Psyllium is a form of fiber made from the Plantago ovata plant, specifically from the husks of the plant’s seed. It sometimes goes by the name ispaghula.
It’s most commonly known as a laxative. Psyllium provides more benefits to your body than decreasing the amount of time you spend in the bathroom. Research shows that psyllium has many benefits to the human body, from your heart to your pancreas.
Your Bathroom Buddy
Psyllium is a bulk-forming laxative, which means it soaks up water in your gut and makes bowel movements much easier. While it helps promote regularity, it doesn’t promote flatulence, which is good for everyone within smelling distance. While it can be used as a one-off to ease constipation, adding psyllium to your diet can help promote regularity and overall digestive health.
While people with irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease are all too familiar with the banes of the bathroom, results are still mixed when it comes to psyllium and either of these conditions.
Besides keeping your bowel movements regular and managing a chronic condition, psyllium’s ability to soften your stool can come in handy with short-term ailments, such as constipation. Conditions like constipation can also spur hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
Preliminary research shows that psyllium may help the painful symptoms associated with these conditions. Since the research jury is still out, talk to your doctor to see if psyllium can help with the pains in your, ahem, rear.
Modern Uses
In summary, psyllium has been used successfully -
In summary, psyllium has been used successfully -
- As a natural bulk laxative
- As a high source of dietary fiber
- To reduce total blood cholesterol
- As a colon cleanser
- To remove toxins from the intestines
- To absorb bile acids in the intestine
- To help prevent colon cancer
- To reduce the absorption of toxic metals
- As an appetite suppressant
- Psyllium may also be supportive in the following conditions:
- Atherosclerosis
- Appendicitis
- Constipation
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Psoriasis
- High triglycerides
- Weight Loss
- Diverticulosis
- Diarrhea
- Hemorrhoids
- Gallstones
- High Cholesterol
- Obesity
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Indigestion
Psyllium Husk Herb Notes / Side Effects
Latin Names
Plantago psyllium, Plantago isphagula
Common Names
Sand Plantain, Flea Seed, Ispaghula, Psyllium Seed, Indian Plantago, Spogel
Properties
antidiarrheal, demulcent, emollient, laxative
Indicated for
Constipation, Diarrhea, High cholesterol, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colon Cancer, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Hemorrhoids, Diabetes, Hypercholesterolemia and Obesity. Treatment of dysentery, catarrhal conditions of the genito-urinary tract, inflamed membranes of the intestinal canal etc. The oil in the seed embryo contains 50% linoleic acid and has been used as a preventative of atherosclerosis.
Do not use Psyllium if you have a bowel obstruction or a disease that causes narrowing of any part of the digestive tract.
Diabetics should avoid Psyllium if they are having problems keeping blood sugar levels under control.
Take with plenty of water.
How do I take it, how much and when?
Half fill a large tumbler with at least 250 ml of water. Add the desired amount of psyllium husk fiber (Colon Cleanse), stir briskly, quickly and vigorously, and drink the full amount rapidly before full gelling sets in.
Half fill a large tumbler with at least 250 ml of water. Add the desired amount of psyllium husk fiber (Colon Cleanse), stir briskly, quickly and vigorously, and drink the full amount rapidly before full gelling sets in.
Psyllium should always be taken on an empty stomach – that is 1 hour to 30 minutes before breakfast and/or lunch and/or supper.
- Cautions and Notes
- Always follow your physician’s instructions carefully.
- Certainly consult a physician if you are already using a cholesterol lowering drug.
- Do not use if you have a bowel obstruction.
- It can take a few days for a change to be noticed. However, when the change is felt, it is a result of an actual toning of the bowel rather than simply an irritation or purging of the bowel.
- As good as psyllium is, you are encouraged to use more fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains in the diet in order to regulate the bowels and to ultimately make the use of psyllium unnecessary.
- Psyllium tends to loosen black post-putrefactive matter from the colon walls and, if such matter is passed, there is usually no cause for concern.
