You might know that psyllium seed husk is an ingredient in many over-the-counter laxatives. In other parts of the world, psyllium seeds are used to treat rheumatism, gout, fever and red eyes. Incorporating psyllium seed husk into your diet may also be a good way to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
Identification
The psyllium plant belongs to the Plantago family, with the Latin name Plantago ovata. According to UCLA's Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, these plants originated in the Mediterranean region and were carried to North America by Spanish explorers---most likely by accident. The plant is a stemless annual, with leaves, seeds and flowers that bloom two months after planting; it is ready for harvest two months later.
Psyllium Seed Husk
The psyllium plant contains a small, oval, whitish seed and a husk, or seed coat. After being sifted and cleaned, the seeds may be sold as is or stripped of their husks and sold separately. According to the Mathias Botanical Garden, processing seeds and husks separately is a laborious process involving repeated sieving and screening to remove any trace of reddish kernel from the white husk. Once the husk has been separated, it's usually ground up into a fiber called mucilage. According to the University of Wisconsin and University of Minnesota Alternative Field Crops Manual, this mucilage weighs 25 percent more than the seed it used to surround.
Geography
Today, most psyllium comes from Pakistan and India. According to Metamucil, whose laxative products include psyllium fiber, about 85 percent of the world's psyllium comes from India, with the United States positioned as the world's top importer. The Mathias Botanical Garden reports that 3,000 tons of psyllium husks arrive in the U.S. from India each year.
Common Uses
Psyllium's most common use is as a laxative, thanks to the soluble and insoluble fiber contained in the seed husk. The husk absorbs water in the digestive tract, swelling in size and encouraging bowel movement. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus website, psyllium can also help treat diarrhea. It may seem counterintuitive that one item can help with both constipation and diarrhea, but psyllium has the ability to increase bowel movements and stool weight. One characteristic relieves constipation, while the other helps treat diarrhea.
Potential
Psyllium husk may also help lower cholesterol. According to Medline Plus, psyllium has been linked to "modest effects" on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels after 8 weeks of use. Although more research is needed, psyllium may also help prevent colon cancer, high blood sugar and inflammatory bowel disease.
Member Comments