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Psyllium seed husks

Psyllium seed husks, also known as ispaghula or simply as psyllium, are portions of the seeds of the plant Plantago or Plantago ovata., native to India.

Description

Psyllium seed husks come from the seed stalk of the common plantago, which is also called Isabgol, a Persian term (Isab means horse & Gol means ear, because the isabgol seed resembles a horse's ear). It can be labeled a neutral natural fiber, because it can be used for both constipation and diarrhea. It is soluble in water, expanding and becoming mucilaginous when wet.

Psyllium is indigestible in human beings and is often used as a source of dietary fiber: dissolved in water, they expand and scrape the walls of the intestine. They can be used as a bowel regulator, counteracting diarrhea and reducing constipation. The husks are used whole or placed into caplets after drying and chopping or powdering. They can also be combined with other ingredients (e.g., Blackstrap molasses is sometimes used with psyllium seed husks for its high mineral and vitamin content, as well as being an excellent carrier). A typical dose is 1 - 3 teaspoons per glass of water.

Psyllium seeds are very similar to the seed husks and can be used for many of the same purposes, although their use is less common.

Uses

The characteristics of psyllium seed husks make them useful for any treatment that requires improvement or maintenance of transit time in the gastrointestinal tract, because the inert bulk of the husks helps provide a constant volume of solid material irrespective of other aspects of the diet or any disease condition of the gut. Over-the-counter laxatives and fiber supplements such as Metamucil, Serutan, Effersyllium, and Isabgol have psyllium husks as their main ingredient, in finely chopped or powdered form. The husks can be consumed as-is (with plenty of water or other fluid) with much the same effect. Psyllium can also be added to food or drink to boost the fiber content of the diet, and some cereals (Bran Buds, Heartwise) contain it.

Psyllium husks are used to relieve constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, and diarrhea. They are used as a regular dietary supplement to improve and maintain regular GI transit. Some recent research is also showing them to be promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes.