Psyllium Husk Seed

Common Names of Psyllium:
Psyllium husk, Sat-Isabgol, Indian Plantago, Plantago Ishagula, Isabgol, Flea, Ispaghua, Spogel, Plantago Psyllium, Isaphgol, Plantago sp., Isabgula, Plataginis Ovata Testa

Botanical Names of Psyllium:
Plantago Ovata, Plantago Ispaghula

Psyllium Other Name:
Psyllii Semen, Blond Psyllium, Sand Plantain, Plantago Arenaria, Flohsamen

Description:
The psyllium seed is encased in a thin white, translucent mucilaginous membrance know as ISABGOL HUSK or ‘SAT-ISABGOL’ .

Psyllium seed is used in medicine since long time. The Persian physician, alhervi prescribed its use as early as 10th century for treatment of chronic dysentery and intestinal fluxes. The mucilage of seed husk acts as lubricant in the large intestine.

Cemical Constituents of Psyllium Seed:

• The psyllium seed yields a colloidal mucilage consisting mainly of xylose , arabinose and galacturonic acid.
• The seeds contain a significant amount of proteins ( 17 to 19 ).
• Chromatographic screening of proteins of seeds indicates the presence of seven amino acide in bound from.
• The de-husked seeds posses 5% yellow semi-drying oil, small amounts of glycosides, aucubin and considerable tannin and an active principal resmbling acetylcholine.