Fleawort

Plantago psyllium

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Basic Information

Family: Plantaginaceae

Genus: plantago

Plant ID (slug): plantago-psyllium

Numeric ID: 25797

USDA Hardiness: Coming soon

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Plantago psyllium is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Distribution

Europe - Mediterranean to E. Asia - India.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked[105]. Seed - sprouted and eaten in salads[183]. Due to their mucilaginous quality, the sprouts are usually grown on clay or other porous materials[183].

Medicinal Uses

Dysentery Psyllium has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years in Western herbal medicine[254]. Both the dried seeds and the seed husks are demulcent, emollient and laxative[4, 9, 46, 254]. The seeds have a mucilaginous coat and swell to several times their volume when in water[9]. The seeds and the husks contain high levels of fibre, they expand and become highly gelatinous when soaked in water. By maintaining a high water content within the large bowel they increase the bulk of the stool, easing its passage[254]. They are used as a demulcent and as a bulk laxative in the treatment of constipation, dysentery and other intestinal complaints, having a soothing and regulatory effect upon the system[4, 9]. Their regulatory effect on the digestive system means that they can also be used in the treatment of diarrhoea and by helping to soften the stool they reduce the irritation of haemorrhoids[254]. The jelly-like mucilage produced when psyllium is soaked in water has the ability to absorb toxins within the large bowel. Thus it helps to remove toxins from the body and can be used to reduce auto-toxicity[254]. The macerated and decocted seeds yield a rich mucilage that is used in relieving skin irritations and reddened eyelids[7].