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Flaxseeds are known as good sources of omega-3 fatty acids, making them ideal fish substitutes for vegetarians. However, this crop goes by different names that may confuse some people. Relying on a flaxseed’s appearance may not always help because they look like toasted sesame seeds, so it’s easy to mistake one for another. Asking for its name is the best way to get flaxseeds if that’s what you’re looking for. But what are flaxseeds called in India? What Is the Meaning of Flaxseed in Hindi?

“Alsi ke beej” is the transliteration of अलसी के बीज, which signifies what we know as flaxseeds. Flaxseed also goes by different regional Hindi names such as “alsi” or “alasi”. In this article, we discuss the different flaxseed names so you know what to ask for when shopping. We also provide an overview of flaxseed benefits as a reminder of how this crop is useful.

What Is the Other Name of Flaxseed?

Flaxseed (also spelled flax seed) is also known as linseed. They are synonyms, so any product with linseed oil is a product with flaxseed oil. In Hindi, its more formal name is “alsi ke beej.” You can look for “alsi” or “alasi” and still get the flaxseeds you intend to buy (if you are shopping). Some places refer to alsi ke beej as “san ka beej (सन का बीज).” Meanwhile, rural Northern India refers to flaxseed as “teesi” or “tisi” (तीसी).

Notice how there are a few ways to spell the Hindi words in English. You can search for “alsi” or “alasi” and get the same results as you would when you substitute “teesi” with “tisi.” There is no “correct” way to spell these because the original terms are in Hindi, and we use the closest Romanized match based on the sound.

Health Benefits of Flaxseeds

Flaxseeds contain nutrients and chemical compounds that offer several benefits when you incorporate the crop into your diet. Among these nutrients are fatty acids, lignans or phytoestrogens, antioxidants, fiber, and protein. Here are some benefits that these nutrients can offer:

How Flaxseeds Help in Hair Growth

Flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a main omega-3 fatty acid that increases dermal papilla cells (DPC), which interacts with other hair follicle cells to regulate hair growth. Results of a 2018 study suggest that DHA promotes hair growth.

How Flaxseeds Help in Brain Development

Omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources are widely known to have a critical role in brain development. DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the main fatty acids associated with past studies on omega-3’s role in pre- and postnatal brain development.

Meanwhile, flaxseed’s bioactive compound alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is another omega-3 fatty acid that data suggests may have similar functions in brain development. A study that involved feeding pregnant rats with flaxseed diets resulted in newborns with higher amounts of DHA and ALA and greater brain mass.

How Flaxseeds Help in Cardiovascular Diseases

Flaxseed used in human diets has shown protective effects against symptoms of cardiovascular diseases. In one human trial, dietary flaxseed decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure among participants. The participating patients exhibited peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which affects blood flow in the legs.

How Flaxseeds Help in Diabetes

Incorporating flaxseeds in diets of patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes has reduced their blood sugar. Lignan supplements (flaxseeds are rich in lignans) have also displayed success in decreasing blood glucose levels among type 2 diabetes patients. High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is a symptom that characterizes diabetes.

Meanwhile, flaxseed’s benefits in improving glycemic control among humans remain a subject for experimentation. Existing pre-clinical studies on flaxseed’s antihyperglycemic effects involve animal subjects with type 1 diabetes.

How Flaxseeds Help in Cancer

Experts associate the lignans in flaxseeds with anti-cancer benefits. Breast cancer is the most studied cancer when it comes to dietary flaxseed, which has exhibited significant protective effects against cancer in animal and human studies.

Experts classify lignans as phytoestrogens, which means they are naturally occurring dietary estrogen compounds in plants. Their resemblance to estrogen produces similar estrogenic effects, which regulate the menstrual cycle and affects breasts, hair, skin, the reproductive tract, and urinary tract.

Other existing studies have shown that flaxseed can inhibit cancer growth in the prostate, lungs, colon, ovaries, endometrial, hepatocellular, and cervix.

How Flaxseeds Help in Gastrointestinal Health

Flaxseed’s fiber content has shown promise in reducing irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. It also suggested effectiveness in experimental constipation and diarrhea. Despite its promise in improving gastrointestinal health, flaxseed oil also affects K+ channels and intestinal muscarinic receptors. Acting on these body parts may modify gastrointestinal motility or digestion.

What Is the Meaning of Flaxseed in Hindi?

Flaxseed or linseed in Hindi is commonly known as alsi. Different regions in India may refer to the crop as alsi ke beej, san ka beej, or teesi. Flaxseed is known to offer several benefits because of its nutrient-rich makeup. It contains fatty acids, lignans, and fiber among other chemical compounds.

Learning the different names of flaxseed helps you identify the crop wherever you may be. You might refer to flaxseed as alsi in the city, but rural areas (especially Northern India) call the same thing tisi. Other plants and animals also have their own Hindi names that may vary per region. Check out our other posts on interesting facts about other common agricultural products.