Herbs as
Medicine Pages

Psyllium Seed

Psyllium is a bulk laxative that increases the volume of the intestinal contents. The major component of Psyllium is mucilage. The seeds and husks are hydrophilic (water loving) bulking agents which swell several times their original size in water. This increased bulk creates a stretching action on the walls of the intestines which stimulates the movement of the bowels. This non-digestible mucilage is found in both the seed and the husk. 

It is found in dietary products to help the person fill that "full" feeling, and in laxatives to help the bowels move but it can also be used to slow down peristalsis on a person experiencing diarrhea.  

For a laxative and bulk effect Psyllium husks should be taken with water and then at least 6 more cups of fluid should be taken during the day. (Some herbalists say a total of 8 cup or 2 quarts) If less fluid is taken in, the Psyllium will have to draw moisture from the GI tract and its tissues. This astringent action will will then further block or constipate the body. So for diarrhea only the original water taken with the husk need be taken.  

The husk is a thin translucent membrane which is tasteless and without odor, but when soaked it will increase up to 14 times it's original size. It is the mucilage (a complex carbohydrate) which does this. The seeds are composed of 10 to 30 percent mucilage, which is present mainly in the husk. For the purpose of preventing cholesterol absorption and scrubbing off the intestinal walls and cleaning out old putrefied waste material the husks are generally used. The seeds contain oils and tannins which would be undesirable in bulk laxative preparations.  

The special asset of the raw hull is that because it is a vegetable, it has a purely mechanical action, lubricating and cleansing the intestines simultaneously. Thus there are no side effects. Jethro Kloss described this herb as being a colon broom, sweeping out all the caked on matter. Psyllium husks can be used for chronic constipation and inflammatory diverticulitis as a regulator for digestive enzymes and colon bacteria. It will greatly assist in the treatment of colitis anal fissures, ulcers, and hemorrhoids, but it can also be taken just to cleanse the intestines and help prevent disease. 

The recommended dosage for adults is 2 tsp after meals and 1 hour before meals in a warm glass of water. For children use 1/2 teaspoon after meals.

The seed is usually used of poultices to relieve skin irritations and draw out pus from boils, carbuncles, and sores.

Bodily Influence:

Absorbent: This herb soaks in water

Demulcent: This herb softens and soothes damaged or inflamed surfaces such as the gastric mucous membranes.   

Lubricating bulk laxative:

Mucilant: This herb protects mucous membranes and inflamed tissues

(The outer husks are used as a bulk-fiber laxative and are not as irritating as the seeds while the whole seed is a lubricating laxative but used more as a drawing agent in poultices.)
 

We recommend Wilderness Family Naturals products because of their integrity and quality. However, other online retailers and natural food stores may also carry similar goods. Whenever, possible we have tried to give you information on how to recognize superior products. Wilderness Family Naturals products can be found at: www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com or by calling (800) 945-3801.