Plantain Seed:Plantain Seed is the dried ripe seed of Plantago asiatica L. or Plantago depressa Willd.(Fam. Plantaginaceae).Ellipsoid, irregularly oblong or triangular oblong, slightly flattened, about 2 mm long, 1 mm wide. Externally yellowish-brown to dark brown, with fine wrinkles, and a grayish-white concave pointed hilm on one side. Texture hard. Odour, slight; taste, weak.The seeds, gathered in summer or autumn when they are ripe, are dry-fried or fried with salt water.
Plantain has been effectively used as an astringent, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, and hemostatic. Common plantain can be used the same way as lance-leaf plantain.
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Basic Instruction
Plantago asiatica L.Uses Plantain seed and Plantain Seed Extract.
Basic Botanical Data of Plantain Seed(Semen plantaginis):Semen plantaginis Botanical Source:Plantago asiatica L.
Botanical Name:1. Plantago asiatice L.; 2.Plantago depressa willd.
Botanical Synoms:broad-leaved plantain,Ribwort,Snakeweed,Dooryard plantain, greater plantain, round-leaved plantain, way bread, and white man's foot.
Pharmaceutical Name:Semen plantaginis
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The seeds, gathered in summer or autumn when they are ripe, are dry-fried or fried with salt water.
Common Names:Spanish psyllium, French psyllium, blond plantago, Indian plantago, psyllium seed.
Flea seed, and black psyllium,Plantain seed(Cheqianzi).Plantain herb,Che Qian Zi,Arnoglossa,Bazir Dam Bil.
Broadleaf Plantain,Buyuk Sinirliot,Common Or Great Plantain,Common Plantain,Daum Sejumbok,Ekur Anjing.
Gechi Qulaghi,Great Plantain,Grote Weegbree,Lisan Al Hamal,Llanten,Llanten Mayor,Meloh Kiloh.
Oba-Ko,Otot Ototan,Plantain,Sangka Buwah,Sangkubah,Sangkuwah.Sei Ohr Re,Sembung Otot,Suri Pandak.
Tarkuz,Thickleaf Plantain,Wegerlich.
Also known as broad-leaved Plantain or Dooryard Plantain or Greater Plantain or Round-leaved Plantain or Way Bread or White Man's Foot
Synonym: plantago seed, plantain seed,P. asiatica auct. non,P. halophila,P. major ssp. intermedia.
P. major var. asiatica,P. major var. asiatica auct. non,P. major var. intermedia,P. major var. pachyphylla.
P. major var. pilgeri,P. major var. scopulorum.
Source of Earliest Record:Shennong Bencao Jing
Properties & Taste:Sweet and cold
Where to find it: Waste ground and roadsides. Woodland, Cultivated Beds, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade, Shady Edge.
Flowering time: Early spring to early autumn.
Astrology. This is under Venus. It cures the head by its antipathy to Mars and the privities by its sympathy to Venus. There is not a martial disease that it does not cure.
It is good to stay spitting of blood and bleedings at the mouth, or the making of foul and bloody water, by reason of any ulcer in the reins or bladder. A common perennial weed with large, broad leaves and pale greenish-yellow and brown flowers in long greenish spikes.
Common plantain, also known as broad-leaved plantain, dooryard plantain, greater plantain, round-leaved plantain, way bread, and white man's foot, is a perennial plant that is, appropriately enough, common in waste places, lawns, dooryards, and roadsides all over North America (except the extreme north) and Europe. Its leaves are broadly ovate, entire or toothed, and characterized by a thick, channeled footstalk. The flower stalks grow from 6 to 18 inches high and are tipped with long, slender, spikes of greenish-white flowers whose color is again overshadowed by brownish sepals and bracts. Flowering time is from May to October.
Plantain has been effectively used as an astringent, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant, and hemostatic. Common plantain can be used the same way as lance-leaf plantain. In addition, the juice or infusion can be taken for bladder problems and for gastrointestinal ulcers. A decoction can also be used externally for various skin problems, including ringworm, and also as a douche for leucorrhea. Chewing on the rootstock will give temporary relief from toothache. Finally, common plantain is sometimes recommended to increase virility (this use was probably suggested by the suggestive flower spike).
