Flax is a versatile plant with many uses. Here are some of the ways in which flax is used:

• Food: Flax seeds can be ground into a meal or turned into linseed oil, which is used as a nutritional supplement and as an ingredient in many wood-finishing products. Flax seeds can also be used in baking breads, cookies, scones, and with many meat dishes. They can be sprinkled on salads, in salad dressings, cereal, cottage cheese, or yogurt. Flax is also used in animal feeds, and it is being investigated for improved animal performance and health in the pork and beef industries.

• Fiber: Flax fibers are used to make linen, which is traditionally used for bed sheets, underclothes, and table linen. The fibers have also been used to make cloth, rope, and paper. Flax straw, in a partially or completely processed form, is used in the manufacture of fine papers and, more recently, for industrial fiber products such as the interior panelling of some cars.

• Oil: Flaxseed oil, also known as linseed oil, is used in paints, varnishes, linoleum, and wood treatments. It is also used as a nutritional supplement and as an ingredient in many wood-finishing products.

• Personal care products: Flaxseed oil has been used since ancient times in a variety of ways to enhance personal care. It has been used as an emollient (softening or soothing to the skin), demulcent (soothing to irritated or inflamed skin or mucus membranes), and useful in formulations for balms, salves, and unguents (healing ointments) . Flax products can strengthen the hair, and the Omega 3 oils add shine and body. Flax is an eye cleaner that helps keep moisture in the eye.

• Industrial uses: The natural qualities of flax make it a desirable oil and fiber commodity for manufacturers seeking alternative solutions to chemical- and plastic-based products. Flax is exported primarily as raw seed for crushing into linseed oil. From the oil, manufacturers create environmentally friendly products such as linoleum flooring, oilcloth, resins, inks, biofuels, and also some paints and stains.

Overall, flax is used for food production, personal care products, animal feeds, fiber, and a number of other industrial uses.