* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Psyllium, or isapghul, produces sweet seeds and a seed husk that are beneficial to the colon, spleen, and stomach. As a lubricating bulk laxative, psyllium is commonly taken on a daily basis for combatting dry constipation. Psyllium contains mucilage, polysaccharides, monoterpene alkaloids, aucubine, protein, enzymes and fat.
Psyllium is used for acute and chronic constipation for which the husk is most effective. The whole-seed meal can be applied to the surface of the skin to help relieve and heal skin irritations.
For dry constipation, combine two parts psyllium seed husks together with equal parts flax and chia seeds. Soak three or four tablespoons with warm water or a cherry juice. Take in the evening before retiring.
Psyllium Plantago afra L.
Family: Plantaginaceae.
Other Names: Fleawort; herbe aux puces (French); Flohkraut (German); psillio (Italian); psilio (Spanish) (= P. psyllium L.).
Description: Psyllium is a small, erect, annual herb with glandular, hairy, narrowly oblong leaves borne in whorls at each node. The inconspicuous flowers are grouped together in dense, oblong clusters that mature into membranous, two-celled capsules, each bearing two small oblong, dark brown seeds (resembling fleas, hence the name 'flea seed'). Real psyllium is derived mainly from P. afra (previously P. psyllium) or from P. arenaria (= P. indica) (an acceptable substitute). Blond psyllium or pale psyllium, also known as Indian psyllium or more often by the Hindi name ispaghula comes from P. ovata, previously P. ispaghula. Japanese psyllium, shazen-shi or che-qian-zi is derived from P. asiatica.
Origin: Mediterranean and Central Europe (P. afra and P. indica), India and Iran (P. ovata), Japan (P. asiatica); commercially grown mainly in India, Pakistan, Iran and southern Europe.
Parts Used: Ripe seeds (Psyllium semen) - pinkish brown in P. ovata, blackish brown in P. psyllium. The seed husks of blond psyllium are readily separated from the seed and is a separate product, psyllium seed husk (Plantaginis ovatae testa).
Therapeutic Category: Bulking laxative.
Uses and Properties: The seeds and seed husks are gentle laxatives to treat chronic constipation and to produce a soft stool because they lubricate, soften and increase faecal volume and viscosity. The product is also used against diarrhoea and to treat cases of irritable colon and other inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract.
Preparation and Dosage: About 5 - 15 g of seeds are soaked in 150 mL water for several hours and then taken orally. The daily dose is 12 - 40 g (seeds) or 4 - 20 g (husk alone). Drink 150 mL of water per 5 g of drug.
Active Ingredients: The epidermis of the seed husk contains mucilages (10 - 12%); by swelling they can absorb large volumes of water. Up to 0.2% aucubin (an iridoid glycoside) is present in the seeds.
Pharmacological Effects: Increasing the faecal mass (due to more fibres, water and faecal bacteria) promotes peristalsis and at the same time retains moisture and lubricates the intestines. The drug lowers blood lipids and blood pressure and shows weak anti-inflammatory activities.
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
Bob - May 6, 2006, 21:13
#10000380
Is psyllium soluble or insoluble fiber?
ZooScape Moderator - May 10, 2006, 17:55
#10001359
Psyllium comes from the crushed seeds of the Plantago ovata plant. It is approximately two thirds soluble fiber and one third insoluble fiber. Both soluble and insoluble fibers are undigested and not absorbed into the bloodstream. Soluble fiber forms a gel (like psyllium-based Metamucil) when mixed with water, binding with fatty acids, and prolonging stomach-emptying time to slow down sugar release; these properties give some soluble fibers the ability to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Insoluble fiber moves through the intestines relatively intact, bulking up stools to promote regularity, insuring that a healthy intestinal pH is maintained, removing toxins, and combating constipation.
Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
For ulcers and colitis, consult your physician.
Additional Information
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