What is Plantain Seed?:
Plantain Seed:Plantain Seed is the dried ripe seed of Plantago asiatica L. or Plantago depressa Willd.(Fam. Plantaginaceae).Ellipsoid, irregularly oblong or triangular oblong, slightly flattened, about 2 mm long, 1 mm wide. Externally yellowish-brown to dark brown, with fine wrinkles, and a grayish-white concave pointed hilm on one side. Texture hard. Odour, slight; taste, weak.
Plantain seed contains mucilage in its outer epidermis, and swells when it gets wet. This property makes these seeds a natural candidate for the control of cholesterol levels. Along these lines, Plantain has been shown by scientists in Italy, Russia and other countries to reduce the intestinal absorption of lipids and cholesterol. The consensus of opinion today is that the Plantain seeds and leaves act by reducing the intestinal absorption of bile acids. Cholesterol levels may also be lowered in persons that use this herb as an appetite suppressant.
Action: To remove heat , to cause diuresis and eliminate damp, to relieve dysuria, to clear the eye, and to promote expectoration.
Indications: Edema; dysuria with difficult painful urination; diarrhea caused by sum-mer-damp; inflammation of the eye; cough caused by phlegm-heat.
The herb is astringent, antitoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, as well as demulcent, expectorant and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison ivy rashes, minor sores. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite (but at least for actually dangerous snakebites this is certainly untrue). Internally, it is used for coughs and broncitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup. The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce, et cetera.
Plantain seed husks expand and become mucilaginous when wet, especially those of P. psyllium, which is used in common over-the-counter bulk laxative and fiber supplement products such as Metamucil. P. psyllium seed is useful for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, and diverticular disease. Recent research is also showing it to be promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes.
Functions of Plantain Seed(Semen plantaginis):
1. Inducing diuresis to treat stranguria: In treating edema, dysuria, stranguria with burning pain and blood, etc., the drug is often used with Herba Diznthi, Caulis Akebiae, Herba Polygoni Avicularis, Talcum, etc.
2. Removing dampness to arrest diarrhea: In treating vomitting and diarrhea due to summer-heat, and dysuria, the drug is often used with Herba Elsholtziae seu Moslae, Polyporus Umbellatus, etc.
3. Clearing away heat from the liver and improving vision: In treating conjunctival congestion due to liver-heat, the drug can be used with Flos Chrysanthemi, Flos Buddlejae, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Gentianae, etc.
4. Clearing away heat from the lung and resolving phlegm: In treating cough with profuse sputum, the drug can be used in combination with Radix Platycodi, Semen Armeniacae Amarum,Radix Asteris, etc.
5.To promote water metabolism and relieve abnormal urination.
6.Treatment for diarrhea:
Although it may sound contradictory, psyllium seed may also be used to treat diarrhea. Because mucilage absorbs water from the intestinal tract, liquid intestinal contents may become more solid when mucilage is present. In studies, psyllium has caused both stomach and intestinal emptying to slow down, allowing more water to be reabsorbed into the body. Both of these effects help to control diarrhea. They may also be effective for the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.
7.To clear heat in the liver and brighten eyes.
8.To clear the lung and resolve phlegm.
9.Speed Cirluation and repair damage tissue:
Common plantain quickly staunches blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue. Plantain may be used instead of comfrey (Symphytum offidnale) in treating bruises and broken bones. An ointment or lotion may be used to treat hemorrhoids, fistulae (abnormal passages in the skin), and ulcers. Taken internally, common plantain is diuretic, expectorant, and decongestant. Plantain is commonly prescribed for gastritis, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory congestion, loss of voice, and urinary tract bleeding.
