If you’re in the market for a superfood that’s nutritious, versatile and multifunctional, then camelina oil just might be what you’re looking for.

A superfood whose long and colorful history can be traced back to the Bronze Age, camelina oil is produced from the seeds of Camelina sativa, a flowering plant from the Brassicaceae family.

Also known as wild flax, camelina is native to Europe and Central Asia, where it is cultivated as an oilseed crop.

Both the oil and seeds of the camelina plant have important nutrients, such as vitamin E, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, making it one of the most nutritious oils on the market as of present.

Because of its nutrient-rich nature, it’s not surprising to find that camelina oil has been linked to a pretty impressive slate of health benefits, such as the following:

Camelina Oil can help control cholesterol levels

Camelina oil is abundant in sterols, which are known to help reduce blood cholesterol levels.

In addition, camelina oil also contains polyunsaturated fats, which are needed for healthy cell function. In contrast, camelina is very low in saturated fats which have been linked to increased blood cholesterol levels and even heart disease.

Camelina Oil can help protect the body against oxidative damage

Camelina oil is known for being rich in alpha and gamma-tocopherol, two forms of vitamin E — a powerful antioxidant.

As an antioxidant, vitamin E helps prevent oxidative damage from free radicals in the environment, which, if left unchecked, can cause serious chronic conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and even cancer.

Camelina Oil can help prevent chronic inflammation in the body

Camelina oil is incredibly rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to inflammation, such as eicosanoids and cytokines.

In addition, camelina oil is high in alpha-linolenic acid, which research has shown to have a protective effect on heart health and central nervous system function.

Camelina Oil supports healthy skin and hair development

As stated earlier, camelina oil is rich in vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help protect the skin from both free radicals and the sun, as well as minimize the signs of aging.

The essential fatty acids in camelina oil are also known to help reduce inflammation and swelling in the skin, with some even noting that they can help treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Not only that, but camelina oil can help hydrate the skin and restore its natural moisture, and even nourish it from the inside.

Aside from being good for the skin, camelina oil is also beneficial to the hair, with the fatty acids known to help keep hair soft and healthy.

How do I use camelina oil?

Beyond its use as a dietary supplement and as an ingredient in salad dressings, camelina oil is perfect for cooking, baking, and frying largely because it has a high smoke point of 475 F (240 C), which means that it can be used to cook food at higher temperatures compared to other oils.

Aside from cooking, one can also use camelina oil as a lotion, or as a leave-in hair conditioner in order to take advantage of its potent moisturizing capabilities. It can also be used as a basis for an oil pulling solution in order to remove any bacteria and toxins from the mouth.

Creamy Camelina Oil Dressing

Camelina oil’s nutty flavor makes it a welcome ingredient in salad dressings, vinaigrettes and dips — just like this one we adapted from Alive. You can serve this dressing over fresh greens and summer veggies, as well as fish, pasta salad, slaws, potatoes and dips.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup Greek-style yogurt
• 2 small organic garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoon organic Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoon organic cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh organic lime juice
• 1/3 cup organic, cold-pressed camelina oil
• 1 cup fresh chopped organic dill
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. In a food processor, combine yogurt, garlic, mustard, vinegar, and lime juice. Blend the mixture until smooth, while slowly adding camelina oil to ensure proper emulsification.
2. Once everything is well-combined, transfer the mixture to a bowl, and fold in the chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper.

If you wish to cut out yogurt for more of a vinaigrette texture, just whisk all ingredients together in a bowl.

Organic Camelina Gazpacho

A classic Spanish dish, gazpacho, such as this one, is a cold soup usually made from raw, finely blended vegetables. It is particularly popular during hot summer nights, as it is known to be refreshing and cool.

This recipe, which we adapted from The Kitchn, uses vitamin-rich tomatoes and cucumbers as a base, making it incredibly healthy and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 organic cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1 organic red pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 organic green pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 kg ripe organic plum tomatoes, cored and chopped
• 2 organic garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 2 organic spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
• 75 grams stale crusty white bread, chopped
• 3 tablespoons organic, cold-pressed camelina oil
• 2–2 1/2 tablspoon sherry vinegar, or to taste
• 1 whole-grain baguette, sliced

Preparation

1. Place the cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and spring onions in a large bowl. Add the chopped bread and season well with salt and pepper.
2. Add the sherry vinegar and a couple of tablespoons of camelina oil to the bread and vegetable mixture, then mix together with your hands. Make sure to press down in order to squeeze the juices out.
3. Cover and let the mixture marinate in a refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or preferably, overnight.
4. Once marinated, transfer the bread and vegetable mixture into a blender and blitz until smooth.
5. Check the consistency: if it is still rather thick, add more camelina oil. Repat the mixture until you reach a consistency you like.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.
7. Cover and chill the gazpacho until really cold and ready to serve.
8. While waiting for the gazpacho to chill, make the toast. Start by brushing the baguette slices generously with camelina oil.
9. After brushing the bread with oil, place a large griddle pan over medium heat.
10. Once hot, add the bread and toast both sides until golden and crunchy. Drain on paper towels then season with a little salt and pepper.
11. To serve, transfer the finished gazpacho in a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped basil, as well as an extra drizzle of camelina oil. Serve the gazpacho with the toasted bread, as well as some ice cubes.

Camelina oil is one of the most versatile superfood oils out in the market today. Outside of its culinary uses, camelina oil also nourishes the body from the inside to protect it from infection and disease. Try this potent, all-natural oil today to experience its full range of health benefits.

Sources:

Plants.USDA.gov

ScienceDirect.com

Health.USNews.com