Plantago ovata or P. ispaghula, P. psyllium.N.O. Plantagineae.Synonym: Flea Seed, Fleawort.Features ? Over one hundred species of this genus of stemless, herbaceous plants are known to botanists. The seeds of two of these are used in herbal medicine.Plantago ispaghula, or Light Indian Psyllium, is cultivated in India. Seeds are boat- shaped, with one end sharper than the other, and grey-brown in colour, A small brown spot is a feature of the convex side. Transparent mucilage surrounds the seeds when kept in water.Plantago psyllium, which yields the so-called Dark Brilliant Indian Psyllium seeds, is indigenous to many parts of Southern Europe and Northern Africa, and is largely cultivated in France and Spain. These seeds are the most highly esteemed for therapeutic purposes, although they do not contain so much mucilage as the Ispaghula. The "English Golden" variety is even less mucilaginous, and is used mainly for feeding birds.Psyllium seeds are tasteless and odourless, and their peculiar action on the intestines renders them of particular value in sluggishness and atony of this organ. Swelling into a demulcent, jelly-like mass, which gently lubricates and stimulates the bowels, the seeds do not gripe, and their action is certain. Probably nothing better than Psyllium seeds can be given to most people for constipation, and they are eminently suited to children. The adult dose varies between two and four teaspoonfuls after meals, children proportionately with their age.In tropical countries the seeds are helpful in the treatment of dysentery.
You’ll definitely enjoy a cup of psyllium tea! It is a fiber-full drink which will bring you many health benefits. Find out more about psyllium tea.
About Psyllium Tea
Psyllium tea is made from the seeds of the psyllium plant. The plant, also known as Isphangula, grows in many European countries, as well as in India.
Psyllium is an herbal plant with a short stem. Its leaves are arranged alternatively, while the flowers are white, erect and ovoid; they can also have cylindrical spikes, giving them a stranger shape. The plant has an ovate fruit, with a thin husk, either white-colored or semi-transparent; the seeds, used to make psylliumtea, are found inside it.
How to prepare Psyllium Tea
The seeds are mostly used to prepare psyllium tea, but the husks can be used, as well. Add 1-2 teaspoons to a cup of freshly boiled water, cover and let it steep for 5-7 minutes. Strain to remove the herbs and your cup of tea is ready!
You can also drink it cold. You can either let the psyllium tea cool down, or you can add the seeds and husks to a glass of cold water.
Psyllium Tea Benefits
Psyllium tea gets many active constituents from the seeds and husks of the plant. The most important one is fiber. It also contains a large amount of hemicellulose.
Psyllium tea works as a great natural laxative. Because of this, it can be used in the treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel syndrome, and other similar health problems. They also help your digestive system by preventing disorders such as chronic constipation, mild diarrhea, or hemorrhoids.
Drinking this tea will help reduce the bad LDL cholesterol levels in your blood, which helps you lose weight. This reduces the risks of having cardiovascular problems, for example heart diseases or strokes. It also lowers blood sugar levels and insulin levels, which helps you if you’ve got diabetes.
Other health benefits include preventing colon cancer, as well treating urethritis, hypertension, high blood pressure, and minor infections (intestinal infections, or those of the urinary system).
Psyllium Tea Side Effects
You might get an allergic reaction after drinking psyllium tea. Symptoms include difficulty in breathing, as well as swelling of lips, tongue and mouth. Make sure you stop drinking psyllium tea and contact your doctor if you get any of these symptoms.
If you drink too much tea, you might feel nauseous, or as if you’ve got a bloating stomach. An overdose can lead to obstruction in the colon and severe constipation. Also, in the case of people who have diabetes, if too much is drunk before, after or during a meal, it can cause hypoglycemia.
Psyllium tea, just like many other herbal teas, has plenty of important health benefits. It helps you stay healthy, especially thanks to the large contents of fibers. Just be careful with the few side effects.... drink more psyllium tea
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