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Psyllium

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Psyllium Husks - 125g

£4.50

What is Psyllium?

Psyllium is derived from the seed of the Plantago ovata plant (botanical name: Plantago ovata). Psyllium husk is an excellent source of soluble dietary fibre. It is native to Europe, North Africa and Asia and has been used for thousands of years as a safe and effective bulk laxative, intestinal cleanser and for maintaining bowel function, high in both fibre and mucilage. Modern diets lack natural fibre as it is removed during the refining process; a lack of fibre in the diet can lead to many digestive disorders such as constipation and haemorrhoids and is often the underlying cause to many diseases. Psyllium Fibre is beneficial for both constipation and diarrhoea and can assist in maintaining a normal and healthy bowel function.

Psyllium husks are pure dietary fibres that are not digested in the small intestine, but are partially broken down in the colon. They act as a sponge, absorbing water and waste material in the bowels. This helps to clear toxins, preventing them from staying too long in the colon. Generally, the fibre in our diet comes from wheat bran, which can be irritating to the sensitive walls of the bowel. As it is non-abrasive, Psyllium is ideal for sensitive cell walls. Psyllium husks are very safe and are used by millions of people throughout the world as a natural alternative to some habit-forming laxatives.

What is Psyllium used for?

Constipation (natural laxative) and diarrhoea.
Help maintain stable body weight
Reduce appetite and assist in weight loss (and recommended in the Atkins diet for constipation)
Maintain and lower blood cholesterol levels
Maintain stable blood sugar levels
Cleanses bowel from toxic substances in purely mechanical way
Colon cleansing
Stabilise blood sugar levels

Interest in Psyllium has grown recently and is often used as an ingredient in high-fibre breakfast cereals. It is also excellent for those with an inadequate fibre intake resulting from modern western fast-food diets or those with a sedentary lifestyle and the elderly.

IBS: The soluble fibre in Psyllium seeds has been found to be helpful to those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by increasing the number of bowel movements per week, enlarging stool weight and speeding up transit times. Soluble fibre does not irritate or scratch the gastric lining compared to other forms of fibre and is therefore suitable for people with IBS or other inflamed digestive disorders.

Weight Loss: Due to its bulking action, Psyllium can also be used as part of a weight loss programme. If taken an hour before meals with plenty of water, it gives a feeling of fullness and therefore reduces appetite.

Constipation: Psyllium husk is a useful remedy for constipation because it can increase bowel movements per day, and decrease total gut transit time. To relieve constipation Psyllium should be taken with plenty of water, the fibre swells with water and increases the peristalsis action of the intestine promoting the flow of bowel matter

Diarrhoea: Pysllium fibre is an effective stool bulking agent in cases of diarrhoea. To relieve diarrhoea Psyllium should be taken with very little water, the fibre soaks up the excess fluid in the system. Fibre also helps to cleanse and detoxify heavy metals in the intestine, reducing the strain on the liver.

Dosage - Powder: one or two teaspoons in some water or juice daily, two to three times daily. Husks: One tablespoon mixed into muesli, cereals or yoghurt.

Side effects - none known at the recommended dosage. In large doses, Psyllium fibre may cause loose bowel movements, cramps, bloating and flatulence.