Isabgol is an oily gluey herb with an astringent, and sweet taste, and it provides a cooling effect to the body. Isabgol is also known as Psyllium Husk that is obtained from the seeds of the plant.
It is scientifically known as Plantago Ovata that contains many medicinal properties. Isabgol is a powerful herb that serves as a natural laxative and improves your digestive health.
It is effective in treating constipation. Isabgol is an annual herb that grows up to 40 cm in height. It is native to India and Mediterranean countries.
This plant contains linear leaves, various small flowers, and the seeds are enclosed in capsules, and they open when it matures. India produces and exports this herb widely.
Metamucil is one of the ingredients, and it is the main element used in making dietary supplements that helps to relieve constipation.
It is also one of the ingredients used to make breakfast that helps to reduce cholesterol levels and improve gut health. Ayurvedic medicines strongly recommend this powerful herb because it is a natural coolant and contains diuretic and laxative properties.
It provides various health benefits. Isabgol contains rich amounts of fiber that varies from 75 to 80%. One teaspoon of Isabgol provides you three gms of fiber.
It contains gentle laxative action that depends on the quantity of fiber, so it is not a true purgative. The flour of Isabgol Husk is combined with multiple grain flour to improve the nutritive value and the fiber content of grain flours.
Isabgol Husk absorbs 14 times more than its weight, and Isabgol seeds absorb three times more water than its weight. Thus, consume Isabgol Husk with a high amount of water or liquid that will help to prevent instant side effects like choking.
Common Names of Isabgol:
Botanical Name: Plantago Ovata
English Name: Psyllium
Tamil Name: Iskolvirain
Malayalam Name: Karkalasaringi
Telugu Name: Ishagula
Kannada Name: Isofgolu
Hindi Name: Isabgul
Marathi Name: Isabgol
Sanskrit Name: Ashvagola, Ashwakarna
Gujarati Name: Isafghol
Medicinal Properties of Isabgol
- Antacid
- Antidiarrheal
- Diuretic
- Appetite Suppressant
- Gentle bulking-forming laxative
- Intestinal detox
- Hydrophilic
- Emollient
Health Benefits & Medicinal Uses of Isabgol
Isabgol contains various health benefits and medicinal uses. It is widely used in Ayurveda and folk medicine.
Treats Constipation
Isabgol is an effective remedy for treating constipation. It serves as a bulk-forming natural laxative. Isabgol contains rich amounts of soluble and insoluble fiber that adds bulk to stools and makes constipation easy.
Isabgol contains a gelatinous substance that forms like a gel when soaked in the water. The gel contains laxative properties that absorb harmful toxins and bacteria in the intestine.
Take a spoon of Isabgol and mix them in warm water or milk and drink it on an empty stomach for some weeks. It cleanses, lubricates the intestines and removes sticky stools from intestinal walls that help in treating constipation.
When to Take Psyllium Husk in Constipation
The fiber-rich foods such as vegetables, fruits, etc. are the best treatment for constipation. When you can’t eat sufficient amounts of vegetables or fruits, Isabgol is the best recommendation for getting relief from constipation.
Treats Diabetes
Isabgol contains rich amounts of fiber, so it provides effective treatment for diabetes. The high amounts of fiber help to decrease blood sugar levels in the body.
High fiber foods always contain a low glycemic index that helps to improve the levels of plasma glucose.
Isabgol offers a high quality of carbohydrates, so the people who have diabetes can add Isabgol in their regular foods such as cereal flours. Therefore, the high-quality carbohydrates and high fiber food help to decrease the chances of diabetes.
Improves Gut Health
Isabgol is a powerful detoxifier that effectively cleanses the gastrointestinal wall and removes all waste toxins. By cleansing the passage, it promotes the healthy functioning of the digestive tract and allows the food to pass through the intestinal tract.
The regular consumption of Isabgol works as a digestive stimulant and provides complete relief from acidity, stomach ulcers, colitis, and other digestive disorders.
Reduces Weight
Isabgol or Psyllium Husk is a very popular remedy for people with obesity because it acts as an appetite suppressant and absorbs 14 times more water than its weight.
