Linseed oil

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Linseed Oil

Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil or flax oil (Latin: Linum usitatissimum), is a colourless to yellowish oil obtained from the dried, ripened seeds of the flax plant (Linum usitatissimum). The oil is obtained by pressing, sometimes followed by solvent extraction.

Pronunciation

Linseed Oil: /ˈlɪnˌsiːd ˈɔɪl/

Etymology

The term "linseed oil" is derived from the Latin Linum usitatissimum. Linum is the genus name for flax, and usitatissimum means "most useful".

Related Terms

  • Flax: A member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is a food and fiber crop cultivated in cooler regions of the world.
  • Oil: Any neutral, nonpolar chemical substance that is a viscous liquid at ambient temperatures and is both hydrophobic (does not mix with water, literally "water fearing") and lipophilic (mixes with other oils, literally "fat loving").
  • Solvent extraction: A method to separate a compound into its parts based on the solubility of its parts.
  • Seed: A mature fertilized plant ovule, consisting of an embryo and its food source and having a protective coat or testa.

Uses

Linseed oil is an edible oil in demand as a nutritional supplement, as it is rich in alpha-linolenic acid (a form of omega-3 fatty acids). It is also used in wood finishes, paints, linoleum, and other applications that require a hardening oil.

Health Effects

Linseed oil contains the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is a precursor to the inflammatory-resolving eicosanoids, so it is considered an anti-inflammatory fat. It has been studied for its potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski