Ningxia Flax

Ningxia Flax

　　The historical oil crop production area in Guyuan County, Ningxia, was once known as the “Oil Basin” of Ningxia. Its representative crop, flaxseed, boasts high oil content, excellent quality, high value, wide applications, abundant resources, and great potential. Major varieties include Ningya No. 10 and Ningya No. 11, with an annual planting area of around 200,000 mu and a total output of over 12 million kilograms, accounting for about 25% of Ningxia’s total oil crop production. The region has developed a structured system featuring regionalized variety distribution, standardized cultivation practices, serialized services, and large-scale production. Among them, Ningya No. 10 is an early-maturing, large-seed oil-type variety with a thousand-seed weight of 9.0–10.2 grams, an oil content of 41.8%, and an oil extraction rate of 32.3%. Ningya No. 11 is a dual-purpose oil and fiber variety with an oil content of 43.3% and an oil extraction rate of 35.3%. The oil is pure, fragrant, pleasant to the taste, and delicious, making it an ideal edible oil. The straw can be used in flax production and papermaking, while the oil residue serves as a fertilizer for soil enrichment and a growth additive for livestock and poultry.

　　 Flax, or oil-use flax, is primarily produced in Guyuan City and Tongxin County and Yanchi County of Wuzhong City in Ningxia. It is an annual herbaceous plant that grows to about 1–1.5 meters tall; the stem is upright, square-shaped, with vertical grooves on the surface. The leaves are opposite, long-oval or lanceolate, measuring 5–10 cm in length. The flowers are axillary, labiate, white with purple-red or yellow hues, and 2.5–3 cm long. The fruit is a long, cylindrical capsule, 2–3 cm in length, with 2, 4, 6, or 8 ridges, which splits open upon maturity to release the seeds. It thrives in high temperatures, with an optimal growing temperature of 24–30°C, and performs better in central and southern environments. The flax seeds are flat, oval-shaped, dark brown, and glossy, suitable for oil extraction. Flaxseed oil can be used for stir-frying and pan-frying food.

　　 Flax is one of China’s five major oil crops, with a national planting area of approximately 10 million mu and an annual output of about 400,000 tons. It serves as a key source of industrial drying vegetable oil and a staple edible oil for residents in producing regions.

　　　　Flaxseeds contain 6%–10% flaxseed gum. This gum is a pectin-like substance primarily composed of polysaccharides, along with 12% protein, about 17% pectic acid, starch, minerals, and more. It can be used as a food additive, cosmetic base powder, or pharmaceutical ingredient.

　　　　Flaxseed oil is a high-quality edible oil rich in α-linolenic acid and various unsaturated fatty acids, which can be directly converted into DHA and EPA in the body. These substances are essential unsaturated fatty acids for humans and the main components of deep-sea fish oil. They play important roles in enhancing intelligence, strengthening the brain and body, preventing cardiovascular diseases, and suppressing disease-related genes. Flaxseed oil is also widely used in industrial fields such as paint, graphite, dyes, and leather manufacturing. The fibers from flax stems are soft, wear-resistant, highly water-absorbent, and have a high swelling rate, making them suitable for manufacturing waterproof fabrics, printing oils, and raw materials for oil paints. They are also extensively used in soap, leather, and rubber industries.

　　　　In addition, the content of the phytohormone lignan in flaxseeds is about 800 times higher than that of other common crops. Once absorbed by the human body, this substance can help inhibit cancer, particularly reducing the incidence of breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. Flaxseeds are also rich in soluble plant fiber, which helps lower cholesterol levels. Regular consumption of flaxseeds can reduce the incidence of constipation, obesity, heart disease, and more.