However, it provides slight effects on appetite. Some people did not consider Isabgol as a perfect treatment for obesity, but it helps compensate for the requirement of dietary fiber in obese people.
Working of Psyllium Husk (Isabgol) in obesity
Isabgol absorbs 14 times more water to its weight that helps to decrease appetite and makes the abdomen feel full. The high dose of Isabgol serves as an appetite suppressant.
Isabgol also increases the excretion of fecal fat. There is a correlation between metabolic syndrome and body weight control. Many obese people don’t have enough fiber-rich.
Rich-fiber foods play a major role in managing metabolic syndrome. Isabgol is one of the richest sources of soluble and insoluble fiber that helps to enhance the lipid profile and glucose homeostasis and also helps to reduce body weight.
Verdict
Ayurveda stated that Isabgol also contains the opposite effect that may promote weight gain. Without any doubt, Isabgol controls appetite, but it appears in high dosage.
It strengthens your body, and it is very effective for people who have weakness and debility in low dosage. According to the Ayurvedic properties of Isabgol, it increases Kapha humor and pacifies Pitta and Vata, so it increases your weight in this dosage.
The main thing is that Isabgol does not directly influence weight gain or weight loss. It promotes weight gain in weak and thin people, but the dosage should be less than ten grams per day, and enough food is also required. In high dosage, it can stimulate weight loss due to the appetite suppressant action.
Usage of Isabgol for Weight loss
In a modern perspective, it can be used as a dietary fiber for obese people. For dietary fiber supplements, take enough quantity up to 30 gms per day with water.
Treats Acidity & Heartburn
In Ayurveda, Isabgol is an effective remedy for treating heartburn and acidity. Isabgol lubricates the membranous walls when passed via the food pipe and stomach, which helps to decrease the irritation of excessive acid.
By absorbing the acid, it eliminates the excess acid from the stomach to the intestines. Therefore, it helps to decrease the symptoms of heartburn and acidity due to these mechanisms.
Cures Dry Cough with Scratchy Throat
The combination of Isabgol and sugar is an effective natural remedy for treating dry cough with throat irritation. The Isabgol pudding is more effective for decreasing scratchy throat and reducing the severity of the dry cough.
Isabgol lubricates the irritated throat, and it contains an emollient that provides instant relief from throat irritation.
Treat Diarrhoea & Dysentery
Isabgol absorbs more water from the digestive tract and produces bulk that makes it stool firmer. It cleanses the intestines and helps to remove infection-causing microbes from the alimentary canal and increases the speed of the recovery process.
Isabgol provides effective treatment for mild to moderate diarrhea. It also provides adjuvant treatment for severe diarrhea and dysentery.
Severe Infectious Diarrhea
Take one teaspoon of Isabgol with one teaspoon of Misri powder and mix them in 50 ml of water. Drink this thrice per day that helps to decrease the count of watery stools in severe infectious diarrhea.
Chronic or Recurring Diarrhea
| Sat Isabgol | 1 tsp |
| Kutaj (Holarrhena Antidysenterica) bark powder | 1 gram |
| Saunf (Fennel seeds) powder | 1 gram |
| Dried Ginger powder | 500 mg |
This mixture is an effective remedy for chronic diarrhea. Take this mixture two times per day for at least 15 to 30 days.
Treats Chronic Arsenic Toxicity
Isabgol is a natural cleanser that helps to decrease chronic toxicity that occurs due to the consumption of arsenic compounds. Many folk medicines contain arsenic that mainly helps to treat skin diseases.
Isabgol also acts as an arsenic antagonist that helps to decrease the symptoms of chronic arsenic poisoning and improves the arsenic compounds excretion from your body.
Treats High Cholesterol & Dyslipidemia
Isabgol binds to bile acids and fat that helps to eliminate cholesterol from your body. Thus, consume five gms of Isabgol to reduce high cholesterol and consume this regularly for 3 to 6 months to get better results in high cholesterol.
It will also be an effective remedy for people who suffer from constipation. The combination of cinnamon and Isabgol is an effective remedy for treating dyslipidemia, and the Isabgol provides positive results in triglyceride levels, but cinnamon helps to decrease both cholesterol and triglyceride.
This combination also helps to decrease the atherogenic index of plasma and prevents atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart diseases.
Leucorrhea (Discharge)
Many folk practitioners generally use Isabgol pudding to decrease leucorrhea and white discharge. Isabgol may stop the process of Yeast infections and other microbes.
Moreover, it contains anti-inflammatory action that helps to decrease the inflammation of soft tissues, like the inner walls of private organs, and decreases discharges.
Regulates Blood Sugar
A fiber-rich food can help to delay the time of gastric emptying, slow down glucose absorption, and manage blood glucose levels.
The benefits of fiber and natural gelatin substance of Isabgol effectively decrease the blood sugar spike and control diabetes.
Relieves Skin Dryness
Isabgol contains emollient action on the skin and inner membranes of the organs in your body. The fine powder of Isabgol is used for massaging in skin dryness. By massaging, you can decrease the dryness, and it increases the glow of your skin.
Nocturnal Emission
Nocturnal Emission is a common problem in men, but the frequency can vary from one to another. It may occur due to emotional upset and constipation but also other causes such as hyper-excitement.
Isabgol effectively decreases the frequency of nocturnal emission, but it is still unknown how it works. Isabgol contains a cooling capacity that decreases excitement in Ayurveda. Moreover, it also relieves constipation and helps in nocturnal emission.
Usage
To get relief from Nocturnal Emission, you can take a mixture of Isabgol and Misri with an equal amount. Consume this mixture with lukewarm milk before sleeping. Isabgol pudding also can help in this problem.
Lowers High Blood Pressure
High cholesterol is combined with high blood pressure. High cholesterol may cause plaque formation in blood vessels with calcium.
It causes the narrowing and hardening of the blood vessels. It provides extra stress on the heart to pump the blood harder via the arteries and cause an elevation in blood pressure.
Ayurvedic benefits of Isabgol
Constipation
Isabgol helps in constipation because it is enriched with fiber, and it adds bulk to stool with its Guru guna(heavy quality). Rachana (laxative property) triggers intestinal contractions and bowel movements, thus helpful in the proper excretion process.
For Piles
Isabgol helps to cure hemorrhoids (piles) with its Sita (cold) and Guru (heavy) properties. The site virya (cold potency) helps to prevent inflammation of the intestine.
For High cholesterol
Isabgol aids in reducing elevated cholesterol levels with its fiber content and Guru (heavy) property. It removes the Ama (toxins) present in the body and thus helps in controlling high cholesterol levels.
Obesity
Isabgol is a rich source of fiber and possesses Guru properties that aid in cleaning the colon and removing Ama (toxins) from the body. This plays a significant role in obesity.
Diarrhea
Isabgol treats diarrhea by absorbing water from the digestive tract, forming bulk, and making the stool thick with its Guru guna(heavy quality).
Irritable bowel syndrome
Isabgol is useful in Irritable bowel syndrome by adding volume to the stool, and also absorbing extra water, thus making easy passage of stool with its Guru guna. It also provides a protective layer lining on the stomach’s inner wall, which reduces hyperacidity with Sita (cold) nature. The balancing Vata and Pitta property of Isabgol cures inflammatory bowel disease.
Diabetes mellitus
Isabgol manages diabetes by slowing down the breakdown and absorption process of glucose with its Guru property. It also improves the body’s metabolism by removing Ama (toxic) present in the body due to improper digestion.
Acne and Pimples
According to Ayurveda, Kapha dominance leads to increased sebum production and thus results in clogged pores (formation of both white and blackheads). Pitta dominant may result in red bumps and inflammation with pus. Here Applying Isabgol aids in controlling excessive sebum production and removes clogging. Further, it also reduces inflammation and provides soothing effects with Sita (cold) properties.
How to use
- Soak 1-2 teaspoons of Isabgol husk in water.
- Wait for some time to get a semi-solid mixture.
