What Is Psyllium Used for?
Psyllium is best known for its use as a bulk laxative. While it is very effective in this regard, psyllium contains many other beneficial chemical compounds which make it an excellent herb for the the colon, spleen and stomach. In addition, psyllium is considered a nutritive herb because it is a good source of several vitamins and minerals.
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Psyllium Husks
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When talking about psyllium, most people are talking about the husks. Also called psyllium hulls, these are the outside covering of the seeds. Psyllium husks provide bulk to the stool by absorbing water from the system. The added mass in the intestines stimulates peristalsis, or the intestinal contractions which cause the bowels to move. Psyllium husks are used in many commercial laxative preparations.
In his book, The Way of Herbs, Michael Tierra, L.A.c,. O.M.D suggests psyllium husks are especially effective in cases of acute and chronic dry constipation. He suggests stirring one teaspoon of psyllium husks into a cup of water or fruit juice each evening before bed.
Psyllium husks are also helpful when you're following a detox program. According to Elson Haas, MD, in his book Staying Healthy with Nutrition, psyllium husks pull toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and clean mucus and other build up from the walls of the intestines. They also decrease the time it takes for waste to move through the intestines and out of the body, further reducing the amount of toxins absorbed.
Psyllium Seeds
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Psyllium seed are also used for their bulk laxative effect, but they also contain chemicals which make the seeds effective in healing skin irritations. Dr. Tierra suggests grinding the seeds with a bit of water and applying this meal directly on the skin.
Adding psyllium seeds to the diet is of nutritional benefit because they contain protein, fats, and enzymes, along with tannins, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids.
In Nutritional Herbology: A Reference Guide to Herbs, Mark Pederson suggests that psyllium seeds can be used by those with chronic candida or yeast infections. While the candida is not killed by psyllium seeds, but it works by blocking the body's absorption of metabolic waste from the candida. It's this metabolic waste that causes symptoms in sensitive individuals.
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Nutritional Content
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Nutritional Herbology lists the Nutritional Profile of psyllium seeds or husks. According to this resource, psyllium seeds or husks contain the following amounts of vitamins and minerals. Please note amounts are calculated on the dried herb containing zero moisture and is listed per 100 gm of the herb.
Calcium 334 mg (considered a low source)
Chromium .08 mg (considered an average source)
Dietary Fiber 60.3% (considered a very high source)
Iron 2.0mg (considered an average source)
Selenium . 14 mg (considered an average source)
Vitamin A 4,032 IU (considered an average source)
Zinc .21 mg (considered a high source)
Medicinal Properties of Psyllium
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According to Mark Pederson's Nutritional Herbolgy, Psyllium absorbs toxins from the bowel, regulates intestinal flora, reduces the time it takes for waste to move through the bowel and acts as a soothing agent to the entire digestive tract. It is also thought that the tannins in psyllium act as a mild diuretic.
Where to Find Psyllium
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Popular OTC powder laxatives contain psyllium, check the labels of your favorite for details. Psyllium seeds and husks can be purchased in bulk or in capsule form from your local health food store, and from herbal sellers on line.
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