An Overview
The psyllium seeds come from the big flower of the plant and the structure is very much similar to wheat. It has various beneficial effects including mild laxative, diuretic qualities, and cooling and thus, Isabgol finds its place as an important member of Ayurveda. It is easily available in many households in South Asia. Isabgol origins are from Persia and it is imported in India as well as other countries. Now, of course, it is cultivated in India, in the state of Gujarat, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh due to top Isabgol benefits and high usage. Its seeds are normally used for medicinal purposes as well as its husk.
According to Wikipedia, Isabgol is a portion of the seeds of the plant Plantago Ovata, (genus Plantago). They are hygroscopic, which makes it possible for them to grow and develop into mucilaginous. It belongs to Plantaginaceae family. This plant contains some soluble fiber and 30% to 70% are insoluble. It consists of the epidermis and collapsed adjacent layers that are removed and dried from the ripe seeds of Plantago ovata.
In Ayurveda, psyllium is considered to have pungent, astringent and cooling properties. It balances the three senses of humor Vata, Pitta, and Kapha; it reduces inflammation of the digestive tract and alleviates constipation and hemorrhoids. Isabgol is rich in fiber so it may initially cause gas.
Benefits of Isabgol
1. Isabgol Relieves Constipation:
Isabgol has a decent amount of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps to make it a good cure for constipation.
Isabgol has hygroscopic properties that help it to absorb water from the digestive tract and enhancing consistency of stools.
How To Take Isabgol for Getting Relief From Constipation
Mix two spoons of Isabgol in a glass of warm milk and consume it before you go to bed.
2. Loose Motions and Dysentery:
In order to get relief from this condition, one could take isabgol with curd. Curd or yogurt has got gut repairing properties that help in this problem if taken with isabgol and gives fast relief from Dysentery. Isabgol(soluble fiber) helps in adding fiber or bulk in the stools while curd adds microbial agents in the stomach which helps in healing the gut
3. Natural Remedy For Diarrhoea:
After seeing benefits for constipation, I wasn’t expecting that Isabgol will have some properties to relieve diarrhea too as these two are antonyms, but surprisingly Isabgol is beneficial in both the cases.
It is a home remedy that helps in both constipation and diarrhea. Curd provides stomach the proper quantity of probiotics that help to heal the infection and Isabgol helps hardens the stools to deal with diarrhea.
4. It helps in diarrhea:
Can you imagine a home remedy that can relieve constipation and diarrhea together, it sounds incredible but yes isabgol can help with this problem.
Isabgol, when consumed with curd, can effectively relieve stomach upset adding bulk to the stool.
5. Helps in Constipation:
Believe it or not but this is the only food that helps in both constipation and diarrhea. It is widely used in the Indian subcontinent for this condition due to its laxative properties and rich fiber content. Once in the digestive tract, it expands and it helps in bowel movement because of the gelatin base present in it. The fibers present in it have hygroscopic properties due to which it binds water molecules and helps in proper digestive functions in addition to the motility of the gut. All these make passing stools easy without any pain.
6. Isabgol Cleanses Your Colon:
Already mentioned above, isabgol has hygroscopic properties, which make it a good colon cleanser. As per Ayurveda, It moves by way of the colon and takes up the dangerous toxin, named as AMA in Ayurveda (poisonous waste products that usually coats the stomach walls).
7. Helps in Acidity:
Acidity is one of the major problems of recent times due to the wrong type of food we eat (fast food) and less sleep. Psyllium husks are one of the safe home remedies for this problem without any side effects. The husk helps protect from irritation by making a protective layer to the lining of the stomach. It also reduces the digestive acid by nullifying its effect. It also does help in reducing the occurrence of hyperacidity episodes by reducing the release of stomach acids. Today’s lifestyle and diet are often creating a problem of acidity and isabgol can be the best natural remedy for the condition. When consumed the husk creates a protective layer in the stomach and protects from irritation caused due to the acidity.
8. It Lowers Blood Sugar:
Besides many health benefits, Isabgol or so-called psyllium husk can also be a great remedy for lowering of sugar. The people with diabetes are enabling to produce enough insulin into the body, so they have to use insulin to keep blood glucose levels under control.
9. Improves Digestion:
Previously mentioned, Isabgol is rich in fiber that assists in the digestion of the meals that you eat. It further stimulates cleaning of the stomach contents by helping in the cleaning of stomach walls from excessive toxins, along with that it also, helps the stomach in the movement of food through the intestine.
10. Prevents Heart Diseases:
Due to enough fiber content in isabgol extra fats and oil present in food are absorbed by it and are converted in gel form. These gel with excess cholesterol are then eliminated through stools with other wastes. In addition to the elimination of extra fats, it also reduces the absorption of fats in the intestinal walls by making a thin layer that sticks to the walls. The release of cholesterol is reduced in the arteries which in turn prevents coronary artery disease. Isabgol is rich in fiber which helps for reducing cholesterol levels, which can ultimately, turn protective to your heart. As it is high in fiber and low in fat the doctors recommend it when it comes to preventing heart disease. It forms a thin layer in your intestinal walls thus prevents the absorption of cholesterol from the foods you eat. It effectively reduces the serum cholesterol levels in the blood.
11. It helps to ease piles:
Since the fibers in isabgol are both insoluble and soluble in nature, it is best and beneficial for those who suffer from painful conditions such as piles and hemorrhoids. It not only helps to clean the intestines effectively but also softens the stool by absorbing water from surrounding parts of the intestine causing the passage of stool soft and free of pain.
Since the fibers in isabgol are both insoluble and soluble in nature, it is best and beneficial for those who suffer from painful conditions such as piles and hemorrhoids. It not only helps to clean the intestines effectively but also softens the stool by absorbing water from surrounding parts of the intestine causing the passage of stool soft and free of pain.
Hope this Symptoms and cure article will be helpful to all. Do not forget to share your valuable suggestions if any.