Faithful Guardian of Health - Flax Seeds
For centuries, people have been using flax seeds to maintain their health. Even the name of the plant "flax" in translation from the Latin language means "the most useful", since many valuable elements have been found in it. A wonderful tissue is made from the stems of the culture, the seed is dried or oil is squeezed out of it.
100 g of product contains thousands of tiny seeds, which contain many vitamins, trace elements, minerals and fatty acids.
General information and benefits for the body
When a person is faced with health problems, they try to use all the options to get better. The more information he has, the faster he can recover. Therefore, first, let's consider what chemical elements are stored in flax seeds. According to authoritative sources, the product contains a whole arsenal of useful substances. Here are just a few of them:
- Vitamins of group A, C, F, E.
- Polysaccharides.
- Selenium.
- Iron.
- Lignin.
- Aluminum.
- Zinc.
- Potassium.
- Calcium.
- Fatty acids of the "Omega" class.
- Manganese.
- Chromium.
- Essential oils.
This is just a tiny fraction of the elements contained in this wonderful grain. Some of them improve vision and have a beneficial effect on brain function. Others reduce the risk of cancer. Vitamins are actively involved in metabolism, which means that the aging process slows down. Polysaccharides remove toxic substances from the body, therefore, contribute to a quick recovery from food poisoning. With the help of iron, the level of hemoglobin in the blood is maintained. Potassium improves the functioning of the heart muscle.
An amazing flax seed, the use of which helps to strengthen blood vessels and protects them from cholesterol - a truly "magic" product. This is achieved thanks to the Omega 3 acids, which are considered to be a powerful antioxidant. The lignin contained in the shell of the seed, miraculously absorbs various substances and removes it from the body.
A good understanding of how flaxseed works on the body, its use and what it heals, makes it possible to maintain your health. Among other things, I would like to mention its main medicinal properties:
- anti-inflammatory;
- bactericidal;
- pain relievers;
- enveloping;
- softening;
- expectorant;
- laxative;
- wound healing.
In addition, the seeds are rich in fiber, which can dissolve in liquid. As a result, flax seeds are used to cleanse the intestines and fight internal inflammatory processes. Summing up, we note the unique effect of the product on the body as a whole:
- Regular consumption of seeds improves the digestive tract.
- Stimulates blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
- Increases the body's defenses.
- Reduces the risk of cancer.
- Helps in the treatment of hypertension.
- It has a beneficial effect on the liver.
- Removes toxins from the body.
Before you start taking any remedy, it is advisable to know its benefits and harms. Flax seeds, as a medicinal product, sometimes have a negative effect on the body.
"All that glitters is not gold" - product contraindications
Despite the fact that flax seed is widely used in the treatment of various diseases, it can also bring harm to the body. Therefore, this important fact should be considered before use.
Many would agree that any drug serves as a medicine in a certain amount. As soon as the dose exceeds the norm, it becomes poison. This rule also applies to plant substances. Even an excess of ordinary food can poison the body, especially medicine.
Despite the beneficial properties, flax seeds have contraindications. One of the reasons is the content of cyanogenic glycosides in the product. The name of the substance suggests the presence of a fast-acting poison - hydrogen cyanide. In small quantities, non-toxic forms (thiocyanites) promote a good metabolism. Therefore, it is important to know how to take flaxseed, balancing the benefits and harms of the medication. If a person eats 2 tablespoons of the substance every day, carefully controlling the dose, he can sleep peacefully. An excess of the amount of the drug leads to the accumulation of cyanide in the body, which gradually poisons it. In the end, it can be fatal.
When using flax seeds for treatment, you must adhere to the recommendations of your doctor or the instructions written on the package.
The product causes serious harm to humans if the storage conditions are violated. Scientists have noticed that under the influence of oxygen, various changes occur in the seeds. As a result, toxic elements are formed that adversely affect the body. In addition, flax is an obstacle to the absorption of iodine by cells, so it is advisable to take it 60 minutes after a meal.
As you know, flax seed and oil squeezed from it are widely used in cooking. For most people this is not a problem, but still some have side effects:
- frequent urge to empty the bowels;
- painful abdominal cramps;
- diarrhea;
- nausea and vomiting;
- bloating, flatulence.
Sometimes a person may experience emotional distress, a sharp drop in blood pressure and allergy symptoms (hives, itching, nasal congestion). Flaxseed oil has an effect on blood clotting, so it is better for those taking thinning medications to refuse the substance.
Before you start consuming this drug, you need to do a blood test, as well as check the kidneys, bladder and gall bladder for stones.
