Psyllium: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Psyllium (Plantago psyllium), known in Sanskrit as Snigdhajira, is perhaps the best lubricating bulk laxative available. Its rasa is sweet and astringent, with cooling virya and sweet vipaka. It pacifies Pitta and Vata while increasing Kapha and Ama.

The seeds swell with mucilage in the colon, which absorbs bacteria and toxins, soothes inflamed mucous membranes, and moistens dryness. A typical dose ranges from one teaspoon to one and a half ounces of seeds in water depending on the severity of the condition (seeds should not be steeped). While primarily known as a laxative, psyllium also has demulcent, emollient, astringent, and expectorant actions.

Psyllium acts on plasma and blood tissues through the excretory and digestive systems. It is indicated for chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea and dysentery, colitis, catarrh, urethritis, cystitis, gastritis, and ulcers. However, it may create congestion and food stagnation in the GI tract, so it should be used with awareness in Kapha conditions. Typical preparations include infusion, powder (500 mg to 2 g), and paste.

• Snigdha: Demulcent
• Virecana: Mild laxative
• Vran.aghna: Alleviates ulcers
• Ka-sahara: Alleviates vata-type of cough
• Biomedical: Bulk laxative, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, expectorant

Contraindications: Low digestive fire. Prolonged; use reduces fertility

Safety: It may slow the absorption of other medication. It is best taken 1 or 2 hours after prescribed allopathic or other herbal medication. It is also wise to ensure cardiac glycoside, carbamazepine and lithium salts are taken at as great an interval as possible from psyllium to ensure clinical doses are received. It may be necessary to reduce diabetic medication (WHO 1999, Harkness & Bratman 2003).

Dosage: 5–10g per day taken with plenty of liquid to prevent intestinal obstruction. to an aggravation of kapha and an accumulation of a-ma. Q Similar usage to Plantago psyllium and P. indica (the darker brown and black varieties) but P. ovata is more mucilaginous.

Combinations:

• Triphala, rhubarb for constipation.
• Triphala, kutki for diarrhoea. Licorice for dry coughs.