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What is Indian psyllium?

Indianpsyllium is a plant whose seeds and seed husks are used to make medicine.

Indianpsyllium is used as a laxative and to soften the stool in people with hemorrhoids, anal fissures and after anal surgery. Indian psyllium is also used for diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and dysentery. Other uses include use for high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, weight control and serious intestinal disorders. Some people use poultices with Indian psyllium to treat scalds. In the food manufacturing industry, Indian psyllium is used as a thickener or stabilizer. In America, foods containing at least 1.7 grams of Indian psyllium per serving are allowed to state on the label that this product may reduce the risk of heart disease when used as part of a low-fat diet. However, while it is true that Indian psyllium can help lower cholesterol levels, there is no evidence to date that it can reduce the risk of developing heart disease.

How effective is Indian psyllium?

Indian psyllium is effective for treating constipation and softening stools. Some scientific evidence suggests that Indian psyllium on its own is as effective as preparations containing Indian psyllium and spice bark (cassia) or docusate sodium in treating constipation and improving stools. In addition to this, Indian psyllium is highly likely to be effective in lowering cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol. It has been shown that taking Indian psyllium can lower cholesterol levels in people with mild to moderately elevated cholesterol levels. Studies show that psyllium in the form of whole seeds or seed husks in amounts of 10 to 12 grams daily added to food or as a separate supplement in combination with a low-fat or high-fat diet can lower total cholesterol levels by 3 to 14% and LDL cholesterol levels by 5 to 10% after 7 or more weeks of intake. However, psyllium does not appear to lower other blood lipid levels. In children with high cholesterol, taking Indian psyllium can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 7 to 15% when added to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Interestingly, Indian psyllium does not appear to have a greater lowering effect on cholesterol levels when added to an even stricter low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Indian psyllium appears to be less effective in older people. There is evidence that it reduces LDL cholesterol levels in people older than 60 years to a lesser extent than in people younger than 60 years. There is also evidence that whole psyllium seeds may be more effective than psyllium husks in lowering cholesterol levels. Indian psyllium appears to be most effective when taken with meals. Breakfast cereals containing Indian psyllium can reduce total cholesterol levels by 5% and LDL cholesterol levels by 9%. There is evidence that the use of Indian psyllium can reduce the dosage of certain cholesterol-lowering medications if cholesterol levels are high. However, you should always consult your doctor before adjusting your medication.

Indian psyllium may be effective for the following applications:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome: although not all studies have come to this conclusion, there is evidence that the husks of Indian psyllium seeds can help with constipation and relieve abdominal pain and diarrhea. However, up to four weeks of treatment may be necessary for the best results.
  • Reducing blood sugar levels after eating in people suffering from type 1 and 2 diabetes: The maximum effect of Indian psyllium on blood sugar levels appears to occur when it is mixed with food or taken with food. In addition to lowering blood sugar levels, Indian psyllium husk also lowers cholesterol levels in diabetics with high cholesterol levels. Indian psyllium does not lower blood sugar levels after a meal in people who do not suffer from diabetes.
  • High blood pressure: Taking Indian psyllium with soy protein appears to help lower systolic blood pressure (upper level) by about 8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (lower level) by 2 mmHg in adult men and women.
  • Treatment of side effects of Orlistat (Alli): Taking Indian psyllium with each dose of orlistat appears to reduce orlistat-related side effects such as bloating, stomach rumbling, stomach cramps, and oily diarrhea without interfering with the weight-loss effects of orlistat.

In addition, Indian psyllium may be effective for diarrhea, preventing symptoms of ulcerative colitis and hemorrhoids. The use of Indian psyllium does not appear to reduce the risk of developing colorectal adenomas. In fact, there are indications that it may even increase this risk, which seems to be particularly the case in people who consume a lot of calcium in their diet. However, further research is needed to determine the exact relationship between Indian psyllium, calcium and colorectal adenomas. Furthermore, Indian psyllium appears to be ineffective in the treatment of serious kidney disease. There is insufficient scientific data on the effectiveness of Indian psyllium in preventing fat redistribution in HIV patients, treating certain types of cancer and treating certain skin conditions. Further scientific research is needed to determine the effectiveness of Indian psyllium.

How does Indian psyllium work?

The husks of the Indian psyllium seed absorb water and form a large mass. In people with constipation, this mass stimulates the movement of the intestines. In people with diarrhea, this mass can reduce intestinal movement.

Are there any safety concerns?

Indian psyllium is probably safe and harmless for most people as long as it is taken with sufficient liquid. For every 3 to 5 grams of psyllium husk and 7 grams of whole psyllium, you should drink at least 250 ml of liquid. In some people, Indian psyllium can cause side effects such as flatulence, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation and nausea. Indian psyllium has also been associated with reports of headaches, back pain, runny nose, cough and sinus problems. Some people are allergic to Indian psyllium and show symptoms such as a swollen nasal passage, sneezing, swollen eyes, hives and asthma. If symptoms such as reddening of the skin, severe itching, shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling of the face or body, tightness in the chest or throat or unconsciousness occur, seek medical help immediately.

