Description
Psyllium seed husks also known as ispaghula, Isabgol, or simply as Psyllium, are portions of the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata, (genus Plantago), a native of India and Pakistan. They are soluble in water, expanding and becoming mucilaginous when wet. Psyllium Husk is essentially made up of complex carbohydrates, so is basically a fiber. It is completely a natural product because Psyllium Husk is extracted from Psyllium, a plant. The husk is the coating around the seed of the Psyllium plant. Psyllium seeds are used for other ailments. Psyllium husks are taken and inserted inside capsules, so that they can taken as supplements. Or they can be converted into powder. On the seeds we see a white ash like thing, which is called seed husk. When this husk comes in contact with water it becomes a sticky substance, which is odorless and tasteless.
Psyllium seed husks are indigestible in human beings and are often used as a source of dietary fiber. They are used to relieve constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticular disease, and diarrhea. They are also used as a regular dietary supplement to improve and maintain regular GI transit. The inert bulk of the husks help provide a constant volume of solid material irrespective of other aspects of the diet or any disease condition of the gut. Some recent research is also showing them to be promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes. Psyllium Husks have anti-inflammatory properties, and can be beneficial for diabetes. It can improve lipid control in type 2 diabetes, maintains healthy cholesterol levels, maintains healthy blood pressure levels, treat IBS and hemorrhoids and also treat yeast infections. Another benefit is in preventing constipation and promoting colon health.
It is used in -gluten-free baking, where ground Psyllium seed husks bind moisture and help make the bread less crumbly.
