Breathe Easy with Boiled Flax-seed Oil
85Flax is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world, grown as early as 7000 BC. It is grown for its seed and fiber. Flax grows best in cool climates, Russia and Canada being two of the leading growers in the world. It is planted after the danger of frost has past, and is harvested at different stages, depending on whether it is being grown for the seed or fiber. 1
The fiber is used to make linen fabric, rope, thread, high quality paper, and a variety of other products. The seed contains linseed oil, which is used commercially, to make varnishes and paints. In recent years, flax seed has been promoted as a health food, being high in fiber and protein.
There is another, lesser know, use of flax seed, that I would like to share with you:
Boiled Flax-seed Oil has the ability to clear the lungs of mucus, and help the body rid itself of disease.
1 World Book Encyclopedia; 1990 edition.
Note:
Boiled Flax-seed Oil is different than the Flax-seed Oil you can buy at the store. It affects the body differently, and one is not a substitute for the other.
My Story
Last spring, I visited a friend of mine, who is skilled in herbs and naturopathy, to see what she would recommend for lung problems associated with West Nile. My brother-in-law had contracted West Nile four years earlier, and was having ongoing problems due to it.
His lungs were the main source of irritation, always hurting, always susceptible to flu and cold. He could not work a full day without getting sick, and was often sick for a month or more at a time.
She recommended some basic herbs for strengthening the lungs, then paused and asked if we had tried flax-seed oil. She went on to explain that boiled flax-seed oil turned mucus to water, making it easy for the body to absorb and dispose of. She told me how to make boiled flax-seed oil, and strongly suggested we try it, before purchasing anything else.
That evening, I tried it out on my family. We all had stuffy noses and a cough, so I figured we would be the guinea pigs. After all, it couldn’t hurt anything. The next morning found every one breathing freely and all coughs gone. I passed the information on to my sister, who made her husband try it. He began getting better right away. It has not been a total cure for him, as his lungs are badly scared, but he can now work a full day, without getting sick.
How to Make
Boiled Flax-seed Oil
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups filtered Water
- 1 Tablespoon Flax Seed
Instructions:
- Place flax seed and water in small sauce pan and bring to a boil.
- Boil for eight minutes.
- Remove from heat.
The oil is now ready for use. It is the consistency of egg whites, and has the same binding properties. It can be taken directly or used in recipes, several of which I have listed below.
Having the consistence of egg whites, my family prefers it mixed in something else.
Flax-seed oil goes rancid quickly, so keep refrigerated and use within two days.
Clear Lung Infection with an Onion Poultice
Onion poultices have long been used to clear the lungs of heavy congestion and infection. Here is an excerpt from a Norwegian book:
"Then she asked for a kettle and opened her bag; first she took out four large onions; these she cut into tiny bits and dumped into the kettle; then she opened a bottle of vile-smelling stuff and poured some of its contents on the onions; at last she set the kettle over the fir and let it boil awhile. From this mixture she made thick poultices, which she put on Hans Olsa’s back and chest; but before she put them on she took out of her pocket a small rusty crucifix, mumbled some words over it, and stuck it into the poultice which was to lie on his chest. As she fixed these applications she made the sign of the cross over his chest and back. All the while she was muttering strange words, in a language they did not understand—whether a prayer or something worse they could not say. These poultices were to be kept on for twelve hours, … and hot cloths must be put over them to keep them warm. When the twelve hours were gone they must make a fresh poultice. …how to make it—with onions, a cup of linseed oil, one cup of fresh milk, and some flour. …"
--From Giants in the Earth, page 425
Our Results
Within a few hours, everyone was breathing easily. The coughs disappeared overnight.
I kept the treatment up for a few days, to make sure everyone was healthy.
After about three days of use, we began to notice a detoxifying affect. Our joints seemed to be releasing old hurts. Then, my husband and I began to get sick with virus like symptoms. It appears, that in all the detoxing, our bodies were releasing old viruses. (Viruses are stored in the spine, ready to attack when the immune system is weak.)
We upped our immunities with vitamin C, and cut back to using Flax-seed Oil every other day, until all symptoms where gone. Since then, we have used the Flax-seed Oil when ever a stuffy nose hits or a virus threatens, and remained well.
* These are my observations and my experience.
Flax-Nog
Serves 6
- 4 cups Milk
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla
- 1 recipe Boiled Flax-seed Oil
- Cinnamon to taste
In a blender, mix all ingredients until thoroughly blended. Serve.
Icy-Orange Drink
Serves 6
- 3 cups Ice Cubes
- 6 oz. Orange Juice Concentrate
- ½ cup Sugar
- 1 recipe Boiled Flax-seed Oil
- 2 ½ cups filtered Water
In blender, crush Ice Cubes. Add remaining ingredients, and blend thoroughly. Serve.
Other Uses
- Add to any shake or blended juice you enjoy.