10.Wound healer:
Plantain is famous as a wound healer and an antidote to poisons. Plantain clears heat, congestion and toxins from the body, useful in treating fevers, infections and skin problems. Its mucilage has a soothing effect particularly in the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems. It protects their mucous linings from irritation and relaxes spasm in asthma and colic; plantain soothes the cough reflex, relieving harsh, tickly, and nervous coughs. The tannins are astringent, useful to reduce swelling and inflammation, staunching bleeding and encouraging healing, explaining its traditional use for TB, bleeding in the stomach and bowels, vomiting of blood, diarrhea and colitis, and for excessive menstrual bleeding.
11.Depresses the secretion of mucous:
Plantain depresses the secretion of mucous, particularly in the respiratory system - useful when treating colds, catarrh, sinusitis, bronchial congestion and allergic conditions such as hay fever and asthma. Its expectorant action clears phlegm from the chest. It can be used for catarrhal congestion in the middle ear, glue ear and ear infections. The antiseptic action of plantain augments its success as a remedy for respiratory complaints such as colds, sore throats, tonsillitis and chest infections. Plantain also helps clear stomach and bowel infections, as well as urinary infections, cystitis, prostatis and urethritis, soothing and reducing the pain and irritation of colic. Plantain is a useful remedy for prostatic enlargement.
12.Prevent or relieve constipation:
Although psyllium may be taken orally to treat several conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, It is probably best known as a laxative. Psyllium seeds are coated with mucilage, a natural gummy substance that does not dissolve in water. Instead, mucilage forms a thick, gooey mass when exposed to fluids. The body does not digest mucilage, so the resulting large soft mass moves through the intestines, usually also triggering intestinal muscle contractions. In addition, the mucilage forms a slick coating on the walls of the intestines. All of these effects help to prevent or relieve constipation.
13.Lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels:
Taking psyllium may also help to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In the intestines, psyllium may stick to cholesterol contained in foods, keeping it from being absorbed by the body and forcing it to be eliminated. Psyllium may also trap and eliminate bile acids. Since the body needs bile to digest fats, any bile that is lost in this way must be replaced. Cholesterol is a major component of bile, so more cholesterol may be used to produce adequate bile supplies. Less well-defined is psyllium possible blood sugar-lowering effect for individuals with diabetes. In some studies of individuals with diabetes, taking unsweetened or artificially-sweetened psyllium appeared to delay the absorption of carbohydrates from foods. As a result, blood sugar levels did not increase as high or as fast as they would have normally. Much more research is needed before psyllium may be recommended as treatment for either diabetes or high cholesterol.
14.Anticancer effects:
Psyllium has also been studied for possible anticancer effects. Results from a few laboratory and animal studies seem to show that taking psyllium may help prevent certain types of cancer ?particularly breast and colon cancers. The exact ways it might work are still not clear, but one theory is that psyllium may help prevent the formation of chemicals that cancer cells need to spread. Much more research is needed before psyllium potential anticancer effects can be proved.
Indications & Combinations of Plantain Seed(Semen plantaginis):
Edema; dysuria with difficult painful urination; diarrhea caused by summer-damp; inflammation of the eye; cough caused by phlegm-heat.
Damp-heat flowing into the urinary bladder manifested as dysuria, painful urination, frequent urination and distending and full sensation in the lower abdominal region. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Clematis stem (Mutong), Capejasmine (Zhizi) and Talc (Huashi) in the formula Bazheng San.
Damp-heat diarrhea. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Poria (Fuling), White atractylodes (Baizhu) and Alismatis rhizome (Zexie).
Heat in the liver manifested as red, painful and swollen eyes. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua), Chinese gentian (Longdancao) and Scutellaria root (Huangqin).
Deficiency of yin in the liver and kidney manifested as blurred vision and cataracts. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Ophiopogon root (Maidong) and Wolfberry fruit (Gouqizi).
Cough with profuse sputum due to heat in the lungs. Plantain seed (Cheqianzi) is used with Trichosanthes fruit (Gualou), Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu).
Medicinal virtues:
The clarified juice drank for a few days helps excoriations or pains in the bowels, and distillations of rheum from the head. It stays all manner of fluxes, even women's courses, when too abundant, and staunches the too free bleeding of wounds. The seed is profitable against dropsy, failing-sickness, yellow jaundice and stoppings of the liver and reins. The juice, or distilled water, dropped into the eyes cools inflammation in them.
The juice mixed with Oil of Roses and the temples and forehead anointed with it, eases pains in the head proceeding from heat. It can also be profitably applied to all hot gouts in the hands and feet. It is also good to apply to bones out of joint, to hinder inflammations, swellings and pains that presently rise thereupon.
The dried and powdered leaves taken in drink kills worms of the belly; boiled in wine, it kills worms which breed in old and foul ulcers. One part of the herb water and two parts of the brine of powdered beef, boiled together and clarified, is a remedy for all scabs and itch in the head and body, tetters, ringworms, shingles and running and fretting sores. All Plantains are good wound-herbs, for wounds and sores, internal and external.
Modern uses:
Cautions & Contraindications:This herb should be wrapped in cloth for decoctions if a strainer is not used.
In traditional Chinese medicine, plantain seeds are associated with the Kidney, Liver and Lung meridians, and have sweet and cold properties. Their main functions are to promote the metabolism of water, to stop diarrhea, to clear heat in the liver, and to clear the lung and resolve phlegm. Among the conditions plantain seeds are used to treat are painful urination, frequent urination, edema, distention in the abdomen, blurred vision, cataracts, and coughs.
Precautions:
Commercially-prepared psyllium products may contain sugar, making them inappropriate for use by individuals with diabetes. However, since psyllium may lower blood sugar levels, non-sweetened or artificially-sweetened psyllium products may help to control diabetes. Individuals who have diabetes and who take psyllium may need to check their blood sugar levels more often.
Psyllium is one of the safest laxatives available for long-term use. It is widely considered by the traditional medical community as very safe and effective when used in recommended doses for constipation and diarrhea.
People who are suspected of having an intestinal blockage or who suffer from narrowing of the esophagus or any other part of the intestinal tract should not use psyllium. Pregnant women, people with diabetes, and children under age six should use psyllium only after talking to their doctor. In rare cases psyllium can cause an allergic reaction.
Although such accidents are unusual, cases have been reported of patients suffocating when a mass of psyllium blocked the upper airway. Although these incidents are most common in elderly patients or those with neurological disorders, anyone taking a psyllium preparation on a regular basis should drink a large glass of water or other liquid immediately following each dose.
Contraindications:
Plantain is not associated with any common side effects and is thought to be safe for children.There is no information available about its use by pregnant or nursing women, though topical application appears to be safe. Adulteration of plantain with digitalis leading to dangerous side effects has been reported in Switzerland and the United States.Although rare, it points to the need for consumers to purchase herbs from companies that carefully test their herbal products for adulteration.
Possible side Effects:
Psyllium seed products are not absorbed by the body. Therefore, they are not likely to cause body-wide side effects. However, psyllium may cause blockages of the esophagus or intestines, if it is not taken with a sufficient amount of water.
Psyllium may cause minor gastrointestinal complaints such as bloating and gas.
For some individuals, pollen from plantain, the plants that produce psyllium seeds, may cause allergic reactions that can include itching, sneezing, and watering eyes. In rare instances, particularly sensitive individuals may suffer a severe type of allergic reaction that may result in breathing difficulty, hives, swollen throat, or unconsciousness.
Plantain may have following side effect: Diarrhea, gas, upset stomach;Lowered blood pressure;faster heart beat;low blood pressure. If these symptoms occurs with given medicine then consult to your doctor.The use of psyllium may cause increased abdominal gas, stomach rumbling, and a feeling of bloating. A few patients may experience nausea and vomiting, but these side effects are rare.
Interactions:
Generally, when it is mixed with water or other fluids, psyllium forms a sticky gel that could block the absorption of any drugs, herbals, or foods that are taken at the same time. If psyllium is taken, drugs and meals should be taken more than one hour before or 4 hours after taking psyllium.
