YOUR CONTINUED GOOD HEALTH IS OUR GOAL

Sat Isabgol
Plantago ovata

English Name: Psyllium 

Family: Plantaginaceae

Helps to reduce risk of heart attack by decreasing serum cholesterol through proper excretion of bile acids. Also helps in eliminating accumulated toxic, chemicals and excessive waste products from the body.

Psyllium husk is derived from the seed of the Plantago ovata plant. Besides Plantago ovata, psyllium is also known as Ispaghula and Isapgol. Plantago ovata is an annual herb native to Asia, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa. Psyllium grows in sandy and silty soils.

Psyllium has a long history of use throughout the world. Psyllium has been used in traditional medicine in the US, Europe, India, and China. Some of the uses of psyllium in traditional medicine are as laxative, emollient, demulcent, and diuretic.

In a comparative study of the effects of codeine phosphate, diphenoxylate (as Lomotil) and isapghul (as Isogel), ingested between meals, on ileostomy output in 18 patients, Isogel produced the most viscid output. Isapghul (as Psyllium) has also been compared with methylcellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a hydrophilic laxative and was found to be superior. The effects of bran, isapghul and lactulose were also observed in 31 patients with diverticular disease. Isapghul had a significant effect on the stool weight and increased basal motility, though all three test substances had a laxative effect. In ayurveda the mucilaginous seeds are used as laxative, demulcent and astringent, particularly in chronic colitis. In modern medicine, the plant is used as a mild bulk laxative. It has also been used in urinary infections as an ancillary treatment.

No untoward effects have been reported in the use of Isapghul in thousands of patients taking it for many years.