What is Psyllium Husk?
What is psyllium husk? How long has it been used by man? What are its uses? Is there anything that you must be aware of regarding how safe psyllium husks are? |
"Caution: Do not use psyllium if you have intestinal obstruction." - Linda B. White, M.D., author of The Herbal Drugstore |
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What is Psyllium Husk?
What is Psyllium Husk? Psyllium husk is the outer covering of the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata, one of the 200 species of the Plantago plant. The common name in India where it is native, is Isabgol and Ispaghula.
Psyllium is a soluble fiber which easily absorbs water to form a slippery gel-like bulk. This bulk gel-like fiber is able to absorb toxins and other substances. It moves through the colon like a brush, sweeping along waste matter as well.
To make it an effective and gentle brush, enough water must be taken along with the psyllium husks.
What is Psyllium? Psyllium husks have a high mucilage content. It is this characteristic that makes it useful in moving bowels easily, provided sufficient water is taken together with it. It creates bulk in the colon when it absorbs water.
As it is tasteless it can be taken with fruit juice which makes it a tasty supplement to take.
History of Psyllium Husk
It is a native plant of India and Pakistan. Also found commonly in the Mediterranean. Psyllium has been used for 5000 years in India, as part of Ayurveda and by many different cultures. It is used as traditional medicine as a dietary fiber for constipation.
So it is nothing new, but it was introduced to the United States about 70 years ago and is making leaps and bounds since.
In India it is used as a natural, cooling and gentle colon cleanser that is a popular constipation treatment as it effectively improves bowel movements.
What Are The Benefits of Psyllium
Here are some of the benefits of psyllium?Traditionally it was used for constipation. However it is also used for the following:
- Diarrhea
- Inflammation
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Weight Loss
Some Disadvantages of Psyllium Husks
You will not know what is psyllium really if you do not know it's side effects.The first time I took psyllium fiber, I did experience gas and bloating. I found that this was because beneficial bacteria was also eliminated by the bulk fiber. When I took probiotics with it, I did not have this problem, as probiotics replaced the beneficial intestinal bacteria.
It is the lack of these bacteria that cause gas and bloating. You can overcome the lack of bacteria by adding probiotic supplements.
The other problem I had with psyllium husk is the first time I took it and I did not drink enough water. It choked in the esophagus as it did not form a slippery enough gel.
There is no problem at all if the right amount of water is consumed with it and probiotics taken together with this dietary fiber.
For psyllium fiber to work effectively, it must absorb enough water to act like a soft and gentle brush.
Some may be allergic to psyllium, but you can do a test yourself by taking it and seeing what happens.
It should not be consumed if bowel surgery is done, until your physician gives you the green light.
If you are pregnant or if you have any other conditions and are not sure if you can take psyllium husks or not, please consult your physician.
As you know what is psyllium, you can avoid unwanted affects, by drinking a large amount of water with the psyllium husks so that it can do a proper job of eliminating.
You can also take probiotics together with it to prevent gas and bloating.
So, what is psyllium?
Psyllium husks are soluble fiber that has been used for thousands of years effectively for constipation. If you have no health problems, you can safely take psyllium with the right amount of water.
From What is Psyllium to Ultra Cleanse Guide (The Home Page) <
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How and when to take psyllium husks. Psyllium husks are a soluble fiber that increases bowel movements while absorbing toxins. You must know how to take and when to take psyllium fiber, so you can avoid the psyllium husk side effects.
What are psyllium husk side effects? Psyllium fiber is safe if you know how and when to take it. If you take it the proper way, I do not think that you will suffer any psyllium side effects.