Precautions and warnings:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Indian psyllium is likely to be safe and harmless when used correctly.

Diabetes: Indian psyllium may lower blood sugar levels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, so blood sugar levels in diabetics should be closely monitored while using psyllium. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted. However, some products containing Indian psyllium may also contain added sugar, which can increase blood sugar levels.

Intestinal disorders: One should not use Indian psyllium if one is prone to hard stools due to persistent constipation or suffers from narrowing of the intestinal tract, intestinal obstruction or conditions such as spastic bowel syndrome that can lead to intestinal obstruction.

Allergies: Some people have hyperallergic reactions to Indian psyllium. This is more likely in people who come into regular contact with Indian psyllium. These people should not use Indian psyllium.

Phenylketonuria: Some preparations containing Indian psyllium are sweetened with aspartame and should be avoided by people suffering from phenylketonuria.

Surgeries: Indian psyllium can affect blood sugar levels and make it difficult to control blood sugar during surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking Indian psyllium at least 2 weeks before planned operations. Swallowing difficulties: People who suffer from problems swallowing should avoid Indian psyllium, as they are at increased risk of gagging or choking.

Do they interact with medication?

Care should be taken when combining Indian psyllium with the following medications:

Carbamazepine / Lithium

Indian psyllium contains large amounts of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber can reduce the amount of carbamazepine or lithium absorbed by the body, thereby reducing the effectiveness of these drugs. To avoid this interaction, Indian psyllium should be taken at least one hour after taking these drugs.

Diabetes medication

Indian psyllium can lower blood sugar levels by reducing the absorption of dietary sugars. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking Indian psyllium in conjunction with diabetes medication may cause blood sugar levels to drop too much. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Care should be taken when combining with the following active ingredients:

Ethinyl estradiol

Ethinyl estradiol is a form of estrogen used in estrogen products and birth control pills. Some people are concerned that Indian psyllium may reduce the absorption of ethinyl estradiol. However, Indian psyllium does not appear to affect the absorption of ethinyl estradiol.

Are there any interactions with medicinal herbs and supplements?

Iron

The use of Indian psyllium in combination with iron supplements may reduce the amount of iron absorbed by the body. For this reason, iron supplements should be taken one hour before or four hours after Indian psyllium to prevent this interaction.

Riboflavin

Indian psyllium appears to slightly reduce the amount of riboflavin absorbed by the body, but this reduction is so small that it can probably be ignored.

Are there any interactions with food?

Fat

Indian psyllium can make fat digestion more difficult and increase the amount of fat excreted in the stool when taken in combination with dietary fats such as soybean oil or coconut oil.

Recommended intake

It is important to drink enough when taking Indian psyllium. If you drink too little, this can lead to gagging and choking or blockage of the oesophagus or intestines. You should therefore drink at least 250 ml of liquid per 5 grams of psyllium husk or per 7 grams of whole seeds. To reduce possible side effects of Indian psyllium, you should start with a lower dosage and gradually increase it if necessary.

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies:

  • As a laxative for constipation: 7 to 40 grams of Indian psyllium per day, divided into 2 to 4 doses.

  • For diarrhea: 7 to 18 grams of Indian psyllium divided into 2 to 3 doses or 5 grams of a combination of Indian psyllium, calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate in a weight ratio of 4:1:1.

  • To reduce diarrhea in tube-fed patients: up to 30 grams of Indian psyllium per day divided into single doses of 2.5 to 7.5 grams. Indian psyllium can be fed via the stomach tube - either with the nutrient formula or pure, followed by a gush of water. However, care should be taken here, as Indian psyllium could clump in the stomach tube.

  • For chronic diarrhea after gallbladder surgery: 6.5 grams of Indian psyllium three times a day.

  • For irritable bowel syndrome: 10 to 30 grams of Indian psyllium husk divided into two to three single doses per day. 10 grams of Indian psyllium husk twice a day with 15 mg propantheline three times a day has also been used.

  • To reduce the intestinal side effects of orlistat: 6 grams of Indian psyllium three times a day with each dose of orlistat.

  • To control the symptoms of ulcerative colitis: 10 grams of Indian psyllium husk twice daily.

  • To reduce bleeding from hemorrhoids: 3.5 grams of Indian psyllium husk twice daily for three months.

  • For high cholesterol:

  • For type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol: 15 grams of Indian psyllium per day divided into three single doses.

  • To reduce the glycemic index of the diet in patients with type 2 diabetes: 15 grams of Indian psyllium seeds per day divided into three individual doses, taken with carbohydrate-rich meals.

  • For high blood pressure: 15 grams of Indian psyllium daily for 8 weeks.

    • 3.4 grams of Indian psyllium husk three times a day or 5.1 grams twice a day. However, doses of up to 20.4 grams per day have also been tried.
    • Muesli with added Indian psyllium, which provides 12 grams of soluble fiber.
    • A mixture of 2.1 grams of Indian psyllium, 1.3 grams of pectin, 1.1 grams of guar gum and 0.5 grams of carob flour three times a day.
    • Cereal containing 5 to 10 grams of Indian psyllium was used in children with high cholesterol.

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