Psyllium Plant Benefits You Might Not Know!

Ancient people likened psyllium plant seeds to fleas (Greek psylla). The great Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author Pedanius Dioscorides recommended it in the 1st century A.D. as an emollient (soothing). It was used this way until the mid-twentieth century when it was also discovered to have mild laxative effects. At present, psyllium is part of several pharmaceutical preparations for constipation.

Psyllium Plant Scientific Facts

1. Other names: Fleawort.
2. French: Psyllium.
3. Spanish: Zaragatona.
4. Environment: The psyllium plant grows in sandy or rocky soil all over the Mediterranean. It is also cultivated as a medicinal herb.
5. Description: The psyllium plant is an annual member of the Plantaginaceae family. Its herbaceous, upright stem grows up to 30 cm high. Its small, white flowers grow in oval spikes. The fruits contain two smooth, brown seeds, each 3 mm in size.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The seeds.

Healing Properties and Medicinal Uses

The seeds of the psyllium plant contain high amounts of mucilage which gives them laxative, emollient, and anti-inflammatory properties. Psyllium is one of the plants with a higher amount of mucilage known, even higher than linseeds (flax seeds). It also contains fats with plant steroids (sitosterols), potassium salts, and trace elements. These are its properties:

1. Digestive afflictions: Mucilage acts as a hydrophilous colloidal substance; its molecules become surrounded by many water molecules, increasing its volume and becoming a soft mass of gelatinous appearance. This way, mucilage achieves two effects:
        1) It creates a protective viscous layer covering the entire digestive tract interior, from the stomach to the large intestine. This offers a soothing and anti-inflammatory action on the digestive mucosa, which is highly beneficial for gastritis, gastric or duodenal ulcers, and colitis. It eases pyrosis (acidity) and stomach aches and stops colic pains and diarrhea from colitis.
        2) It increases the volume of feces and makes them softer; thus, these substances pass more quickly through the digestive tract, demanding less peristaltic effort from the colon. All these facts result in a mild laxative effect, with no cramps or irritation, without creating an addiction or producing potassium or mineral salts loss, that is to say, without undesirable side effects. The mucilage in psyllium can be continuously used for months or even years. It is beneficial in treating chronic constipation and its consequences, such as hemorrhoids or colon diverticulosis. It also prevents such conditions.
        Diverticulosis results from excessive pressure by the colon to make hard or dry feces progress through it. Meat-rich diets lacking in vegetables, fruits, and integral grains produce heavy, scant feces that demand great efforts from the large intestine. The result is constipation and its complications, the most severe of which is cancer of the colon.
        A change in dietary habits must accompany treatment with mucilage. Hemicellulose, a fiber that forms the seed covering, enhances mucilage’s laxative properties.
        The beneficial effects of mucilage on the intestine can also be obtained when administering it in enemas, which are recommended for anal and rectal inflammation. It reduces the inflammation of hemorrhoids and eases discomfort caused by anal fissures. It is also recommended for proctitis (rectum inflammation), colitis, and even ulcerative colitis. In this last case, it is used to complement the specific treatment.
2. Obesity treatment: Psyllium seed intake with plenty of water during meals produces a full sensation in the stomach, decreasing the appetite. This action is due to the hydrophilous ability of mucilage, which swells and increases its volume with the water. This effect also contributes to the weight loss achieved when taking psyllium.
       Moreover, it has been proven that mucilage decreases cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. This is likely due to its interference with the fat absorption process in the small intestine.
3. Urine afflictions: Psyllium mucilage is also an anti-inflammatory in the urinary mucosa. It helps ease cystitis discomfort and promotes the regeneration of irritated mucosa. It is usually employed in combination with other treatments.
4. Skin afflictions: When applied locally as poultices, it protects and reduces the inflammation of the skin when it has been irritated by eczema, dermatosis, or rashes. It also has wound-healing properties when used on burns, wounds, or varicose ulceration. It is also used in cosmetics to improve skin beauty.

Psyllium Seed

Psyllium seed is a faithful standby. The soaked seed or powder will assist in easy bowel movements during colitis, hemorrhoids, and inflamed ulcers by increasing the water content in the colon. To remove putrefactive toxins and clean the intestines, take a teaspoon of the powder in warm water or juice three times a day. Reduce the dosage to one-half teaspoon for children.

In external applications, psyllium seed powder can be added to poultices as a binder, holding them together. To achieve this, add a small amount while pouring water over the ingredients and stirring until it becomes thick, similar to dough. Psyllium can also draw pus from sores, carbuncles, and boils.

NOTE: The psyllium seed powder can be used in unleavened bread as a binder.

Infusion: Steep for five to fifteen minutes and take two to four teaspoons after each meal; children can take one teaspoon. Powder: Take one teaspoon in warm water or juice three times daily. Powder: Take six to eight #0 capsules (50 to 60 grains) three times a day

Farmed Species of The Genus Plantago

Other Plantago species similar to common psyllium are also used. They have similar properties, such as the Spanish psyllium cultivated in Europe and Asia to obtain its mucilage, with which several pharmaceutical preparations are prepared. With the same aim, the Indian Plantago is grown in some Mediterranean areas and Asia.

How to use Psyllium

1. Seeds cold extract. Grind or mash psyllium plant seeds and steep them for one or two hours (a spoonful of seeds per glass of water). Then, strain the resulting mucilage. If desired, add a teaspoonful of anise seeds to improve the flavor. Drink a glass in the morning and another at night before bed.
2. Seed poultices. After the cold extract, heat the seeds and prepare a poultice, which should be applied to the affected area for at least 15 minutes, two or three times daily.
3. Enema. It is done with the liquid resulting from the cold extract. From 100 to 250 ml is enough for each application. Administer up to three enemas daily.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 515, 516. Print.[psyllium plant]
2. Vance Ferrell Harold M. Cherne, M.D. The Natural Remedies Encyclopedia [Book]. – Altamont, TN: Harvestime Books, 2010. – Vol. Seventh Edition: 7: pp. 175, 176.
3. Mount Sinai: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/psyllium
4. Health.com: https://www.health.com/psyllium-husk-benefits-7495040