ABSTRACT:
Linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is highly nutritious, unique and emerging among oilseeds for its technical grade vegetable oil producing ability and containing 35-45% oil. Recent advances in medical research have found linseedis nature's miraculous plant and best herbal source of e-3 and e-6 fatty acids that are abundent in fish oilswhich have immense nutritional/medicinal effect on human body system. Linseed is one of the richest sources of o-3 fatty acids (a-linolenic acid) known to man. Whole linseed, oil, lignan precursors, and its mucilage have many potential uses in the prevention or treatment of various diseases viz. reduce the risk of blood sugarandcholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, lupus, nephritis, arteriosclerosis; anticancer effects on breast, prostate and colon cancers; regulating menstrual cycle, healthy balance in body, brain, may improve acneand even peace of mind; induction of blood clottingete. Linseed has been classified as functional food because it provides numerous health benefits in addition to serving as a source of nutrients. Linseed is a good source of complete protein (all 8 essential amino acids), high order linolenic acid, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, some soluble and insoluble fibre, orbitides and lignans. Therefore, linseed havingexellent and multifarious medicinal benefits.