How to Use Psyllium Seed
The seed of the psyllium plant, known also as plantago psyllium or plantago isphagula, has a husk covered in mucilage. Mucilage swells and bulks when exposed to water; this is what allows psyllium to work as a bulk laxative, stimulating your intestines to move their bulk through your system. Psyllium is also an effective treatment for diarrhea because it absorbs the excess water and provides a soft, bulky stool.
Instructions
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Place 2 or 3 tsp. of psyllium seed husk, or the powdered seed husk, in an 8-oz. glass of water.
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Stir the water and psyllium seed vigorously to blend--you can also use a blender on low speed to do this.
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Sweeten the psyllium drink to taste with honey, stevia or molasses if necessary.
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Drink the water and psyllium immediately. If you delay, the psyllium will turn gelatinous and then set, becoming very unpalatable.
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Follow the psyllium with another 8-oz. glass of water. Make sure to continue drinking large amounts of water throughout the day to help move the psyllium through your system.
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Tips & Warnings
While the basic dose for psyllium is 2 to 3 tsp. in water, it's safe to take in much higher doses--as much as 10 tsp. or more may be used to treat diarrhea as long as you keep drinking copious amounts of water to help move it through your system. You may also encounter psyllium sold in capsule form. Just follow the instructions on the bottle--in most case, taking two or three capsules followed by abundant water, sometimes as many as three to six times a day.
Psyllium absorbs water as it moves through your intestines, so failure to drink enough water with the psyllium seed may result in intestinal blockages. Don't take psyllium within one hour of other medications--it may slow down or decrease their effects.