Interactions with Prescription Drugs:
Psyllium seed may interfere with the body absorption of lithium, which is often used to treat bipolar disorder; and carbamazepine (Tegretol), which is used to treat epilepsy. If psyllium is taken at the same time as one of these drugs, the effect of the lithium or carbamazepine may be decreased and the condition may not be treated adequately.
On the other hand, psyllium's possible blood sugar-lowering effect may increase the effects of insulin and oral drugs for diabetes, such as:
Actos,Amaryl,Avandia,glipizide (Glucotrol XL),glyburide (Glynase),Glyset,metformin (Glucophage),Prandin,Precose
Interactions with Non-prescription Drugs:
Taking psyllium may interfere with the body absorption of vitamins (such as vitamin B12) and minerals (such as calcium and iron) from supplements or foods, making fewer nutrients available for the body to use. If multivitamins or vitamin-mineral combinations are being taken at the same time as psyllium, the supplement should be taken more than one hour before psyllium or more than 4 hours after psyllium.
Interactions with Herbal Products:
Because psyllium may decrease blood sugar levels, taking it with other blood sugar-lowering herbal products may result in hypoglycemia ?blood sugar that is too low. Herbals that may reduce blood sugar include:
Eleuthero,Fenugreek,Ginger (in high amounts),Kudzu,Panax ginseng
Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others.
Dosage and Administration:
An infusion of the leaves - 1 Oz (28 g) to 1 Pt (568 pt) of boiling water - is taken in doses of 2 fl oz (56 ml) as a remedy for piles and diarrhoea.
A decoction of the seeds is given to children in tablespoonful doses for thrush. One ounce (28 g) of the seeds is boiled in 1 1/2 Pt (852 ml) of water until it measures i pt (568 ml). The seeds are mucilaginous and laxative and can he used as a substitute for Linseed.
Dosage : 5-15g decoction, or take in pill or powder form.The typical dosage of plantain seed is between 5 and 10 grams of seeds, decocted in water. The seeds should be strained out of the decoction before oral administration. If a strainer is unavailable, the seeds should be wrapped in cloth before being placed in the water.
Tea:Steeping the herb in 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water for 10-15 minutes making 3 cups (750 ml ) per day.
External:The fresh leaves can be used directly 3 or4 times per day to minor injuries , dermatitis, and insect stings.
Tinctures:1/2 teaspoon (2-3 ml) three times per day, can also be used, to cure a cough
Oral:1/2-1 1/4 teaspoons (2-6 grams) of the fresh leaves can be juiced and taken in parts throughout the day.
Most commonly, psyllium is available in bulk as seed husks, whole seeds, or seed powder. It may be flavored and sweetened with sugar or with an artificial sweetener. Ordinarily, one of these bulk forms of psyllium is stirred into a beverage (such as water or fruit juice) and consumed right away. If the mixture is allowed to stand, it thickens to a slimy texture that many individuals find difficult or offensive to swallow. Psyllium may also be available as capsules or in cookies. Psyllium should always be taken with at least 8 ounces of liquid for every 5,000 mg (about one teaspoon) of bulk psyllium or each capsule or cookie. Due to the swelling action of the mucilage it contains, taking any form of psyllium without sufficient liquids could result in a blockage of the throat or intestines.
For treating constipation, a suggested dose range for psyllium seeds or husks is 5,000 mg (about one teaspoon) to 15,000 mg (about one tablespoon) three times per day. Once a soft stool has been achieved, psyllium may be discontinued. To prevent constipation, 5,000 mg (about one teaspoon) may be taken daily on a regular basis.
For treating diarrhea, smaller daily doses usually between 5,000 mg and 15,000 mg (one teaspoon to one tablespoon) ?are recommended. Individuals who have chronic diarrhea caused by medical conditions or liquid diets may take psyllium daily. However, most individuals who use psyllium for temporary diarrhea, stop taking psyllium when the diarrhea is resolved.
