Psyllium, whole seeds, organic - 100g

Psylli nigrum Sem.,whole seeds, controlled organic cultivation

Psylli nigrum Sem.,whole seeds, controlled organic cultivation

Indication

For frequently recurring constipation; disorders in which easier evacuation of the bowels with soft stools is desired, e.g. anal fissures (painful tears in the folds of the anal mucosa), haemorrhoids, after rectal-anal surgery and during pregnancy; supportive therapy for diarrhoea.

Use

Psyllium seeds are taken with plenty of liquid. Soak 1 teaspoon of psyllium seeds in 1 glass of water for 10-15 minutes to form a pulpy mass. Drink on an empty stomach up to 3 times a day and rinse with plenty of water.

Medicinal Herb Description

History:

Psyllium is an ancient medicinal plant that is gaining importance today because of its effect against obesity. Dioscorides already mentioned the medicinal benefits of psyllium in ancient times. He recommended it for warm compresses for oedema, dislocations, ulcers, gout and other health problems. Psyllium is also mentioned in the Pharmakopoeia Württemberg, published in 1741. There, it is recommended against biliousness and sore throats. Indian psyllium has been used for a long time against all kinds of mucous membrane inflammations and irritations. The small seeds of the psyllium plant have enormous swelling power, which makes them recommended as a means of filling the stomach. Thanks to their large amount of mucilage, psyllium seeds can also regulate digestion. Their gentle stimulation of the metabolism rounds off the range of effects. Psyllium seeds are actually several plant species of the plantain family, including a European species that was already known in ancient times. Nowadays, however, it is mainly the Indian species of psyllium that is used, which looks very similar to our native ribwort plantain.

Occurrence:

The home of this medicinal plant is the Mediterranean region and Western Asia. Psyllium is cultivated in Cuba, India, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, Spain, southern Brazil and in Russia.

Plant family:

Plantain family = Plantaginaceae

Colloquial names:

Desert Indianwheat (English), fleabane, heusamen, Indian psyllium, Indian plantain, psyllium, sand plantain, shrub plantain.

Botanical description:

There are several species of plants in the genus Plantago, all of which produce the so-called psyllium seeds. The seeds of the species Plantago ovata (Indian plantain) are particularly commonly sold as psyllium. Psyllium is an annual, upright-growing herb about 20 cm low with narrow, elongated leaves. The flowering branches are in the upper leaf axils and form a spike as an inflorescence. The dark brown seeds, 2 - 3 mm long, are in a two-chambered fruit capsule. The seeds, which are used as psyllium, are elongated-oval and reddish.

Plant part used:

The seeds of the psyllium are used medicinally.

Active substance/gathering time:

 In herbal medicine, the Indian psyllium is mainly used medicinally nowadays; it has a much stronger swelling capacity than the European psyllium. Either the whole seeds or only the psyllium husks are used.

July - September

Ingredients:

Mucilage, oil, cellulose, iridoid glycosides, aucubin (liver-protective effect).

Medicinal properties:

Laxative, digestive, lowers blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, softens stools.

The psyllium seeds swell very strongly due to the mucilage they contain, especially the psyllium seed husks, and thus cause an increase in the volume of the stool in the intestine. This results in increased filling pressure, which causes the intestinal contents to be transported onwards more quickly. In addition, the mucus in the psyllium promotes the lubrication of the intestinal contents. Constipation and constipation can thus be successfully alleviated. The increase in volume stimulates intestinal activity and makes the intestinal contents supple, increasing the stool volume and thus modulating the transit time. The effect occurs after 12- 24 hours, the maximum effect is reached only after an intake of 2- 3 days. The drug lowers serum cholesterol levels and reduces postprandial (after meal) blood glucose rise.

Use and dosage:

For anal fissure, angina, obesity, ulcerative colitis, intestinal sluggishness, diabetes mellitus, diarrhoea (diarrhoea), diverticulosis, boils, ulcers, gout, haemorrhoids, hyperlipidaemia (raised blood lipids), Crohn's disease, habitual constipation (recurrent constipation), oedema, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity.

One of the main uses of psyllium is constipation (habitual constipation) or conditions where soft stools are desired, such as haemorrhoids, anal fissures or after surgery. In the case of watery diarrhoea, on the other hand, taking psyllium can improve stool consistency. The psyllium seeds can absorb the excess fluid in the intestine, and on this occasion also the toxins of the bacteria, thus rendering them ineffective. Psyllium has a similar effect on diarrhoea as charcoal tablets.

Furthermore, treatment during the remission phase of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can stabilise the course of the disease. Psyllium is so gentle and so well tolerated by most people that it has a soothing effect on the highly irritated and inflamed bowels of patients with these chronic bowel diseases. In addition to a mild cholesterol-lowering effect, the administration of psyllium also causes a slower absorption of sugar, which can be important for diabetics. Used regularly, psyllium can reduce uric acid levels in the blood. Therefore, psyllium can be used as an adjunctive treatment for gout. Psyllium is also said to have an anti-carcinogenic protective effect. The high mucilage content of psyllium draws a kind of protective film over the sensitive intestinal mucous membranes, which are thus protected from aggressive substances, preventing inflammation and thus reducing the risk of cancer. Of course, this only applies if psyllium is taken regularly.

If you are overweight, psyllium acts as a bulking agent to promote satiety. Unlike other dietary fibres and swelling agents, such as wheat bran, psyllium seeds are not converted into high-calorie carbohydrates, but remain almost calorie-free. In addition, psyllium seeds promote digestion, which can also be a favourable factor for weight reduction. In addition, they have a favourable effect on the blood sugar level and the fat levels in the blood.

Folk medicine also uses psyllium for bladder infections.

Since the fats contained in psyllium seeds go rancid easily, crushed psyllium seeds should not be stored for long. Furthermore, the seed must be kept away from moisture. To treat constipation, take the psyllium seeds or the psyllium husks and drink plenty of water with them. The psyllium seeds should not be pre-swollen, but should swell up in the intestine and multiply their volume.

The strong water-binding capacity of psyllium seeds together with their high mucilage content also makes them suitable for external use. You can prepare a psyllium poultice from psyllium seeds.

To do this, soak psyllium seeds in warm or cold water to make a spreadable paste. Apply it to the area to be treated and cover it with a cloth. Leave the poultice in place for one to several hours. Then remove the poultice and wash the treated area with clean water. For the treatment of boils and superficial abscesses, make a poultice with psyllium as warm as possible. The warmth has a softening effect on the inflamed area. The swelling capacity of the psyllium sucks the inflamed tissue fluid out of the tissue and thus promotes the healing of the boil.

A cold psyllium poultice can be applied to dislocations and other blunt injuries of the musculoskeletal system. The cool psyllium mass conducts the heat away from the injured part of the body. In addition, the psyllium pulp absorbs tissue fluid so that the swelling is reduced.

The usual daily dose for whole psyllium seeds is between 10 and 40 g. The dose for psyllium husks is 4- 20 g. The psyllium seeds are taken with plenty of liquid (at least 1:10). Milk should not be used as the liquid, because together with milk the swelling of the psyllium seeds does not work.

Special notes:

Normally, psyllium seeds are very well tolerated. They are considered mild and soothing. Only in rare cases can allergies occur, which are especially common with powdered psyllium. These allergies can be avoided by using purified psyllium husks from which proteins have been removed.

Diabetics who require insulin may need to reduce their insulin dose when taking psyllium seeds. Diabetics should only take psyllium under close monitoring of the blood sugar level, as the delayed absorption of carbohydrates may result in a changed insulin requirement.

Psyllium should not be taken in cases of poorly controlled diabetes.

Other medicines should not be taken at the same time as psyllium, but at least half an hour later, because the strong mucilage of psyllium prevents or delays the absorption of the medicines.

Do not use in cases of intestinal obstruction (ileus), narrowing of the oesophagus or gastrointestinal tract, swallowing difficulties and acute inflammation of the oesophagus, stomach and intestines!

Do not take while lying down or in the evening before going to bed!

If chest pain, vomiting or difficulty swallowing or breathing occurs after taking the medicine, consult a doctor immediately!

In case of persistent constipation or stool irregularities or unclear complaints in the gastrointestinal tract, the causes must be clarified by a doctor!

Make sure you drink enough fluids!

Indication

For frequently recurring constipation; disorders in which easier evacuation of the bowels with soft stools is desired, e.g. anal fissures (painful tears in the folds of the anal mucosa), haemorrhoids, after rectal-anal surgery and during pregnancy; supportive therapy for diarrhoea.

Use

Psyllium seeds are taken with plenty of liquid. The usual daily dose is 10-40 grams. Approximately 10 times this amount of liquid should be drunk with it. Do not drink milk, as this prevents the seeds from swelling. For further applications see below.

Medicinal herb description

History:

Psyllium is an ancient medicinal plant that is gaining importance today because of its effect against obesity. In ancient times, Dioscorides already mentioned the medicinal benefits of psyllium seeds. He recommended it for warm compresses for oedema, dislocations, ulcers, gout and other health problems. Psyllium is also mentioned in the Pharmakopoeia Württemberg, published in 1741. There, it is recommended against biliousness and sore throats. Indian psyllium has been used for a long time against all kinds of mucous membrane inflammations and irritations. The small seeds of the psyllium plant have enormous swelling power, which makes them recommended as a means of filling the stomach. Thanks to their large amount of mucilage, psyllium seeds can also regulate digestion. Their gentle stimulation of the metabolism rounds off the range of effects. Psyllium seeds are actually several plant species of the plantain family, including a European species that was already known in ancient times. Nowadays, however, it is mainly the Indian species of psyllium that is used, which looks very similar to our native ribwort plantain.

Occurrence:

The home of this medicinal plant is the Mediterranean region and Western Asia. Psyllium is cultivated in Cuba, India, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, Spain, southern Brazil and in Russia.

Plant family:

Plantain family = Plantaginaceae

Colloquial names:

Desert Indianwheat (English), fleabane, heusamen, Indian psyllium, Indian plantain, psyllium, sand plantain, shrub plantain.

Botanical description:

There are several species of plants in the genus Plantago, all of which produce the so-called psyllium seeds. The seeds of the species Plantago ovata (Indian plantain) are particularly commonly sold as psyllium. Psyllium is an annual, upright-growing herb about 20 cm low with narrow, elongated leaves. The flowering branches are in the upper leaf axils and form a spike as an inflorescence. The dark brown seeds, 2 - 3 mm long, are in a two-chambered fruit capsule. The seeds, which are used as psyllium, are elongated-oval and reddish.

Plant part used:

The seeds of the psyllium are used medicinally.

Active substance/gathering time:

 In herbal medicine, the Indian psyllium is mainly used medicinally nowadays; it has a much stronger swelling capacity than the European psyllium. Either the whole seeds or only the psyllium husks are used.

July - September

Ingredients:

Mucilage, oil, cellulose, iridoid glycosides, aucubin (liver-protective effect).

Medicinal properties:

Laxative, digestive, lowers blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, softens stools.

The psyllium seeds swell very strongly due to the mucilage they contain, especially the psyllium seed husks, and thus cause an increase in the volume of the stool in the intestine. This results in increased filling pressure, which causes the intestinal contents to be transported onwards more quickly. In addition, the mucus in the psyllium promotes the lubrication of the intestinal contents. Constipation and constipation can thus be successfully alleviated. The increase in volume stimulates intestinal activity and makes the intestinal contents supple, increasing the stool volume and thus modulating the transit time. The effect occurs after 12- 24 hours, the maximum effect is reached only after an intake of 2- 3 days. The drug lowers serum cholesterol levels and reduces postprandial (after meal) blood glucose rise.

Use and dosage:

For anal fissure, angina, obesity, ulcerative colitis, intestinal sluggishness, diabetes mellitus, diarrhoea (diarrhoea), diverticulosis, boils, ulcers, gout, haemorrhoids, hyperlipidaemia (raised blood lipids), Crohn's disease, habitual constipation (recurrent constipation), oedema, irritable bowel syndrome, obesity.

One of the main uses of psyllium is constipation (habitual constipation) or conditions where soft stools are desired, such as haemorrhoids, anal fissures or after surgery. In the case of watery diarrhoea, on the other hand, taking psyllium can improve stool consistency. The psyllium seeds can absorb the excess fluid in the intestine, and on this occasion also the toxins of the bacteria, thus rendering them ineffective. Psyllium has a similar effect on diarrhoea as charcoal tablets.

Furthermore, treatment during the remission phase of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can stabilise the course of the disease. Psyllium is so gentle and so well tolerated by most people that it has a soothing effect on the highly irritated and inflamed bowels of patients with these chronic bowel diseases. In addition to a mild cholesterol-lowering effect, the administration of psyllium also causes a slower absorption of sugar, which can be important for diabetics. Used regularly, psyllium can reduce uric acid levels in the blood. Therefore, psyllium can be used as an adjunctive treatment for gout. Psyllium is also said to have an anti-carcinogenic protective effect. The high mucilage content of psyllium draws a kind of protective film over the sensitive intestinal mucous membranes, which are thus protected from aggressive substances, preventing inflammation and thus reducing the risk of cancer. Of course, this only applies if psyllium is taken regularly.

If you are overweight, psyllium acts as a bulking agent to promote satiety. Unlike other dietary fibres and swelling agents, such as wheat bran, psyllium seeds are not converted into high-calorie carbohydrates, but remain almost calorie-free. In addition, psyllium seeds promote digestion, which can also be a favourable factor for weight reduction. In addition, they have a favourable effect on the blood sugar level and the fat levels in the blood.

Folk medicine also uses psyllium for bladder infections.

Since the fats contained in psyllium seeds go rancid easily, crushed psyllium seeds should not be stored for long. Furthermore, the seed must be kept away from moisture. To treat constipation, take the psyllium seeds or the psyllium husks and drink plenty of water with them. The psyllium seeds should not be pre-swollen, but should swell up in the intestine and multiply their volume.

The strong water-binding capacity of psyllium seeds together with their high mucilage content also makes them suitable for external use. You can prepare a psyllium poultice from psyllium seeds.

To do this, soak psyllium seeds in warm or cold water to make a spreadable paste. Apply it to the area to be treated and cover it with a cloth. Leave the poultice in place for one to several hours. Then remove the poultice and wash the treated area with clean water. For the treatment of boils and superficial abscesses, make a poultice with psyllium as warm as possible. The warmth has a softening effect on the inflamed area. The swelling capacity of the psyllium sucks the inflamed tissue fluid out of the tissue and thus promotes the healing of the boil.

A cold psyllium poultice can be applied to dislocations and other blunt injuries of the musculoskeletal system. The cool psyllium mass conducts the heat away from the injured part of the body. In addition, the psyllium pulp absorbs tissue fluid so that the swelling is reduced.

The usual daily dose for whole psyllium seeds is between 10 and 40 g. The dose for psyllium husks is 4- 20 g. The psyllium seeds are taken with plenty of liquid (at least 1:10). Milk should not be used as the liquid, because together with milk the swelling of the psyllium seeds does not work.

Special notes:

Normally, psyllium seeds are very well tolerated. They are considered mild and soothing. Only in rare cases can allergies occur, which are especially common with powdered psyllium. These allergies can be avoided by using purified psyllium husks from which proteins have been removed.

Diabetics who require insulin may need to reduce their insulin dose when taking psyllium seeds. Diabetics should only take psyllium under close monitoring of the blood sugar level, as the delayed absorption of carbohydrates may result in a changed insulin requirement.

Psyllium should not be taken in cases of poorly controlled diabetes.

Other medicines should not be taken at the same time as psyllium, but at least half an hour later, because the strong mucilage of psyllium prevents or delays the absorption of the medicines.

Do not use in cases of intestinal obstruction (ileus), narrowing of the oesophagus or gastrointestinal tract, swallowing difficulties and acute inflammation of the oesophagus, stomach and intestines!

Do not take while lying down or in the evening before going to bed!

If chest pain, vomiting or difficulty swallowing or breathing occurs after taking the medicine, consult a doctor immediately!

In case of persistent constipation or stool irregularities or unclear complaints in the gastrointestinal tract, the causes must be clarified by a doctor!

Make sure you drink enough fluids!