Prolonged exposure to water and sun loosens the fiber from the woody plant tissue in a process known as retting. Following washing in lye, drying on sun heated stone, repeated beating, and combing, the flax fibers obtained may be used in making linen fabric, threads, and rope.
Flax seeds are also crushed to make linseed oil, and the remaining linseed cake residue is used for fodder. Additional use for the dried seed has also been found in medicines.