PSYLLIUM BLONDE ISPAGHULA

PSYLLIUM, BLONDE ISPAGHULA (Plantago ovata Forsk.) +++

Synonym :
P. ispaghula Roxb. ex Fleming.
WHO defines Semen Plantaginis as dried ripe seed of Plantago afra L., P. asiatica L., P. indica L., and/or P. ovata Forsk. It is interesting to see how Blumenthal et al. (1998) and Fleming et al. (1998) separate two species of psyllium, one of which Blumenthal et al. call blonde, P. ovata, and the other black, P. psyllium (P. afra). I doubt that many botanists can tell all the plantain species apart, even in the field with flowers, fruits, and leaves present. I maintain that unvouchered studies on these closely related species are almost meaningless and the medical literature built on a mountain of toothpicks. I have read that our local weed, the plantain, Plantago major, was at one time substituted, successfully for psyllium, but I doubt if the vouchers are there to back up that story either. I think that the husks and seeds of several species have been confused and share many similar activities.

Activities (Psyllium) :
Allergenic (1; APA); Antibacterial (f; WOI); Anticancer (1; HH2); Anticholinergic (1; PNC); Antipyretic (f; KAB); Astringent (f; DEP; KAB); Cardiodepressant (1; PNC); Demulcent (1; CAN; DEP; KAB; PED); Digestive (1; KAB); Diuretic (f; KAB; PED; WHO); Emollient (f; DEP); Flatugenic (1; CAN); Hepatoprotective (1; PNC); Hypertensive (1; KAP); Hypocholesterolemic (1; BGB; HH2; KAB; KOM; LAF); Hypoglycemic (1; BGB; HH2; PNC); Hypotensive (1; KAP; PNC); Hypouricemic (1; HH2); Laxative (2; BGB; DEP; KAP; PNC); Pectiniferous (2; JAD); Peristaltic (2; PIP; PNC; WHO).

Indications (Psyllium) :
Adenopathy (f; JLH; KAP; WHO); Atherosclerosis (f; SKY); Bacteria (f; WOI); Bleeding (1; KAP); Blennorrhea (f; KAP); Cacoethes (f; JLH); Cancer (1; HH2; JLH); Cancer, breast (f; JLH); Cancer, colon (f; JLH); Cancer, ear (f; JLH); Cancer, intestine, (f; JLH); Cancer, liver (f; JLH); Cancer, mouth (f; JLH); Cancer, neck (f; JLH); Cancer, parotid (f; JLH); Cancer, throat (f; JLH); Cancer, uterus (f; JLH); Candida (1; PED); Cardiopathy (2; BGB); Catarrh (f; DEP; KAP); Chelation, cyclamate (1; PNC); Cold (f; DEP); Colitis (2; BGB; KOM; PH2; SHT); Constipation (2; BGB; DEP; KAP; KOM; PH2; PNC; SHT; WHO); Cough (1; DEP; PED; PH2); Cramp (1; APA); Cystosis (f; CAN; DEP; KAP); Dermatosis (f; CAN); Diabetes (1; APA; HH2; PH2); Diarrhea (2; DEP; KOM; PH2; SKY; WHO); Diverticulosis (1; CAN; SHT); Duodenosis (f; PH2); Dysentery (1; CAN; DEP; KAB; PH2); Dyspepsia (f; DEP); Dysuria (f; DEP; KAP; PH2); Enterosis (1; APA; PH2); Fever (f; DEP; KAB); Furunculosis (f; CAN; PH2); Gallstone (preventive) (1; BGB; PH2); Gas (f; PH2); Gastrosis (f; PH2); Gonorrhea (f; DEP; KAP; PH2); Gout (1; HH2; KAP; PH2; WHO); Hemorrhoid (2; DEP; KAP; KOM; PH2; SKY); Hepatosis (f; JLH; PNC); High Blood Pressure (1; APA; KAP; PED; PNC); High Blood Sugar (1; PH2); High Cholesterol (2; BGB; HH2; KAB; KOM; LAF; PHR; PH2; SKY); High Triglycerides (1; PH2; SKY); Hyperglycemia (1; BGB; HH2; PNC); IBS (1; APA; KOM; PH2; SKY); Inflammation (f; DEP; KAP); Low Blood Pressure (1; KAP); Mastosis (f; JLH); Mucososis (2; DEP; KOM; PH2; PIP); Nephrosis (f; DEP; KAP; PH2); Obesity (1; PH2; SKY); Pain (1; PH2); Parotosis (f; JLH); Pharyngosis (2; KOM; PIP); Pregnancy (1; APA); Proctosis (1; APA); Psoriasis (f; SKY); Respirosis (2; BGB; KOM; PIP); Rheumatism (f; KAP; PH2); Sore (f; DEP); Stomatosis (f; JLH); Ulcer (f; PH2); Ulcerative Colitis (1; PH2); Urethrosis (f; KAP). Urogenitosis (f; PH2); Ulcer (1; PH2); UTI (f; APA); VD (f; KAP; PH2); Whitlow (f; JLH); Wound (f; DEP).

