Domestication and Introduction of Flaxseed, Plant with Dual Use of Oil and Fiber

Flax is one of the oldest human food crops that was cultivated in the Mediterranean, the Caucasus, and the Far East from 10,000 to 15,000 BC, and was used as a fiber and seed. The plant was planted around 5000 BC in Iran and it is one of the oldest crops in the country. In current years, this plant this plant is one of the forgotten plants in Iran, and very little research has been done about it. The cultivating flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) has numerous economic values and has considerable comount of oil, protein and fiber. Flaxseed oil is the richest source of omega-3 fatty acids in the world, which is twice as the amount of omega-3 in fish oil (in equal volume). In addition to being an industrial plant, Flax also is an important medicinal plant, and its constituent compounds are a guarantor of human health. In addition to its production potential, flax has been introduced as a nutritional supplement. Flax oil is used in the preparation of paint, printing compound, insulating fabrics, soap and flooring. Fibers derived from linseed are used for the production of paper, carpet weaving, blankets, ropes and insulators. Flax is rich in unsaturated fatty acid (ALA) (alpha-linolenic acid). The oil of this plant or extracts of its fatty acids plays an important role in the enhancement of children's vision, skin retention, decreasing of blood cholesterol, inflammation prevention, breast and intestinal cancer and stomach enhancement.