Pregnant ladies deserve special attention. According to experts, one should consider not only the benefits of flaxseed for women, but also the harm of this product on her body and the unborn child. Sometimes elements of flax cause the development of uterine cancer, endometriosis and fibroids. Women who have problems with the thyroid gland should be picky about the methods of treatment with folk remedies.
Practical tips for using the product
Currently, overweight people use flax seeds for weight loss. How to take a substance to achieve your goal without harming your health? Let's take a look at some practical tips.
Nutritionists say that with proper intake of flax, you can lose about 2 kg of weight in a month. To do this, they recommend including 1 tablespoon of seeds in the diet every day as an addition to such dishes:
- fermented milk products (kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk, sour cream, cottage cheese);
- honey;
- porridge (oatmeal, wheat, buckwheat);
- soups, borscht;
- fruit compotes and jam.
Broth lovers can pour 2 tablespoons of seeds with boiling water to drink in small doses throughout the day. A good effect will be if dry seeds are washed down with water. The main thing is not to exceed the daily norm of the product - 50 g.
To know how to use flax seeds for weight loss, first of all, it is important to adhere to the wise recommendations of experts:
- Before you start taking the substance, you should consult your doctor.
- Never prepare a drug for future use, so that it does not lose its beneficial properties.
- To make a drink or a decoction, flax seeds must first be thoroughly ground (using a coffee grinder).
- Taking the seeds continuously is not recommended. It is important to take breaks - 10 days of treatment, the same amount of rest.
- When taking flax dry, you should drink plenty of clean water to avoid constipation.
- Store the product in a glass container in a cool place.
Consider several popular recipes on how to take flax seeds to cleanse the body and lose weight quickly.
Tincture
2 tablespoons of seeds are poured into a thermos, after which they are poured with two glasses of boiling water. The flask is closed and insisted for 12 hours (can be done overnight). The finished drink is taken 0.5 cups 4 times a day half an hour before meals.
Decoction
A teaspoon of flaxseed is poured into a glass of hot water. Put on moderate heat and cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. The finished product is taken in the same way as the tincture. As necessary, each time a new portion of the broth is prepared.
Kissel
The crushed seeds are added to the fruit compote and infused for several hours. When the seed swells, it makes a healthy dietary treat. The dish is prepared at the rate of: 1 cup of compote - 1 tablespoon of crushed seeds.
Dairy additive
Chopped flaxseed is diluted in low-fat yogurt or kefir. After 10 minutes, drink like medicine. For the first week, 1 teaspoon of the product is placed in a glass of liquid. In the second - two, and in the third - three teaspoons.
Porridge
Buckwheat porridge is mixed with crushed flax seeds. Then pour boiling water over it. Cover, wrap with a towel so that the dish is infused. An hour later, butter and salt are added to it. If desired, the porridge is seasoned with raisins or honey.
As you know, every person is different, therefore, any treatment should take into account possible contraindications. Refuse from this method of cleansing the body should be people who have a number of problems:
- tendency to allergic reactions;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- hepatitis;
- cholelithiasis;
- diabetes;
- cholecystitis;
- violation of blood clotting;
- prostate in men;
- endometriosis;
- ulcerative colitis;
- pancreatitis.
In other cases, flax seeds have a beneficial effect on the body. The secret of losing weight lies in the fact that getting inside the body, the seed swells and noticeably increases. As a result, a feeling of satiety arises, and the person loses weight.
Flax seeds - help for beauties
Probably every woman is trying to somehow prolong her youth. A wonderful idea for women of fashion - a seed mask for the face. Thanks to the rich chemical composition of the product, good results can be achieved. In addition to the above elements, it contains:
- folic acid;
- niacin;
- thiamin (vitamin B1);
- choline.
Each of them has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face. Folic acid promotes rapid healing of skin microcracks. Niacin and thiamine are referred to as "youth agents" because they affect the premature appearance of wrinkles. Choline soothes any skin irritation. There are many recipes for making face masks using flax seeds. Let's consider several options.
For acne
One spoon of crushed seeds is mixed with blue clay. Then the dry mixture is diluted with fruit tea to get a homogeneous mass. Finally, add 4 drops of wood oil. The mask is applied to the face after steaming it. After 20 minutes, wash off with clean water.
For acne
A tablet of activated carbon and aspirin is ground into powder, then mixed and diluted with linseed tincture. Apply to cleansed face, spreading the liquid over the entire surface of the skin. Soak for about 7-8 minutes and wash off.
From wrinkles
Corn starch (15 grams) is mixed with pyridoxine, and then 30 ml of flaxseed decoction is poured.Apply gently to face and stand for 30 minutes. The procedure is repeated every evening for 21 days.
As you can see, making such a mask at home is quite simple. The main thing is not to lose hope and to act and old age will not find us at home.