Herbal Remedies That Use Flea Seed - Plantago Psyllia

Other Common Names: Fleawort, Isphagula, Psyllion, Psyllios, Psyllium Plantain, Psyllium Seeds, Plantago ovata, Plantago ispaghula, Plantago psyllia

Range: Europe - Mediterranean to E. Asia - India

Habitat: Dry places in S. Europe. Found wild on most well-drained soils.

Psyllium has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years in Western herbal medicine.

Both the dried seeds and the seed husks are demulcent, emollient, laxative and may be used internally and externally in the same manner as flaxseed, which they closely resemble in medicinal properties.

The seeds have a mucilaginous coat and swell to several times their volume when in water. The seeds and the husks contain high leevels of fiber, they expand and become highly gelatinous when soaked in water. By maintaining a high water content within the large bowel they increase the bulk of the stool, easing its passage. They are used as a demulcent and as a bulk laxative in the treatment of constipation, dysentery and other intestinal complaints, having a soothing and regulatory effect upon the system. Their regulatory effect on the digestive system means that they can also be used in the treatment of diarrhea and by helping to soften the stool they reduce the irritation of hemorrhoids.

The jelly-like mucilage produced when psyllium is soaked in water has the ability to absorb toxins within the large bowel. Thus it helps to remove toxins from the body and can be used to reduce auto-toxicity.

The macerated and decocted seeds yield a rich mucilage that is used in relieving skin irritations and reddened eyelids.

The oil in the seed embryo contains 50% linoleic acid and has been used as a preventative of atherosclerosis. It is also effective in reducing cholesterol levels in the blood.

The seeds are used in face-masks in order to soften the skin.

The mucilage contained in the seedcoat is used as a stabilizer in ice cream, chocolate etc

  • Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986

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