- Do not take psyllium within 1-2 hours of taking medication, since it can delay their absorption into the bloodstream.
- Psyllium can make tetracycline antibiotics less effective, so get medical advice before taking both at the same time.
- Store in a tightly sealed container away from moisture.
- Psyllium should be kept away from children.
- Do not double up on a dose, and don’t exceed recommended doses because larger quantities of psyllium can reduce your body’s ability to absorb certain minerals.
Are There Other Precautions?
The major side effect of all the soluble fibres, including psyllium, is the development of intestinal gas or flatus (while this is the general consensus, at least one source suggests that psyllium does not cause excessive gas or bloating – see www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/psyllium.html). It is the beneficial bacteria in the colon that create intestinal gases from certain food sources such as soluble fibre. So you may be limited in how much psyllium you can tolerate by this side effect. Start with a small amount and gradually increase the dose over several days. Insoluble fibre, found in wheat bran and cereals, does not have this side effect.
Always take psyllium with plenty of fluids. In addition, you may want to increase your general water intake by an additional six to eight glasses a day. Insufficient fluid may cause the fibre to swell and cause choking or even rupture of the esophagus. Do not use psyllium if you have difficulty swallowing.
Contact your physician if constipation persists for more than a week with regular use of a bulk laxative or if rectal bleeding occurs.
How Often Can I Take psyllium?
While it is generally believed that psyllium can be used safely in the long term, the effect of long-term inclusion in the diet has not been absolutely established. We are aware of many people who have used psyllium daily for months on end – with no adverse effect. Nevertheless, we should always try and regulate our diet to the point that the use of products such as Colon Cleanse are not necessary.
While it is generally believed that psyllium can be used safely in the long term, the effect of long-term inclusion in the diet has not been absolutely established. We are aware of many people who have used psyllium daily for months on end – with no adverse effect. Nevertheless, we should always try and regulate our diet to the point that the use of products such as Colon Cleanse are not necessary.
One major advantage is that Psyllium is non-addictive.
How About Side Effects?
Adverse reactions can occur with any remedy or medication, whether natural or chemical, and even with over-the-counter medications. Some of these are mild, such as a stomach upset, which may be avoided by taking the medication with food.
Adverse reactions can occur with any remedy or medication, whether natural or chemical, and even with over-the-counter medications. Some of these are mild, such as a stomach upset, which may be avoided by taking the medication with food.
The seeds of the psyllium plant are non-toxic, but consumption of un-soaked seeds may cause varying degrees of gastrointestinal irritation and inflammation. Chewed seeds can produce severe diarrhea. Obviously, if you are sensitive to psyllium you should not use these natural products, and doctors must exercise caution when prescribing laxatives containing psyllium if there is a possibility of allergic reactions. Minor reactions may go away of their own accord, but if they persist, you should consult your physician. For major reactions, the patient should contact the physician immediately.
For psyllium, the following are the observed side effects:
Minor:
Bloating
Diarrhea
Rumbling sounds in the stomach
Nausea
Mild abdominal cramps
Major:
Diarrhea
Rumbling sounds in the stomach
Nausea
Mild abdominal cramps
Major:
Severe abdominal pain
Vomiting
Trouble swallowing
What If I Miss a Dose?
Rather miss a dose than take psyllium on a full stomach. A missed dose may mean that you will have to labor at your next stool – otherwise there should be no problem if you miss a dose. Under ideal circumstances, depending on your condition, psyllium should only be used as and when needed.
Vomiting
Trouble swallowing
What If I Miss a Dose?
Rather miss a dose than take psyllium on a full stomach. A missed dose may mean that you will have to labor at your next stool – otherwise there should be no problem if you miss a dose. Under ideal circumstances, depending on your condition, psyllium should only be used as and when needed.
Does Psyllium Interact With Food or Beverages?
There are no known food or beverage interactions with psyllium.
There are no known food or beverage interactions with psyllium.