Dosages (Psyllium) :
2.5–10 g seed 2–3 ×/day (AHP); 5–10 g (3 g in children) seed 3 ×/day (CAN); 10–30 g seed (black psyllium) (KOM); 12–40 g seed (blonde psyllium) (KOM); 6–12 g powdered seed (KAP); 56–112 ml bruised seed decoction (KAP); 2–4 ml liquid seed extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 2 tsp (7.5 g) seed or 1 tsp husk/glass water (APA); 0.5 cup fresh seed or hull (PED); 1–2 tbsp dry seed or hull (PED); 1 tbsp dry seed or hull/cup of water (PED); 7.5 g seed or 5 g husks 1–2 ×/day (SKY); 3–5 g husks (CAN); 3–4 (565 mg) capsules 3 ×/day (JAD). Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Psyllium) — Class 2d. Take with at least 8 oz liquid. Take 1 hour after taking other drugs, which it might chelate. Contraindicated in bowel, esophageal, or GI obstruction (AHP; PIP). Bulking agents should not be taken by those with stenotic lesions of the GI tract. May lead to bowel obstruction if fluid intake is inadequate. (Take 150 ml water/5 g psyllium (KOM)). Do not take bulking agents when laying down or at bedtime. Do not use with antiperistaltics (e.g., such as loperamide, for example) (SHT). Physicians and other health care professionals are developing increasingly allergic reactions to psyllium powder. There are reports of a fatal bronchospasm after oral ingestion of ispaghula, identical with, or closely related to psyllium. Commission E reports contraindications for seed and seedshell: GI obstruction (ileus), and diabetes, which is hard to control (as insulin need may be reduced); adverse effects: allergic reactions; interactions: absorption of other drugs taken simultaneously. Other contraindications: intestinal obstruction (AEH). Based on early drafts, AHP repeats that psyllium is contraindicated in “diabetes mellitus which is difficult to regulate ...” There may be a need to reduce insulin dosage in insulin-dependent diabetes (KOM). If swallowed dry, psyllium can cause esophageal obstruction and flatulence (CAN). “Ispaghula husk depressed the growth of chickens by 15% when added to their diet at 2%.” By speeding transit time, bulk laxatives can lower absorption of some drugs. Wow! “Ispaghula may be used during pregnancy and lactation” (CAN). Alcoholic extract is hypotensive in small doses, hypertensive in large doses (KAP). Mucilage is hypoglycemic. Seeds of related species in China are used clinically to treat high blood pressure with ~50% success. “The FDA has proposed a rule that would amend the regulation permitting food labeling bearing a health claim on soluble fiber for a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) to include soluble fiber from psyllium husks (Plantago asiatica L.).” The maker of one popular cereal petitioned, citing data from 57 clinical studies (1965–1996, including 21 human studies) on psyllium’s ability to lower cholesterol and CHD risk. FASEB has determined that psyllium is safe at levels up to 25 g/day. FDA counters that high levels of psyllium husk “may enhance epithelial cell proliferation in the GI tract or cause allergies in some people” (Johnston, B.J.; 1997). FDA proposes health claim for psyllium. HerbalGram 41:28.). HH2 reports 8-week clinical trials on hyperuremia with 7 g psyllium husks a day for 8 weeks. Blood levels of urea were 19% lower after the 8 weeks (Based on Rampton and Barton, 1984. Clin. Nephrol. 121: 159.) (HH2).