Image source http://wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plantago_cynops_Ypey41-cropped.jpg
Common name Psyllium husk
Plant family Plantago
Parts used Ripe, whole dried seed (Anand, 2010).
Qualities Moist (Holmes, 2007).
Constituents
67-71% fibre, 10-30% mucilage (arabinoxylans), iridoid glycosides (aucubin). Trace monoterpene alkaloids, sugars, proteins sterols, triterpenes, fatty acids and tannins (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
Actions
Demulcent, emollient (Grieve, 1971). Bulking laxative, hyperlipidaemic, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive (Braun & Cohen, 2010).
Indications
Recommended for use in Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the soluble fibre of psyllium improves symptoms (Rakel, 2012).
For Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the soluble fibre of P. psyllium has been shown to be better tolerated and more effective than the insoluble fibre of wheat bran and corn (Chang, Kelly & Lembo, 2006).
For patients whose constipation is caused by poor intake of fibre-rich foods and a poor diet in general, P. psyllium offers the added benefit of cholesterol-lowering action by absorbing it in the bowel, expelling it with faeces (Castleman, 2010).
For use in constipation, especially where haemorrhoids or anal fissures are also present; the demulcent quality of P. psyllium is soothing to mucous membranes (Castleman, 2010).
For use in pregnancy where anthroquinone-containing laxative herbs are contraindicated, or in other conditions where a bulking agent is more appropriate than a stimulating one.
Cautions/Contraindications
Seasonal allergy to psyllium is not uncommon, and may trigger rhinitis and asthma (Amsterdam et al., 2009). In cases of intestinal blockage P. Psyllium should not be used, such as for constipation related to bowel obstruction related to diverticulitis and colitis (Cattleman, 2010).
For constipation, 7 - 11 g daily in divided doses with water (Braun & Cohen, 2005). The whole seeds or husks should be soaked in water for several hours to absorb and bulk. The mucilage retains this moisture through gastrointestinal transit, promoting the passage of a soft stool after a transit time of 6 to 12 hours (Hoffmann, 2003).
Due to the presence of tannins and the absorbent nature of mucilage, it is recommended that medicines be taken one or more hours prior to ingestion of psyllium, and any dose of psyllium should be taken with no less than 250 ml of liquid (McGuffin, 1997).
A 1994 study concluded that psyllium is best mixed in with foods at mealtimes for maximum effect on lowering serum cholesterol (Wolever et al., 1994)
References
Amsterdam, J., Li, Y., Soeller, I., Rockwell, K., Mao, J., & Shults, J. (2009). A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) Extract Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Journal Of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 29(4), 378-382.
Anand, S. (2010). Medical and healthcare textiles. Bolton: Elsevier.
Braun, L., & Cohen, M. (2005). Herbs & natural supplements. Sydney: Elsevier Mosby.
Castleman, M. (2010). The New Healing Herbs (2nd ed.). Rodale.
Chang, H., Kelly, E., & Lembo, A. (2006). Current gut-directed therapies for irritable bowel syndrome. Current Treatment Options In Gastroenterology, 9(4), 314-323.
Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical herbalism. Rochester, Vt.: Healing Arts Press.
Holmes, P. (2007). The energetics of Western herbs. Cotati, Calif.: Snow Lotus Press.
McGuffin, M. (1997). American Herbal Products Association's botanical safety handbook. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press.
Wolever, T., Jenkins, D., Mueller, S., Boctor, D., Ransom, T., & Patten, R. et al. (1994). Method of administration influences the serum cholesterol-lowering effect of psyllium. American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, 59(5), 1055-1059.