Psyllium is an herbal plant which is scientifically known as Plantago Ovata. Psyllium is also popularly known as – ispaghula, isabgol, Indian plantago, Spanish psyllium etc.
The Indian Plantago is white in color and is derived from P. ovate. The term Isabgol is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘asp’ and ‘ghol’ which when combined together simply means a ‘horse flower’.
Psyllium is an excellent way of regulating and managing your health. The bulky fiber contained in psyllium seed husks provide a volume of solid material. This is helpful in pushing solid wastes through the body as well as slowing down the effects of diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.
Interest in Psyllium has grown recently and is often used as an ingredient in high-fibre breakfast cereals. It is also excellent for those with an inadequate fibre intake resulting from modern western fast-food diets or those with a sedentary lifestyle and the elderly.
IBS:The soluble fibre in Psyllium seeds has been found to be helpful to those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by increasing the number of bowel movements per week, enlarging stool weight and speeding up transit times. Soluble fibre does not irritate or scratch the gastric lining compared to other forms of fibre and is therefore suitable for people with IBS or other inflamed digestive disorders.
Weight Loss:Due to its bulking action, Psyllium can also be used as part of a weight loss programme. If taken an hour before meals with plenty of water, it gives a feeling of fullness and therefore reduces appetite.
Constipation: Psyllium husk is a useful remedy for constipation because it can increase bowel movements per day, and decrease total gut transit time. To relieve constipation Psyllium should be taken with plenty of water, the fibre swells with water and increases the peristalsis action of the intestine promoting the flow of bowel matter.
Diarrhoea:Pysllium fibre is an effective stool bulking agent in cases of diarrhoea. To relieve diarrhoea Psyllium should be taken with very little water, the fibre soaks up the excess fluid in the system. Fibre also helps to cleanse and detoxify heavy metals in the intestine, reducing the strain on the liver
For the Heart: Psyllium in reducing cardiovascular diseases in humans. The soluble fiber in Psyllium husk can decrease the risk of coronary heart diseases. The herb works in reducing cholesterol levels as it is rich in soluble fiber.
Diabetes Type II: Psyllium can reduce Diabetes Type II by working on the blood lipid and glucose levels. Diabetes Type II patients were given five grams of Psyllium husk three times per day for a period of 2 weeks, there was a significant reduction in the fasting plasma glucose and triglycerides levels.
Against Colon Cancer: when cancer infected rats were fed with a diet rich in wheat bran and Psyllium, there was a significant reduction in the number of colon tumors.
A few people have allergic reactions to psyllium seed husks. People who have difficulty swallowing should avoid taking psyllium seed husks.