten with potatoes andquark. It is regarded as a delicacy due to its hearty taste, that enhances the flavour ofquark, which is otherwise bland.[2]Chemical aspects[edit]Linseed oil is atriglyceride, like other fats. Linseed oil is distinctive for its unusually large amount ofα-linolenic acid, which has a distinctive reaction with oxygen in air. Specifically, the fatty acids in a typical linseed oil are of the following types:[3]The triply unsaturated α-linolenic acid (51.9-55.2%),The saturated acidspalmitic acid(about 7%) andstearic acid(3.4-4.6%),The monounsaturatedoleic acid(18.5-22.6%),The doubly unsaturatedlinoleic acid(14.2-17%).Having a high content of di- and triunsaturated esters, linseed oil is particularly susceptible to polymerization reactions upon exposure to oxygen in air. This polymerization, which is calleddrying,results in the rigidification of the material. The drying process can be so exothermic as to pose a fire hazard under certain circumstances. To prevent premature drying, linseed oil-based products (oil paints, putty) should be stored in air-tight containers.Like some other drying oils, linseed oil exhibitsfluorescenceunderUV lightafter degradation.[4]Uses[edit]Most applications of linseed oil exploit its drying properties, i.e., the initial material is liquid or at least pliable and the aged material is rigid but not brittle. The water-repelling (hydrophobic) nature of the resultinghydrocarbon-based material is advantageous.Paint binder[edit]Linseed oil is a common carrier used inoil paint. It can also be used as a painting medium, making oil paints more fluid, transparent and glossy. It is available in varieties such as cold pressed, alkali refined, sun bleached, sun thickened, and polymerised (stand oil). The introduction of linseed oil was a significant advance in the technology of oil painting.Putty[edit]Traditional glazingputty, consisting of a paste ofchalkpowder and linseed oil, is a sealant for glass windows that hardens within a few weeks of application and can then be painted over. The utility of putty is owed to the drying properties of linseed oil.Wood finish[edit]When used as awood finish, linseed oil dries slowly and shrinks little upon hardening. Linseed oil does not cover the surface as varnish does, but soaks into the (visible and microscopic) pores, leaving a shiny but not glossy surface that shows off the grain of the wood. A linseed oil finish is easily repaired, but it provides no significant barrier against scratching. Only wax finishes are less protective. Liquid water penetrates a linseed oil finish in mere minutes, and water vapour bypasses it almost completely.[5]Garden furnituretreated with linseed oil may developmildew. Oiled wood may be yellowish and is likely to darken with age. Because it fills the pores, linseed oil partially protects wood from denting by compression.Linseed oil is a traditional finish for gun stocks, though very fine finish may require months to obtain. Several coats of linseed oil is the traditional protective coating for the rawwillowwood ofcricketbats; it is used so that the wood retains some moisture. New cricket bats are coated with linseed oil andknocked-into perfection so they last longer.[6]Linseed oil is also often used bybilliardsorpoolcue-makers forcue shafts, as a lubricant/protectant for woodenrecorders, and used in place of epoxy to seal modern woodensurfboards. Additionally, aluthiermay use linseed oil when reconditioning aguitar,mandolin, or other stringed instrument's fret board;lemon-scentedmineral oilis commonly used for cleaning, then a light amount of linseed oil (or other drying oil) is applied to protect it from grime that might otherwise result in accelerated deterioration of the wood.Gilding[edit]Boiled linseed oil is used assizingin traditional oilgildingto adhere sheets of gold leaf to a substrate (parchment, canvas,Armenian bole, etc.) It has a much longer working time than water-based size and gives a firm smooth surface which is adhesive enough in the first 12–24 hours after application to cause the gold to attach firmly to the intended surface.Linoleum[edit]Linseed oil is used to bind wood dust, cork particles, and related materials in the manufacture of the floor coveringlinoleum. After its invention in 1860 byFrederick Walton, linoleum, or 'lino' for short, was a common form of domestic and industrial floor covering from the 1870s until the 1970s when it was largely replaced byPVC('vinyl') floor coverings.[7]However, since the 1990s, linoleum is on the rise again, being considered more environmentally sound than PVC.[8]Linoleum has given its name to the printmaking techniquelinocut, in which a relief design is cut into the smooth surface and then inked and used to print an image. The results are similar to those obtained bywoodcutprinting.Nutritional supplement and food[edit]Flax seed oil is easily oxidized, and rapidly becomes rancid, with an unpleasantodour, unlessrefrigerated. Even when kept under cool conditions, it has a shelf life of only a few weeks.[9][dubious–discuss]Oil with an unpleasant or rancid odor should be discarded. Oxidation of flax seed oil is a major commercial concern, and antioxidants may be added to preventrancidification.[10]Linseed oil is not generally recommended for use in cooking, yet one study does show that thealpha linolenic acid (ALA)while bound in flaxseed was found to be stable for cooking. When bound to flaxseed ALA can withstand temperatures up to 350 degrees F (176.67 C) for two hours.[11]Food-grade flaxseed oil is cold-pressed, obtained without solvent extraction, in the absence of oxygen, and marketed as edible flaxseed oil. Fresh, refrigerated and unprocessed, linseed oil is used as anutritional supplementand is a traditional European ethnic food, highly regarded for its hearty taste. It contains the highest level of theomega-3 fatty acidALA among vegetable oils.[12]Regular flaxseed oil contains between 52% and 63% ALA (C18:3n-3). Plant breeders have developed flaxseed with both higher ALA (70%) and very low ALA content (< 3%).[13]The USFDA granted generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for high alpha linolenic flaxseed oil.[14]Nutrient content[edit]Typical fatty acid content%[15]% European[16]Palmitic acid6.04.0–6.0Stearic acid2.52.0–3.0Arachidic acid0.50–0.5Palmitoleic acid-0–0.5Oleic acid19.010.0–22.0Eicosenoic acid-0–0.6Linoleic acid24.112.0–18.0Alpha-linolenic acid47.456.0–71.0Other0.5-Nutrition information from the Flax Council of Canada.[17]Per 1 tbsp (14 g)Calories: 126Totalfat: 14 gOmega-3: 8 gOmega-6: 2 gOmega-9: 3 gFlax seed oil contains no significant amounts of protein, carbohydrates or fibre.DisclaimerThe above statements have not been evaluated by the FDAThis information is for educational purposes only, it is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition. Nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. This information is for educational purposes only and may not be complete, nor may its data be accurate.All products are for manufacturing use only.