Tag: Linseed vs flaxseed

Originating in the Middle East over 6,000 years ago, the common flax plant (*Linum usitatissimum*) has served humanity as a food and fiber crop for millennia. This extensive history and global spread is precisely why many people wonder: are linseed and flax the same thing?

According to the National Health Service in the UK, constipation can be effectively managed by increasing dietary fiber intake, and one popular home remedy involves using flaxseeds or linseeds. Despite the differing names, both refer to the seed of the flax plant, making their nutritional value for constipation relief identical.

Dating back thousands of years to ancient civilizations, flaxseed is a tiny nutritional powerhouse often referred to by another name. This dual terminology begs the question: What is the difference between linseeds and flax seeds, and are they really the same thing?

The common flax plant, *Linum usitatissimum*, gives us both linseed and flaxseed. Given this fact, many people ask: 'Can I substitute linseed for flaxseed?' The short answer is yes, as they are the same seed, but the terminology often dictates the intended use, particularly for the oils.