For decreasing cholesterol, psyllium may be more effective when it is consumed along with low-fat, high-fiber foods such as oatmeal or wheat germ. In clinical studies, most participants followed a low-fat diet as well as taking psyllium to lower cholesterol. Typically, continuous dosing of 2,500 mg to 5,000 mg (about one-half teaspoon to one teaspoon) two or three times a day is suggested. A similar dose may help to reduce blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes.
Doses for other conditions vary greatly according to the condition and the response of the individual. Instructions from a healthcare professional should be followed, if psyllium is being used to treat other medical conditions.
Recommended Dosage:
The German Commission E recommends using 1/4¨C1/2 teaspoon (1¨C3 grams) of the leaf daily in the form of tea made by steeping the herb in 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water for 10~15 minutes (making three cups (750 ml ) per day).The fresh leaves can be applied directly TID or QID to minor injuries, dermatitis, and insect stings.Syrups or tinctures, approximately 1/2 teaspoon (2~3 ml) TID, can also be used, particularly to treat a cough.Finally, 1/2~1 1/4 teaspoons (2~6 grams) of the fresh plant can be juiced and taken in three evenly divided oral administrations throughout the day.
Preparations:
Psyllium is available in a large number of over-thecounter (OTC) formulations. In the United States, it is sold in mainstream pharmacies and supermarkets under the names of Metamucil, Fiberall, and Naturacil. Many other common laxatives include psyllium as an ingredient. There has also been discussion in the United States about adding psyllium to breakfast cereals to increase their fiber content. In health food stores, psyllium can be obtained as powdered husks or seeds. A common dosage for constipation is 2 tsp of psyllium (7 g) taken with at least one glass (8 oz) of water up to three times a day. The dose for diarrhea can be even higher¡ªup to 40 g/day.
Safety and Toxicity:Aucubin
Aucubin was found to possess significant anti-inflammatory activities, per os without inducing any apparent acute toxicity as well as gastric damage, ranging between 25.0~33.3% at 125.1mg/kg
The major constituents in plantain are mucilage, iridoid glycosides (particularly aucubin), and tannins. Together these constituents are thought to give plantain mild anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihemorrhagic, and expectorant actions.Plantain is approved by the German Commission E for internal use to ease coughs and mucous membrane irritation associated with upper respiratory tract infections as well as topical use for skin inflammations.Two Bulgarian clinical trials have suggested that plantain may be effective in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.Insufficient details were provided in these reports to determine the quality of the trials or their findings. Although plantain was thought to possess diuretic properties, one double-blind trial failed to show any diuretic effect for this plant.A preliminary trial found that topical use of a plantain ointment (10% ground plantain in a base of petroleum jelly) was helpful as part of the treatment of people with impetigo and ecthyma, two inflammatory skin disorders. Insufficient details were provided in this report, however, to determine the quality of the study or its findings.
Following ingestion of psyllium, very little is digested in the small intestine. The psyllium polysaccharides are resistant to hydrolysis by the digestive enzymes. Some fermentation of the psyllium polysaccharides takes place in the large intestine via the action of colonic bacteria. The products of fermentation include the short-chain fatty acids acetate, propionate and butyrate, as well as hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The short-chain fatty acids that escape colonic metabolism are transported via the portal circulation to the liver, where they undergo metabolism.
Plantain:Pharmacology and Applications
Uses in General:
The Plantain contains Ascorbic-acid, Apigenin, Baicalein, Benzoic-acid, Chlorogenic-acid, Citric-acid,
and Ferulic-acid, Oleanolic-acid, Salicylic-acid, and Ursolic-acid are beneficial for human body.
Traditionally used for the treatment of:Respiratory Complaints.Coughs.Inflammation.
Plantain leaves and seed are used as:Antibacterial.Antidote.Astringent.Antiinflammatory.Antiseptic.Antitussive;Cardiac.
Demulcent.Diuretic.Expectorant.Haemostatic.Laxative.Ophthalmic.Poultice.Refrigerant.Vermifuge.
Psyllium has three major uses that have been well documented by modern scientific research. These include the treatment of diarrhea, the relief of constipation,and the lowering of serum cholesterol levels. Psyllium also has other uses in folk medicine that have not been scientifically documented.
