Plantago psyllia

Plantago psyllia
Family:Plantago psyllia; Demulcent; Emollient; Laxative; Skin.
Common name:Fleawort
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 and laxative. The seeds have a mucilaginous coat and swell to several times their volume when in water. The seeds and the husks contain high levels of fibre 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 diarrhoea and by helping to soften the stool they reduce the irritation of haemorrhoids. 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.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 05:10 []