Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husk is the thin, papery outer coating of the seeds of a plant called Plantago ovata. When it gets wet, it swells into a slippery gel, which is why it is widely used as a fiber supplement. The plant is a small, hardy herb grown mainly in India.

Scientific Classification & Quick Facts

Common name	Psyllium
Scientific name	Plantago ovata
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Tracheophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Lamiales
Family	Plantaginaceae
Genus	Plantago
Type	Annual herb with a taproot
Habitat	Sunny, well-drained sandy loam
Colours	Small white flowers
Height	30–46 cm
Special feature	Seeds form a gel-like mucilage when wet

What Is Psyllium?

“Psyllium” is a name used for a few plants in the plantain genus, Plantago, in the plantain family. This is not the banana-like plantain, but a group of mostly small, low-growing herbs, with about 200 species worldwide.

The seed coats of these plants contain lots of mucilage, a gel-forming soluble fiber. The seeds and especially the husks are harvested and sold to make fiber supplements and food products.

Names and History

There are two main kinds of psyllium in trade:

• Blond psyllium comes from Plantago ovata. It is also called ispaghula or isabgol, and in Pakistan ispaghol. The name comes from Persian words often translated as “horse’s ear,” because of the seed’s shape.
• Black or French psyllium comes from Plantago afra (also called Plantago psyllium or Plantago arenaria), which is grown in parts of southern Europe.

Psyllium has been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine in India and Iran, as well as in Europe. Today, India is by far the largest grower, especially in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan.

What the Plant Looks Like

Plantago ovata is an annual herb, meaning it grows, flowers, and makes seeds all in one year. It grows about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 46 cm) tall.

The leaves are long, narrow, and grass-like and grow in a rosette from the base. The plant has a main taproot with smaller fibrous roots. Many flower stalks rise from the base, each topped with a spike of tiny white flowers. After flowering, each little capsule holds a couple of small boat-shaped seeds covered by the precious husk.

Where It Grows

Psyllium plants grow wild and are cultivated in North Africa, southern Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia, especially India. They are grown from seed and need plenty of sunshine.

Growing Psyllium

Soil

Psyllium does best in light, sandy loam soil that drains well and gets full sun. It does not need very rich soil. In northern Gujarat, where much of the world’s crop is grown, the soils are often low in nitrogen and phosphorus, fairly high in potash, and slightly alkaline, with a pH of about 7.2 to 7.9.

Planting

Seeds are sown in the cool season once there is no risk of frost. In India, it is grown as a winter crop and sown in October or November, then harvested in spring.

Psyllium seedlings are small and cannot compete well with weeds. Farmers often water the field before sowing so weed seeds sprout, then lightly till the soil to kill them. Hand weeding once or twice early in the season also helps.

Climate

Psyllium is sensitive to the weather. It likes cool, dry, sunny conditions while growing and clear, dry weather as the seeds ripen. Rain, heavy dew, or cloudy, damp weather near harvest can make the seeds swell and fall out of their capsules, ruining the crop. Seeds sprout best at about 68 to 77°F (20 to 25°C).

Pests and Diseases

The main diseases of psyllium are downy mildew and wilt. Pests such as aphids and white grubs can also damage the crop.

Uses

Psyllium husk is mainly used as a bulk-forming fiber. When mixed with water, it swells into a gel. It is traditionally used to help with constipation and to support regular digestion, and it is found in many fiber supplements, some breakfast cereals, and gluten-free baking, where it helps bind dough.

In traditional medicine, psyllium has also been used for many other complaints, but these uses are not well proven. If you take psyllium, always mix it with plenty of water, because it can cause choking or blockages if taken dry. Children should only use it if a doctor recommends it, and anyone taking medicines should ask a doctor or pharmacist first, since psyllium can affect how some medicines are absorbed.

Psyllium FAQs

Related: Red Clover