Other names for Canola

brassica napus
canola
tocomix 70r

Synopsis of Canola

History

Canola, derived from the seeds of the Brassica napus and Brassica rapa plants, has a fascinating history rooted in traditional medicinal practices. While primarily recognized today for its healthful oil, canola's ancestral relatives—rapeseed and related brassicas—have long played a role in folk remedies across Europe and Asia. Historically, extracts and oils from these seeds were valued for their soothing properties and were often used topically to alleviate skin irritations, minor wounds, and inflammation. The seeds themselves were sometimes brewed into teas or infusions aimed at supporting digestive health and promoting overall vitality.

In various herbal combinations, canola oil has served as an effective carrier oil, blending harmoniously with essential oils and herbal extracts to create salves and balms. These preparations have been employed to ease muscular discomfort and support joint health, taking advantage of canola’s gentle emollient nature. Its light consistency and neutral scent make it a favored base in both traditional and contemporary herbal medicine, enhancing the delivery of active plant compounds.

Modern research supports canola's positive contributions to health, highlighting its high content of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids. This nutritional profile has reinforced its role in wellness-oriented formulations, both as a nourishing ingredient and as a versatile medium for herbal synergy. Overall, canola’s historical and ongoing use in medicinal and nutritional products underscores its enduring value as a natural remedy and beneficial component in holistic health practices.

Traditional and scientific validation

Canola oil, derived from the seeds of the canola plant (a variety of Brassica napus), has become a widely used ingredient in nutritional products due to its favorable fatty acid profile and versatility. Historically, canola was developed in Canada in the 1970s through traditional plant breeding techniques to reduce levels of erucic acid and glucosinolates, which were present in higher amounts in earlier rapeseed cultivars. This innovation made canola oil more suitable for human consumption and contributed to its global acceptance.

Scientifically, canola oil is valued for its low saturated fat content and high levels of monounsaturated fats, particularly oleic acid, as well as omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Several clinical studies have investigated the health effects of canola oil. Research published in journals such as the Journal of the American College of Nutrition and Lipid Technology has indicated that replacing saturated fats with canola oil in the diet can help reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, canola oil contains vitamin E and phytosterols, compounds known to support heart health.

While these findings are promising, the long-term health effects of canola oil consumption continue to be studied, and some claims require further validation through larger and more diverse clinical trials. Nevertheless, current evidence supports the inclusion of canola oil as part of a balanced diet, recognizing its positive contributions to nutritional health, particularly in the realm of cardiovascular wellness.

Canola is used for these health conditions

Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Cholesterol (high) (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Fat Metabolism (poor) (Scientific)
Hypertension (Scientific)
Triglycerides (high) (Scientific)

Canola is used to support these body systems

Arteries (Scientific)
Circulatory System (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)

Products containing Canola

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.