Cold-pressed linseed oil – what are its properties and how should it be used?

Not all oils are the same, and linseed oil seems to be the best example of this. Cold-pressed linseed oil is an extremely valuable product that promotes health, cleanses the body and replenishes deficiencies in many nutrients. It is characterised by a mild, slightly nutty flavour, as well as a wealth of active substances preserved through gentle cold pressing. What is worth knowing about cold-pressed linseed oil and its effects on our bodies?

Cold-pressed oils – what exactly are they?

Before we focus on linseed oil and its wide range of culinary and health benefits, it is worth taking a closer look at what exactly cold-pressed oils are. If we want to incorporate healthy products into our daily diet, sooner or later we will turn to cold-pressed oils. Considered to beof higher quality and healthier than refined oils, they retain their active ingredients for a long time thanks to the low temperatures used and the absence of refining.

Cold-pressed oils are extracted from plants and seeds using exceptionally gentle screw presses, without any additional heat treatment. They are then usually filtered and bottled, whilst skipping the refining stage. As a result, cold-pressed oil is suitableonly for cold use, such as flavouring hot dishes.

Linseed oil – what are its health benefits?

Linseed oil, extracted from common flax seeds, is also sometimes referred to as ‘Budwig linseed oil’ and is a plant-based source of Omega-3 fatty acids. Due to its natural sediment containing lignans and other active compounds, it is an excellent natural health remedy. It is characterised by many beneficial properties with varied effects. These affect almost all of the human body’s organ systems. So, what properties are we talking about?

• Lowering bad cholesterol – cold-pressed linseedoilincreases levels of good cholesterol and helps prevent atherosclerosis. It improves the elasticity of blood vessels, thereby enhancing overall blood circulation. It also reduces the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes and high blood pressure;
• Supports the digestive system –it improvesbowel motility and relieves constipation. It also stimulates the liver, which has been cleansed of toxins;
• It supports brain health –it preventsthe destruction of nerve cells and improves the transmission of nerve impulses. In this way, it supports the functioning of the nervous system, including the brain. It promotes good memory and concentration;
• It aids weight loss –it speeds upmetabolic processes, stimulating the breakdown of body fat. As a result, it helps maintain a healthy body weight and reduces body fat;
• It regulates the endocrine system –it normaliseshormone levels;
• It strengthens immunity –it hasa regenerative effect, and its high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E supports the entire immune system.

What does linseed oil contain?

Linseed oil is one of the few edible oils with a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6. Furthermore, cold-pressed linseed oil is a rich source of vitamin E. Vitamin E is particularly beneficial for skin regeneration. It also contains accompanying substances such as sterols and vitamin B. It is also rich in magnesium, potassium and iron. The first two minerals mentioned play an important role in transmitting signals to nerve and muscle cells. Magnesium also helps improve bone strength, whilst iron is a valuable component that aids oxygen transport in the blood.

Cold-pressed linseed oil – what can it be used for?

Linseed oil is extremely versatile and can be used both in the kitchen and for skincare. In the kitchen, you should not cook or fry food in linseed oil, as heating it causes the loss of important nutrients.

Cold-pressed linseed oil, on the other hand, is ideal for cold dishes, salads, quark and yoghurt. It can also be taken in its pure form, straight from a spoon. However, not everyone finds this method suitable, which is why linseed oil is also available in capsule form.

Flaxseed oil also has a wide range of applications in cosmetology. Applied directly to the skin, it improves its condition, moisturises it and rejuvenates it. Whether used in combination with creams and face masks, or in its pure form, it can be used to effectively moisturise the face overnight. The oil also strengthens and stimulates hair growth. When massaged into the scalp or used to oil the hair, it is easily absorbed, meaning it is easy to wash out.

Linseed oil – what are its benefits?

Cold-pressed linseed oil can help in many ways and have a positive effect on the whole body. However, preventative practices that had long been forgotten have only regained popularity in recent years. This is particularly true as linseed oil is a valuable source of Omega-3 fatty acids. So what are the benefits of cold-pressed linseed oil?

