Culpeper: ‘The mucilage of the seed, made with rose water, and a little sugar candy put thereto is very good in all hot agues and burning fevers, and other inflammations to cool the thirst ...’

The husk is used as a dietary fibre for relief of "symptoms constipation and mild diarrhea and occasionally as a food thickener. Research has shown lowering of blood cholesterol levels in people with elevated cholesterol,[1] and lowering of blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.[2] The plant from which the seeds are extracted tolerates dry and cool climates and is mainly cultivated in northern India". Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psyllium (2018). See for more details.

Medicinal uses Uses supported by clinical data A bulk-forming laxative used therapeutically for restoring and maintaining bowel regularity (15, 17–26). Treatment of chronic constipation, temporary constipation due to illness or pregnancy, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation related to duodenal ulcer or diverticulitis (18, 27). Also indicated for stool softening in the case of haemorrhoids, or after anorectal surgery (18, 20). As a dietary supplement in the management of hypercholesterolaemia, to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (28), and reduce the increase in blood sugar levels after eating (24). Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents Short-term use for the symptomatic treatment of diarrhoea of various etiologies (29–31). Uses described in traditional medicine As an expectorant, antitussive and diuretic. Treatment of rheumatism, gout, glandular swelling and bronchitis (5, 8). Contraindications Testa Plantaginis should not be used by patients with faecal impaction, undiagnosed abdominal symptoms, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting unless advised by their health-care provider. Testa Plantaginis is also contraindicated following any sudden change in bowel habits that persists for more than 2 weeks, in rectal bleeding or failure to defecate following use of a laxative, and in patients with constrictions of the gastrointestinal tract, potential or existing intestinal blockage, megacolon, diabetes mellitus that is diffi cult to regulate, or known hypersensitivity to the seed coats (14, 22).

Synonym of Plantago indica (10/12/20) (fda)

Notes: Dioscorides called it Psullion and recommended it for arthritis, oedema, headaches, erysipelas, and ‘They say that being brought into the house, green, doth not suffer fleas to breed’ which property is clearly the origin of the English name ‘Fleawort’.