Organic psyllium powder

An excellent natural source of fibre!

Psyllium is a plant known for being one of the gentlest natural laxatives. The husks of its seeds protect intestinal mucosa and facilitate natural bowel elimination without side effects or weakening the digestive system. They also regulate blood glucose and cholesterol levels.

POWDER brand psyllium seed husks are organically grown. Practical and safe for long-term use, the powder’s protective properties are gentle on your body and enhance intestinal well-being.

DESCRIPTION

Psyllium, or ispaghula (Plantago ovata Forssk.), is an herbaceous plant from the Plantaginaceae family. It can grow up to 30-45 cm tall. Highly branched, its leaves are lanceolate and lobed, and have small white flowers. Its seeds are hard, boat-shaped, up to 8 mm long, with a pinkish dark brown colour and a darker central spot (1, 2).

Psyllium is native to the Mediterranean. It is cultivated as widely as Spain, India and the Persian Gulf (1, 2). Several European countries currently produce it, although India dominates the global market in the production and export of psyllium.

In India, psyllium is known as Isabgol, from the Persian words isap and ghol meaning ‘horse ear’, referring to the shape of the seed (2).

In 3000 BC, it was mentioned for the first time in the famous book on agriculture and medicinal plants, Shen Nung’s Pen T’sao (3). It has been used as an ingredient in refreshing beverages and bread since ancient times, as a thickener in chocolates and jams, and as a stabiliser in ice cream and yoghurts (3). Ayurvedic medicine also prescribes it for diarrhoea, constipation, haemorrhoids and urinary tract problems (4).

COMPOSITION AND BENEFITS

Psyllium seeds consist of polysaccharides: 35% soluble fibre, such as mucilage (arabinoxylans), and 65% insoluble polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) (1, 5, 6, 7).  

The highest concentration of mucilage is found in the seed’s husk. When degraded by part of the intestinal microbiota, they exert a protective effect on the intestinal mucosa (7).  

Research carried out on psyllium has demonstrated its laxative action.

Due to the mucilage and cellulose, psyllium tends to absorb its volume in water and forms a gelatinous mass, stimulating the reflex contractions of the intestinal walls, promoting bowel elimination (8, 9).

The mucilage also creates a coating that protects the intestine, relieving pain and bleeding in cases of haemorrhoids (8).

Studies have found that it reduces the risk of colon cancer (6) and that it is as effective as the drug Mesalamine, a drug used in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) (10).

Psyllium has a homeostatic effect (ability to maintain an internal condition stable): it regulates blood cholesterol and glucose levels. In a study of children and adolescents, psyllium supplementation not only helped to lower cholesterol and glucose levels, but also regulated triglycerides, LDLs and HDLs (11).

USE, DIRECTIONS

Mix 7g of powder (1 measuring spoon) with 250 ml of water or juice.

The EMA indicates that psyllium husk should be taken with plenty of liquid and during the day, at least half an hour or one hour before or after taking other medicines, and never before bedtime.