- In quick breads and cakes: Replace half of the eggs with Boiled Flax-seed Oil, substituting 1/3 cup Oil for each egg.
- Add to soups, as a thickener or just for the health benefits.
- Mix into mashed potatoes.
- Stir into Oatmeal.
- Add to rice, before serving.
- I have successfully used it when baking Cheese Cake when I was out of eggs.
Warning: Do NOT cook with grains. The flax binds the water, making it impossible for the grain to absorb it and cook properly!
Benefits of Flax-seed Oil
- How to Make Whole Flax Seed Oil -Try It, Your Lungs ...
In 2005, my husband contracted West Nile Disease. So did several of our family friends. But whereas some of them recovered, without noticeable muscle tremors, lung problems, or noticeable residual viral... - Flaxseed Oil Benefits & Information
Flaxseed Oil Benefits & Information - What is Flax Seed? - Flaxseed:: The Small Seed Of Hope for Healthy Living.
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Excellent hub. I've used flax for several years now and have completely eliminated (whoops, unintended pun) all digestive problems. It's been a miracle find. I'm definitely going to try your concoction for lungs/coughs and your recipes sound yummy. By the way, could you tell me exactly what you mean by "filtered" water? Thanks, Christa.
How much would oil do you recommend taking as a daily dose?
Thanks
Looking forward to trying this tomorrow!
I will have to add this to my stash of natural remedies! My sister also made a pillow filled with flax seeds that can be a cold or warm soothing compress.
This info on boiled flax seed is new to me. Thanks so much! I plant to link your hub to my flax seed articles...well, I think I know how. Still learning!
Looking forward to reading your other work!
HAS ANYONE USED THE FLAXSEED OIL FOR BRONCHIECTASIS?
Very helpful! I will put this info to use! Thank you!
Hey Christa, I'm enjoying your un-alterego hubs. I especially like flax seeds for cooking but I have never tried boiling it. I had a nasty lung clogging cold a few months ago and I would have loved to try it. If it comes back I will--or maybe use your one tablespoon preventative method. Do you think you can freeze the mixture and then thaw it when needed? Cheers =:)
I have a lung problem so I will try it. Thanks. You may have helped me a lot. Thanks for including recipes too.
Thank you for the recipes and article. I know several people who could benefit from the flax seed oil for their lungs.
I have a box of flaxseed that I have stored in my pantry that I have had sometime. I noticed this morning I was supposed to refrigerate it after opening. The box is about half full, and I really don't want to just throw it away.
What do you think? Should I discard it?
I HAVE BEEN DRINKING BOILED LINSEED FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH AND FEELING GOOD, SUFFERED FROM STOMACH CRAMPS FOR A WHILE, I FIND IT SOOTHING AND REFRESHING.
JUST READ AN ARTICLE THAT SAYS BOILED FLAXSEEDS SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN AS THE BOILED OIL IS NOT DIGESTIBLE AND CAN BE HARMFUL.
I am a big fan of whole flax seeds, ground flaxnseeds and flax seed oil but have never considered this method of boiling the whole flax seeds for better digestion. What a great idea! Now I will be better able to absorb the oil inside the whole seeds and not mostly just pass them through. Thanks!!
I read somewhere that boiling flaxseeds destroy the omega 3 in it and so it becomes useless oil. Is it true?
Hi all,
I have used this for my chest infections and coughs.
It is pleasant with apple juice or in a smoothy, other than that the taste is yuk!
I find that it reduces the cough slightly but no where near to the levels that others say. In fact I have double the dose and find no side effects :)
When boiling the seed with water, do you eat the seeds too?
Very interesting I will try this on my mom and sister,both
use oxygen,,wonder if it will help them??
Also,if I take 1 table spoon of oil a day,,what would be the equal to that in ground seed?
I have been boiling the seeds and drinking the liquid for gallbladder symptoms. It is amazing. I saw this online and have been using it for 3 months. Boil 5 cups of water, add 2 Tbls. Raw flax seed. Boil for 5 minutes. Then steep for 10 minutes and strain. There is really no taste so I heat it and add some sugar free syrup like u add to lattes. It stores well in the fridge. I use it a couple of times each day especially before a meal to help digestion. My gallbladder is basically not functioning.
This winter season has been awfull for me. This is the 3rd time I had bronchitis. Recently I had a abdomen surgery so this time it felt horrible. I had a bad hacking cough & felt like my stitches are going to rip open. Nothing seemed to work. I tried your recipe of flaxseed oil added lemon & honey & oo la la. Within few hours I stopped having hacking cough instead just small coughs. 2 days of using this & already feel 75% better. Thank you so much.
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Meggin 3 years ago
i did not know that about flax seed. Although We have been enjoying some flax seed crackers to keep our "plumbing" regular. Thanks! I have been suffering from sinus crud and earaches.