Psyllium seed is high in dietary fiber, making it a good bulk laxative for treating chronic constipation. It is also used to soften stools and ease bowel movements after operations involving the anus and rectum, when hemorrhoids or anal fissures are present; or during pregnancy to lessen the strain of bowel movements.
Psyllium seeds are coated with a substance called mucilage that swells or "bulks up" when exposed to water. This extra volume stimulates the movement of material through the bowel. In addition, the moist, gummy mucilage lubricates the lining of the intestine. Both United States health authorities and the German Federal Health Agency's Commission E, established in 1978 to independently review and evaluate scientific literature and case studies pertaining to herb and plant medications, approve the use of psyllium to treat constipation.
Although it may at first seem contradictory, psyllium is also used to treat diarrhea and bouts of irritable bowel syndrome, a condition in which periods of diarrhea alternate with periods of constipation. As psyllium passes through the intestines, it absorbs water. This reduces the amount of fluid in the bowel and helps to control diarrhea. Both United States health authorities and the German Commission E have approved the use of psyllium to treat diarrhea.
German health authorities approved the use of psyllium to reduce serum cholesterol levels in the early 1990s, while the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not permit health claims to be made for psyllium content in foods until 1997. In that year, the FDA reviewed several scientific studies indicating that a daily intake of 10.2 grams of psyllium seed husk, combined with a diet low in saturated fats, consistently lowered blood cholesterol levels. A recent Canadian study confirmed the FDA's daily intake recommendation. Moreover, an improvement in the ratio of high-density lipoproteins (HDL, or "good" cholesterol) to low-density lipoproteins (LDL, or "bad" cholesterol) occurs when psyllium is used on a daily basis. The beneficial effects of psyllium on blood cholesterol levels, however, are somewhat affected by sex and age. Other surveys have found that wellness programs in which psyllium intake is one component of personalized behavioral change recommendations are more effective in lowering blood cholesterol than simply taking psyllium by itself.
In addition to these approved therapeutic uses, psyllium is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat stomach and intestinal ulcers, heartburn, and to help manage non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes. One Western study showed that psyllium taken before meals reduced the rise in blood glucose that occurred after eating, suggesting a valid role for psyllium in diabetes management. Additional studies are being undertaken.
In Ayurvedic medicine, psyllium is used to cleanse the body by absorbing toxins in the large intestine so that they can be eliminated from the body. Some herbalists believe this action helps reduce the risk of colon cancer. Psyllium is also used by Ayurvedic practitioners to treat urethritis.
Historical Use:
Plantain has long been considered by herbalists to be a useful remedy for cough, wounds, inflamed skin or dermatitis, and insect bites.Bruised or crushed leaves have been applied topically to treat insect bites and stings, eczema, and small wounds or cuts. It was considered by herbalists to be a gentle, soothing expectorant, and additionally to have a mild astringent effect said to help remedy hemorrhoids or bladder infections with mild amounts of blood in the urine.
It is thought to have been a European herb originally, but nowadays, it can be found growing throughout the world. Plantain seeds have even been found in Egyptian tombs, so you know it's been around a LONG time.
Traditional/Ethnobotanical uses:
Plantain has long been associated with agriculture. Certain species have been spread by human colonization, particularly that of Europeans. As such, North American Indians and New Zealand Maori refer to plantain as "Englishman's foot," because it spread from areas of English settlement. P. lanceolata and P. major have been used in herbal remedies and sometimes were carried to colonies intentionally for that purpose. Psyllium seed has been found in malt refuse (formerly used as fertilizer) and wool imported to England. It has been commonly used in birdseed. Pulverized seeds are mixed with oil and applied topically to inflamed sites. Decoctions have been mixed with honey for sore throats. The seeds and refined colloid are used commonly in commercial bulk laxative preparations.
