Author: Tracey McAlpine Category: Health, Heart Health, Men's Health, Nutrition, Supplements & Vitamins, Women's Health
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The more I learn about linseed the more remarkable this tiny seed becomes. 

Used over the centuries for everything from feeding cattle to the production of linoleum, better known to us as lino, the linseed is once again being recognised as a great health supplement.

One of the biggest problems with supplements is being sure you are buying the best quality, as inferior products will not give the health benefits that research is based on.  I was on the hunt for a really good supplier, and at last year’s Vitality Show I came across The Linseed Farm. The company is based in Horsham in West Sussex and run by farmer Durwin Banks and his sisters Gay and Wendy.  In 2000 Durwin decided to dedicate his land to the production of linseed and now produces 100 tons of these glossy brown seeds each year, making him the only farmer in the country to be growing, pressing and supplying fresh linseed oil.

Durwin plants the seeds in the spring after careful consideration to the weather and soil conditions and nurtures the plants until harvest in August.  The linseed plant is quite beautiful so the surrounding countryside is awash with tiny lilac flowers, looking more like a wildflower meadow than a crop.  The seeds are then stored ready for cold pressing throughout the year.  The traditional method of cold pressing ensures that the oil is never damaged as linseed oil shouldn’t be heated.  Nothing is wasted in the process of producing the seeds, oil or ground linseed meal.  The by-product of the oil production is formed into pellets for animal consumption, ensuring that cattle get all the benefits of linseed.

Blue linseed flax flower
The Linseed Farm has been growing high-quality linseed/flax since 2000

 

On my recent visit to The Linseed Farm, I was delighted to see the traditional method of cold pressing in action and to look through the many items of linseed memorabilia that Durwin has collected.  Do you remember Victory V’s? They were originally made from chlorodyne (a tincture of cannabis and chloroform) linseed and liquorice, no wonder they were addictive!  Durwin Banks is a mine of information about the benefits of oils on the body and regularly speaks at exhibitions and conferences, as well as having established a firm following on YouTube with his informative and entertaining videos.

I’ve been taking linseed from The Linseed Farm for over a year now, and when I had my recent BUPA check-up my cholesterol had reduced.  It wasn’t very high before but the HDL (‘good’) cholesterol had increased, and I’m sure this is due to taking more linseed and fish oils.

Linseed is available from The Linseed Farm either as the Culinary Oil, Life Pods, Vege Pods, Ground Linseed Meal or Brown and Golden Linseeds.  Prices from £3.95

The Linseed Farm

Read more about the benefits of linseed HERE