Flaxseed (Alsi) has been used in Ayurvedic medicine in India for thousands of years. Flaxseed is always available in the form of seed, oil, powder, tablets, capsules, and flour. People use it for a long time in food to prevent constipation, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases.
Do you know about the nutrients of flaxseed? It is a storehouse or the powerhouse of elements such as lignans, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) or omega-3. Consuming these nutrients of flaxseed can help to reduce the risk of various diseases.
You must use flaxseeds(alsi) every day at home. It is used in many home recipes, such as making ladoo, sprinkling on salad, consuming its powder, etc. Although the seeds are very small in size, they have so many qualities which you cannot imagine. Do you know that the flax seed which you all use only as a food item can also cure diseases? Yes, there are other benefits of linseed too.
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What Is Flaxseed (Alsi) ?
Another name for Alsi is Teesi and, in English, flaxseed, and linseed. It is a type of herb that is also used as a medicine. According to the nature of the places, there is a difference in the color, shape, and size of the seeds. Flaxseeds are white, yellow, red, or slightly black in color across the country. Flaxseed (alsi) of hot regions is considered the best. Usually, people use flaxseed in the form of seeds and oil. The use of alsi can be beneficial in diseases of breath, throat, phlegm, and digestive system disorders including wounds etc.
Flaxseed(Alsi) Name in Different Languages
The botanical name of this flowering plant flaxseed is Linum usitatissimum L., Syn-Linum humile Mill., and it belongs to the Linaceae family. This species name, usitatissimum, means “most useful”, so it is very useful for good health. Flaxseed (alsi) is known by many names all over the world, which are:-
Flax seeds in –
- Flax seeds or linseed in Hindi – Teesi, Alsi
- Flax seeds or linseed in Urdu – Alasi
- Alsi in English – Linseed, Flax plant, Common flax
- Flaxseeds in Sanskrit – Atsii, Neelpushpi, Uma, Masreena, Parvati,
- Flaxseeds in Oriya – Pesu
- Flaxseeds or Linseed in Uttarakhand – Alsi
- Flaxseeds or Alsi in Kannada – Agasebeej, Semeagase, Alashi
- Flaxseeds or Linseed in Konkani – Sonnbiam
- Alsi in Gujarati – Alshi
- Flaxseeds or Alsi in Tamil – Alivirai, Alshivirai
- Flaxseeds or Alsi in Telugu – Avisi,Ullusulu, Madanginjalu;
- Flaxseeds or Alsi in Bengali – Tisi, Masina, Asina
- Alsi in Punjabi – Alish, Alasi, Atashi
- Flaxseeds or Alsi in Marathi –Javas, Alashi
- Flaxseeds or Alsi in Malayalam – Agashi,Charm, Cherucana, Akasi
- Flaxseeds or Linseed in Nepali – Alasi
- Flaxseeds or Linseed in Arabic – Kettan, Bazrulkattan
How to Use Flaxseed or Alsi ?
Linseed or flaxseed is used in many ways, such as linseed seeds, powdered linseed, roasted linseed, linseed oil, etc. Linseed or flaxseed can be eaten cooked in vegetables, pulses, oatmeal. This also proves beneficial in all ways. But if you roast flaxseed or make powder of flaxseed seeds and consume it with lukewarm water, then it benefits your health more. You can consume linseed or flaxseed anytime from morning to night.
There are a number of recipes for flaxseed that are beneficial for health. Here is a recipe for flaxseed ladoos that enhances your taste and your health.
flaxseed(Alsi) ladoos recipe
Here’s a flaxseed ladoos recipe. The recipe uses jaggery instead of sugar, which makes it healthier than other ladoos that are prepared with sugar. The dry fruit added with flaxseed makes the ladoos healthy.
Ingredients of Flaxseed Ladoo
- 4 tbsp Flaxseed
- 3 tbsp jaggery
- 100 gm Cashew Nuts
- 100 gm Almonds
- 1 tbsp Raisins
- 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder
- Desi ghee for mixing
How to Make Flaxseed Ladoo
- Roast all the dry fruits and flaxseed separately at low flame.
- Keep it aside and let it cool. Finally, chop all the dry fruits and grind the flaxseed also.
- Mix the jaggery and ghee and all the dry fruits and flaxseed powder together. Now, add cardamom powder.
- The mixture is ready. Now start forming ladoo.
Flaxseed provides a good amount of protein, rich fiber, and omega 3 fatty acids. That helps lower the risk of some cancers, helps maintain a healthy weight, and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure also. Flaxseed is a good source of omega 3 fatty acids. Because of this property, it is very helpful for hair growth, shining and for glowing skin also.
Studies have shown that flax seeds (alsi) lower your LDL (bad cholesterol), and improve HDL (good cholesterol), thereby helping you to manage blood cholesterol levels and improving heart health . It is also an immunity booster food and has anti-ageing properties, so it is also good for skin and hair. Flax seeds or linseed are one of the best sources of protein for you. It is considered as a plant-based protein, which is a great option for vegetarians.