The flax (Linum usitatissimum - also known as linseed) herb has a tall, leafy stem and pale blue flowers. It produces tear-shaped, shiny and flat, brown or yellowish seeds. Flaxseed yields both oil from pressing and a gel-like mucilage is obtained by exposing it to water. These have been widely used in traditional herbal and modern medicine.

Flax plant is a popular source of linen. The fibre is obtained by a lengthy processing of the stems. Grown for this purpose, the plant is not allowed to mature and the stems are pulled out when still green or yellow.

Folk remedies use the mucilage as cough medicine, and the preparation of poultices from it for the treatment of wounds and rheumatic pain.

It has also been widely used in the manufacture of oilcloth, paints and linoleum (the latter of which gets its name from the linseed), due to its tendency to dry and harden when exposed to air.

The flaxseed oil we use is a cosmetic-grade, carefully extracted and unadulterated product; some oils labelled ‘linseed oil’ can often be solvent-extracted and intended for other purposes, such as oil painting.

Linseeds are mainly made up of a mucilaginous outer coating, protein, oil, vitamins and minerals.

The oil contains beneficial omega 3 fatty acid (alpha linolenic acid, or ALA). Flaxseed oil is one of the best plant sources of omega 3 and the Vegetarian Society recommends the consumption of flaxseed oil for people who don't eat oily fish. The oil also contains linolenic, linoleic, oleic and stearic acids and high levels of a phytoestrogen substance (lignan), an antioxidant.

Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid - essential in that it is essential to our health, but our bodies cannot produce it. Internal supplementation, and topical application, of omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to have a positive effect in treating dry skin.

We use organic cold-pressed flaxseed oil in our Lemony Flutter cuticle butter where it moisturises and softens the cuticles and nourishes the nails.

We also added the mucilage to our Ambrosia and Prince Triple Blossom shaving creams. The mucilage helps to protect the skin during shaving and creates a wonderful texture to the product.