Botanical name – Plantago ovate
Family name – Plantaginaceae
English name – Psyllium Husk, Desert Indian wheat, Blond Psyllium
Common name – Isabgol, Indian Plantago
Synonyms – Isabgol, Sheetabeeja, Ashwagola, Ashwakarnabeeja, Eshadgolan
Habit – Annual herb
Useful Parts – Seed, husk
Common Use –
1- Isabgol has cooling, laxative, demulcent, expectorant, emollient and astringent properties. It is used commonly in chronic constipation, colitis, diarrhea, dysentery, ulcers, gastritis, disturbed lipid profile, and irritable bowel syndrome.
2- It helps to reduce the risk of heart attack by decreasing serum cholesterol through the proper excretion of bile acids. It is used as an expectorant and as a natural remedy for many gastrointestinal problems. Isabgol seeds are also used in catarrh, fever, burning sensations, skin problems, and in infections of the bladder, urethra, and kidney.
Indications – It is used as a paste for external application in erisepals, and as a poultice in painful oedematous conditions. It is used internally in thirst, diarrhoea, dysentery, bleeding hemorrhoids, constipation, Vata type of cough, fever, and in burning micturition.