- Mix them well and make it a paste with Aloe vera gel and almond oil.
- Apply it over the face and leave it for 20-30 minutes.
- Then wash it. Do it two times a week.
Nutritional Values of Isabgol
The various nutritional contents and their values in 100 grams of Isabgol.
| NUTRIENT | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Calories | 375 |
| Total Fat | 6.25 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Potassium | 262 mg |
| Iron | 50 mg |
| Magnesium | 183 mg |
| Calcium | 1.8 mg |
| Sodium | 288 mg |
| Sugars | 30 mg |
| Saturated | 2.5 g |
Dosage of Isabgol
The general dosage of Isabgol is as follows
| Minimum Effective Dosage | 5 grams |
| Moderate dosage (Adults) | 10 to 30 grams |
| Moderate dosage (Children) | 5 to 15 grams |
| Maximum Possible Dosage | 40 grams |
How to take
- Take 1-2 teaspoons of Isabgol
- Mix Isabgol in a glass of warm water
- Drink it immediately before it swells.
Isabgol Pudding
The ingredients to make Isabgol pudding are as follows
| Psyllium Husk | 10 grams |
| Water | 50 ml |
| Milk | 200 ml |
| Sugar | 1 to 2 tsp |
Preparation Method
- Soak Isabgol in 50 ml water for 30 minutes
- Take a glass of hot milk with sugar
- Add Isabgol with water in milk and stir the mixture well
- Isabgol pudding is ready
- Eat this Isabgol pudding once at night just before sleeping.
To get complete relief from the problem, consume this pudding for at least one month.
Side Effects of Isabgol
Isabgol is safe to use in many people with the proper dosage, but the continuous use of Isabgol may cause unwanted side effects. According to Ayurveda, Isabgol produces heaviness in your body because of its GURU quality. Thus, it increases Kapha humor that may cause the following side effects.
- Abdominal fullness
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Chest tightness
- Feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
- Itching
- Minor bloating
When you take less than 25 gms of Isabgol, it should take at least 240 ml of water. If the dosage is increased to 30 gms, you should take 500 ml of water to decrease unwanted effects.
If you take Isabgol with less water or other liquid, it may immediately cause the following side effects.
- Vomiting
- Choking
- Difficulty in breathing
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in swallowing
Isabgol Allergy
Isabgol allergy is very rare to occur, and if it occurs, it appears in the following symptoms.
- Itching
- Breathing difficulty
- Swelling on face
- Skin Rashes
- Severe dizziness
- Swelling of the tongue or throat
Precautions
- Don’t eat any food that produces intestinal gas.
- The excessive use of Isabgol may cause loss of appetite, so consume it with the limit.
- Don’t consume fine powder or capsules of Isabgol because that doesn’t provide similar benefits and cause harm to your intestines. The fine powder of Isabgol is used in local applications such as skin diseases and skin dryness.
Frequently asked question
Q1. What are the benefits of using Isabgol for skin?
Isabgol has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help to reduce swelling and also prevent cell damage. Isabgol also aids in tissue regeneration, heals wounds and injuries without any scars.
According to Ayurveda, skin problems occur due to an imbalanced Pitta dosha. Here, Isabgol manages skin inflammation and heals wounds quickly with its Pitta calming and Sita (cold) properties. It also reduces dryness and enhances glowing skin with its Snigdha guna (oily property).
Q2. Can I take Isabgol with lemon?
Yup. Isabgol can be taken along with lemon. It will maintain your bowel movements and also help in weight loss by reducing body fats.
Q3. When should I take Isabgol husk? Before or after a meal?
Better take Isabgol after a night meal because it corrects constipation with its mild laxative property.
Q4. What are the benefits of consuming Isabgol with milk?
Consuming Isabgol with milk will treat weak digestion. It also improves bowel movement and gives relief from constipation, acidity, and bleeding piles.
Conclusion
Isabgol is a powerful natural laxative that has been used since ancient times to treat diarrhea, constipation, controls diabetes, and blood pressure. It is a powerhouse of fiber, so you can add this to your meal to get more benefits.
