What Is a Psyllium Seed Husk?

Psyllium seed husks have become a popular dietary suppliant used to add fiber to a healthy diet. Practitioners of alternative medicine have also identified a number of secondary uses for psyllium seed husks that may help prevent certain types of disease. Psyllium seed husks are sold at most vitamin and health food stores, so pick some up and start benefiting from this all-natural super supplement.

What are Psyllium Seeds?

• Psyllium seeds are produced by the small bushy plant P. psyllium, which is a member of the Plantago family. P. psyllium is native to India and Pakistan and is now commercially grown in eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, India and Pakistan. Psyllium seeds are relatively small seeds, with 1,000 weighing less than 2 metric grams. The seeds are enclosed in a fibrous husk that surrounds the seed until it is removed by thrashing and winnowing.

What are Psyllium Seed Husks?

• Psyllium seed husks are a waste product usually removed from psyllium seeds through thrashing and winnowing. When the seed stalks are dried, they are thrashed against the ground to break loose the seeds and are tossed up in the air to allow the lighter seed husk to be blown off; the heavier seeds fall into a collection area. The seed husks, however, have unique properties, making them useful in a number of applications. They contain high levels of mucilage, a substance that attracts and absorbs water.

As a Suppliment

• As a supplement, psyllium husks are prized for their effectiveness as a water soluble, indigestible dietary fiber. They are added to diet/health foods, high-fiber cereals and fiber supplements. Psyllium seed husks absorb excess water in the small intestine and swell considerably in size, acting as a natural cleanser. As a dietary supplement, psyllium husks have been shown to be effective at relieving diarrhea, constipation and at restoring normal bowel function. Psyllium husks are also used in alternative medicine as daily supplements to lose weight, lower cholesterol and prevent cancer.

Dosage

• When taking psyllium husks as a supplement, it is important to remember that psyllium husks are an effective indigestible dietary fiber, so do not exceed recommended dosage. An adult dose is 3 to 5 grams at one time, taken up to three times daily. Some important precautions must also be followed: Dosage should be lowered when first beginning a psyllium supplement, as indigestible fiber may cause uncomfortable gas/bloating. It is important to drink plenty of water because psyllium absorbs water from the small intestine and may cause dehydration. Lastly, do not take psyllium husk if you are pregnant, experiencing abdominal pain or are using other fiber supplements or laxatives.

Other Uses

• Because of the plant's unique properties, psyllium husk has many uses. It is used as a coagulant/thickening agent in cooking and is used as a coating for agricultural seeds to absorb water and assist germination. Psyllium husks are also used in alternative medicine as a supplement to help people to lose weight, lower cholesterol, prevent cancer, treat diabetes and ease pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoids.