Plantago ovata, Ispaghul, Psyllium

Ispaghul, Ispaghula, Blonde Psyllium
Ashwagol (Ayurveda)
Tukhm Aspghol (Unani)

H.G.A. Engler, Das Pflanzenreich, Plantaginaceae, vol. 269 (1937)

Botanical name:

Plantago spp.
Two main species supply Psyllium or Ispaghul:

Blonde, White, Indian Psyllium, or Ispaghul: P. ovata (syn. P. orbignyanus, P. decumbens, P. ispaghula)
Black, French or Spanish Psyllium: P. psyllium and P. afra

Parts used:

Seed; Mucilage; Seed Husk

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, moist. Sweet

Uses:

1. Clears Stomach Heat, Soothes Irritation:
-Gastritis
-Diarrhea, Dysentery from Heat (seed, seed husks)
-has an appetite suppressant effect
-Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis

2. Clears Damp-Heat, Promotes Urine:
-Urinary tract irritation, Bladder or Urethra disorders
-Gonorrhea
-Hyperlipidemia
-also for Hypertension

3. Promotes Stool:
-seed and seed husk is used in Constipation from dryness
-seed husk is a bulk laxative

4. Benefits Kidneys, Astringes Essence::
-seed decoction is given in the morning to prevent Miscarriage
-Diabetes (husk)
-increases Semen Viscosity (for Premature Ejaculation)

5. Externally:
-emollient poultice

Dose:

Seed in Powder: 3–10 grams
Average dose of the Seed Husk is 5 grams (1 heaped teaspoon), 2 or 3 times daily with plenty of liquid.

Corrective:

Honey and Lemon juice (Unani)

Substitute:

1. Ispaghul seed is used as a substitute for Licorice and Purslane seed in Unani medicine.
2. Quince seed (Unani)
3. If used as a mucilage, a number of other mucilaginous seeds can be used: Linseed, Mallow seed, Fenugreek, Plantain seed etc.

Comment:

1. The Seed is most used traditionally
2. The mucilage is most commonly used to bind pills together etc.
3. The Seed Coat is used as a bulk laxative, which is more typically a modern practice..

Main Combinations:

When used to form mucilage, it is commonly used with other mucilaginous seeds such as Linseed, Fenugreek, Marshmallow or Mallow seed etc.

1. Fatty Liver Disease, Ispaghul, Lacca, Wormwood, and Callitris rhomboidea (this was studied for its effectiveness)
2. Trichomonasis; Marham Dakhliyun, composed of Ispaghul, Monoxide of Lead, Marshmallow seed, Phyllanthus maderaspatensis seed, Linseed, and Fenugreek, made into a paste with Olive oil was administered intravaginally, 5 grams per day. It was found clinically effective.
3. Stoppage of Urine, Marshmallow seed, Cucumber seed, Melon seed, Purslane seed, Poppy seed, made into pills with mucilage of Ispaghul (as in Pills for Stoppage of Urine)
4, Pleurisy, Marshmallow seed, Tragacanth, Fennel seed, Violet, Licorice juice; form tablets with a mucilage of Quince seed, Linseed and Ispaghul seed.
5. Spitting Blood, Amber, Tabasheer, Dragons Blood, Tragacanth, Red Earth, Melon and Pumpkin seed kernel, made into Pills with mucilage of Ispaghul (as in Pills for Spitting Blood of Unani)

Major Formulas:

Syrup of Psyllium (Mesue)
Pills for Stoppage of Urine
Pills for Spitting Blood (Unani)

Cautions:

1. Wind and Bloating can occur with Psyllium.
2. Some people are allergic to Psyllium.
3. Avoid excess use which which may cause obstruction.