Linseed oil, also known as flaxseed oil, is made from the seeds of the flax plant. The oil contains substances which promote good health. Linseed and linseed oil are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that appears to be beneficial for heart disease. ALA belongs to a group of substances called omega-3 fatty acids.

Good health requires the right ratio of Omega 3 fatty acids to Omega 6 fatty acids in the diet. The ideal ratio is around 1:2. Linseed oil is good for the heart because it is the richest source of alpha-linolenic acid. Linseed itself (ground or whole) also contains lignans, which may have antioxidant actions and may help protect against certain cancers, though not everyone agrees on this issue.

It prevents corrosion and dry rot. It has long been used as a drying oil, a vegetable oil which undergoes oxidation and forms a natural, plastic-like film. The reactivity of Linseed oil can be improved by the addition of metal catalysts, called driers, which promote oxidation, and by partially pre-oxidizing the Linseed oil through exposure to the air. It was found that the addition of solvents such as Mineral Spirits, Japan drier, and Turpentine would speed Linseed oil's drying time, making it a more useful product. It is a versatile substance, depending upon how it is processed. It is used in various industries as Paint industry, ink and printing industry, coating industry, adhesive industry, foundry industry, Wood Finish and many chemical industries.

Uses of Raw Linseed Oil

In the Paint industry

Raw Lin Seed oil is the most commonly used carrier in oil paint. It makes oil paints more fluid, transparent and glossy. For oil-based paints, slow drying is a benefit, since this allows the paint to "level" itself, giving a smoother finish with fewer brush marks. It is also used as a paint thinner.

Linseed oil acts as a paint binder. It 'binds' the other ingredients of the paint together, both while in paste or liquid form, and while drying after use. Paint consists of some kind of coloring agent, usually finely-ground pigments of some mineral. This fine dust needs something to make it wet so it can be spread around, and needs something to keep it uniform, 'floating', so it doesn't all clump up and settle to the bottom. Linseed oil serves this purpose. It seeps into most surfaces or materials it comes into contact with. It helps bind paint to canvas or wood, bind new paint into old paint, and blend one color with a different color very subtly.

In the leather industry

Linseed oil is used in the leather industry for leather treatment and polishing.