What Are Psyllium Seeds?

Psyllium seeds come from plants of the Plantaginaceae family, which includes about 250 species. According to "The New Healing Herbs," psyllium seed is considered among the gentlest and safest laxatives, earning it a place in centuries-old herbal healing practices. Psyllium is also known as plantage, fleaseed and plantain. This plantain plant should not be confused with the plantain that is similar in appearance to bananas.

Description

• Native to India, Iran, North Africa and Asia, psyllium, commonly produced from the species Plantago psyllium, is a bushy annual herbal plant that reaches 18 inches in height. In summer, it produces small white flowers that give way to the small brown seed pods, also called psyllium. Each plant produces up to 15,000 of the tiny, gel-coated seeds, which are tasteless, odorless and covered with husks.

Fiber Content

• The main constituent of psyllium seeds is dietary fiber. Psyllium seeds have a coating that is made up of about one-third soluble fiber known as mucilage, which is formed mainly from polysaccharides. When the seeds are exposed to water, the mucilage swells to more than 10 times normal size and becomes gelatinous. Psyllium seeds also contain carbohydrates, sterols, oil and some flavonoids. Almost all of the therapeutic benefits of psyllium seeds are derived from its soluble fiber, according to the website Herbs2000.

Therapeutic Property

• Psyllium seeds have bulk-forming actions that increase the volume of stool, making them useful for treating constipation. According to "The New Healing Herbs," psyllium is one of North America's most commonly used bulk-forming laxatives and is the active ingredient in brand-name laxative products.

History

• Traditional ayurvedic and Chinese physicians have used psyllium seeds for centuries to treat a range of health issues, such as urinary problems, high blood pressure, constipation and hemorrhoids. The use of psyllium, to treat constipation and diarrhea, entered European folk medicine during the 16th century; in the 17th century, psyllium was used to treat gout, inflammation and hemorrhoids. European physicians soon adopted psyllium, but it was not widely used in the United States until after World War I.

Safety

• Psyllium seed formulations are considered safe to use if taken in the recommended amounts. However, an individual suffering from chronic constipation should check with his health care provider before using psyllium in any form.