Does Psyllium Interact With Medication?
An interaction generally means that one substance may increase or decrease the effect of another substance. Also, the more medications a person takes, the more likely it is that there will be an interaction. There are no known drug interactions with psyllium – except that psyllium, if taken together with your medication, can delay the absorption of your medication. One source suggests that psyllium shouldn’t be taken together with guar gum. Guar, another fibre supplement, works the same way psyllium does. So take one or the other, but not both at the same time.
An interaction generally means that one substance may increase or decrease the effect of another substance. Also, the more medications a person takes, the more likely it is that there will be an interaction. There are no known drug interactions with psyllium – except that psyllium, if taken together with your medication, can delay the absorption of your medication. One source suggests that psyllium shouldn’t be taken together with guar gum. Guar, another fibre supplement, works the same way psyllium does. So take one or the other, but not both at the same time.
Could there be complications if I have another disorder or disease?
At times, the use of a remedy for a particular condition may have a different or enhanced effect when other diseases are present. At other times, the remedy may worsen or affect another disease. Fibre should not be used if you suspect you have a chronic bowel obstruction unless you have discussed this with your doctor. It is also best to temporarily restrict fibre after abdominal surgery and when there is a flare-up of chronic bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
At times, the use of a remedy for a particular condition may have a different or enhanced effect when other diseases are present. At other times, the remedy may worsen or affect another disease. Fibre should not be used if you suspect you have a chronic bowel obstruction unless you have discussed this with your doctor. It is also best to temporarily restrict fibre after abdominal surgery and when there is a flare-up of chronic bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
What About Allergies?
People who have known allergies or asthma may be at an increased risk for a reaction from any food or remedy. The physician should always know a patient’s allergy history. Signs of an allergic reaction are skin rash, hives, itching and even breathing and swallowing problems. Don’t take psyllium if you have had a previous reaction to oral or inhaled psyllium powder, stool softeners or bulking agents.
People who have known allergies or asthma may be at an increased risk for a reaction from any food or remedy. The physician should always know a patient’s allergy history. Signs of an allergic reaction are skin rash, hives, itching and even breathing and swallowing problems. Don’t take psyllium if you have had a previous reaction to oral or inhaled psyllium powder, stool softeners or bulking agents.
Psyllium and Pregnancy
Fibre is generally recommended during pregnancy when constipation can become a problem. Remember that fibre is not a laxative, although this is the term that the FDA makes manufacturers use on the label. Psyllium is no different from oatmeal or fruits, which always form part of a healthy diet. These are all types of healthy soluble fibre.
Fibre is generally recommended during pregnancy when constipation can become a problem. Remember that fibre is not a laxative, although this is the term that the FDA makes manufacturers use on the label. Psyllium is no different from oatmeal or fruits, which always form part of a healthy diet. These are all types of healthy soluble fibre.
Some sources do however suggest that it may be safer for women to consult with a doctor about psyllium if they are pregnant or thinking about getting pregnant.
Where can I obtain psyllium?
Psyllium (Colon Cleanse) is available from all Nature’s Choice stockists.
Psyllium (Colon Cleanse) is available from all Nature’s Choice stockists.
Conclusion
Everyone should get a healthy amount of soluble and insoluble fibre in their food each day. There are many beneficial effects of fibre, and these effects are no less visible in psyllium. This soluble fibre promotes bowel regularity and probably reduces the chance of heart disease and certain cancers. Psyllium should be viewed as nothing more than part of the foods you eat to stay healthy each day.
Everyone should get a healthy amount of soluble and insoluble fibre in their food each day. There are many beneficial effects of fibre, and these effects are no less visible in psyllium. This soluble fibre promotes bowel regularity and probably reduces the chance of heart disease and certain cancers. Psyllium should be viewed as nothing more than part of the foods you eat to stay healthy each day.
Sources Consulted
http://www.healthline.com/health/psyllium-health-benefits
http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-psyllium-husk.html