• It regulates blood pressure, blood lipid levels and blood sugar – Omega-3 fattyacidscan lower blood pressure. They have a variety of health-promoting effects on the cardiovascular system. The oil also regulates blood lipid levels; with regular consumption, cholesterol levels can be reduced and blood lipid profiles visibly improved. Furthermore, according to recent research, it also helps to reduce and prevent the symptoms of diabetes. It regulates blood sugar levels and may actually prevent the onset of diabetes;
• It improves kidney health –the kidneysare primarily responsible for flushing toxins out of the body via urine. They are therefore also highly susceptible to inflammation. In a study conducted on chronically ill patients with kidney problems, cold-pressed linseed oil demonstrated a positive effect on organ function. The presence of Omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-linolenic acid appears to be responsible for this effect;
• It nourishes the skin –cold-pressedlinseed oil has a particular beneficial effect on the skin. People suffering from dermatitis and psoriasis recommend linseed oil as an effective remedy for relieving itching and providing the skin with essential nutrients. It regenerates and heals the skin from within, restoring its elasticity and proper moisture levels;
• Weight-loss benefits –ifyou’re looking to lose weight, it’s worth considering incorporating linseed oil into your weight-loss regime. Fats play a key role in weight loss, and healthy fats, such as linseed oil, are vital throughout the process. It improves bowel function and also curbs cravings for sweets and foods high in fat. It also promotes a positive energy balance by stimulating fat burning throughout the body.

Drinking linseed oil – can you drink it?

The use of linseed oil has been known for millennia and is particularly well-documented in the history of ancient Greece. It is probably the first oil to have been produced in European history, dating back to ancient times. From then until now, one of the most common ways of using linseed oil has been to drink it.

By drinking as little as a dozen or so drops of oil a day, mixed with water or fruit juice, we provide the body with all the valuable nutrients that revitalise the entire body, promoting its regeneration and improving overall health. The oil can be mixed with drinks or taken on its own, either as a liquid or in the form of ready-to-buy, easy-to-swallow capsules that mask its taste.

Cold-pressed linseed oil – hair oil treatment

Every day, our hair is exposed to environmental stress, whether from the weather, heat, improper care or excessive chemical treatments. Unhealthy hair leads to split ends, frizz and breakage. Budwig flaxseed oil is an interesting remedy here. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps regenerate scalp cells. As a result, it gives the hair elasticity, shine and moisture, improves its apparent density and stimulates further, accelerated growth.

Cold-pressed linseed oil – what can it be combined with?

Linseed oil can be used as a daily addition to your cooking. It can also be combined with many dietary supplements and given to pets. In the kitchen, Budwig flaxseed oil should be used cold, in dressings, dips, quark-based dishes, smoothies and oat-based drinks. Cold-pressed flaxseed oil adds flavour to cooked, slightly cooled food.

Linseed oil with quark – a tasty and healthy combination

The combination of linseed oil and quark deserves special mention. A traditional Silesian speciality is jacket potatoes served with linseed oil and quark. As it turns out, the combination of quark and linseed oil has many positive effects on our health. A diet rich in protein, combined with linseed oil, promotes intestinal peristalsis, aiding the absorption of the oil’s active nutrients and the amino acids found in cottage cheese, and having a noticeable positive effect on the health of both the nervous and muscular systems.

Furthermore, Budwig flaxseed oil has been thoroughly researched in combination with cottage cheese by the German nutritionist Dr Johanna Budwig, after whom one of the names for flaxseed oil is derived. She discovered that combining quark with linseed oil – with its natural composition of lignans and other bioactive compounds – contributes to a noticeable improvement in the health of patients suffering from heart disease or diabetes.

Cold-pressed linseed oil – how should it be stored correctly?

The most important thing to bear in mind when using cold-pressed linseed oil is its tendency to oxidise rapidly when exposed to air. With this in mind, linseed oil production techniques employ methods to prevent oxygen and sunlight from entering the bottle. Linseed oil should always be kept in dark bottles.

Before opening a bottle of oil, it should be stored at room temperature in a darkened room where it is not exposed to sunlight. Once opened, however, it should be kept in the fridge – the low temperature and sealed environment will reduce the rate at which the oil’s nutrients oxidise, ensuring it remains tasty and fresh for a long time.

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