Miscellaneous uses:
The psyllium in plantain has been used as GI therapy, to treat hyperlipidemia, for anticancer effects, and for respiratory treatment. In human studies, plantain has been effective for chronic bronchitis, asthma, cough, and cold. Clinical studies show that psyllium seed is useful as a bulk laxative. Many reports on psyllium have concluded that it can be helpful in treating various hyperlipidemias. A polyphenolic compound from P. major leaves was found to exhibit cholesterol-lowering activity. In addition, the mechanism by which plantago reduces cholesterol also may include enhancement of cholesterol elimination as fecal bile acids. Research reveals no information regarding the use of plantain as an anticancer agent.
Edible uses:
Plantain is very edible, though a little strong. It is best before flowering since the leaves begin to get really tough after that. I still use it throughout the year; just slice the leaves across the fibers and cook well. It has an interesting and hearty taste, and it's very good for you, with lots of calcium and vitamin C and a good amount of vitamin A. The flower shoots can also be eaten when tender and provide you with some B1 (thiamine).
Plantain (plantago) carries the old label of waybread. This term usually refers to a hard bread that you can take traveling. It keeps for a long time and will sustain you on a journey.Now where plantain fits into this definition, I don't know. I did find mention of an herb that you could eat that would sustain you for 12 days. That begins to make some sense, because plantain is a very nutritious and medicinal herb.
Anti-inflammatory effects:
Plantain Seed can significantly decrease capillary permeability in the skin and in the abdominal cavity, and decrease red blood cell membrane's permeability.Experiments on the adherence of Neisseria gonorrheae to human urethra epithelial cells show that Plantain Seed can significantly decrease the number of NG adhered to the surface of human urethra epithelial cells, and help keep the host organism relatively intact.
Anti-aging effects:
Experiments show that administered to mice, Plantain Seed can significantly increase the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), decrease the lipid peroxide level, increase the median hemolytic concentration (HC50), lengthen the subjects'swimming time, and enhance their anti-hypoxic capability.
Effects on gastrointestinal movement:
Plantain Seed can increase the water content in the intestine, improve peristalsis and bowel movement, and relieves diarrhea.Plantain Seed gelatin, however, has a lapactic effect, and helps ameliorate constipation.
Effects on the joint capsule:
Experiments show that injected to rabbits' knee cavity, 5%Plantain Seed solution can promote the proliferation of join capsule synovium's connective tissue, thereby recovering the normal tension of relaxed joint capsules.
Effects on intraocular pressure:
Experiments show that administered to rabbits by endogastric perfusion at 2.5g/kg for 3-6 days, Plantain Seed can slightly lower the subjects' intraocular pressure. The treatment can not counteract water load-induced increase in intraocular pressure in rabbits, however.
Fast acting bulk laxative:
Psyllium is a natural fast acting bulk laxative that is high in fiber and mucilage. It helps restore normal bowel functions, promotes healthy colon function, cleanses the large intestines, expels toxins, and may be beneficial for constipation, intestinal inflammation, stomach and duodenal ulcers. irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and cholesterol levels. Studies at the University of Kentucky and the Veterans Affairs medical center in Lexington Ky showed that Serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were 4.7% and 6.7% lower in a 24-26 week time span after being given psyllium.
Astringent,anti-toxic,antimicrobial,anti-inflammatory,as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diuretic:
Plantago spp. are often used as herbal remedies. The herb is astringent, anti-toxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, as well as demulcent, expectorant, styptic and diuretic. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils. In folklore it is even claimed to be able to cure snakebite (but at least for actually dangerous snakebites this is certainly untrue). Internally, it is used for coughs and bronchitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup. The broad-leaved varieties are sometimes used as a leaf vegetable for salads, green sauce, et cetera.
Plantain seed husks expand and become mucilaginous when wet, especially those of P. psyllium, which is used in common over-the-counter bulk laxative and fiber supplement products such as Metamucil. P. psyllium seed is useful for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, and diverticular disease. Recent research is also showing it to be promising in lowering cholesterol and controlling diabetes.
Psyllium supplements are typically used in powder form, along with adequate amounts of fluids. A dose of at least 7 grams daily taken with adequate amounts of fluid (water, juice) is used by some for management of elevated cholesterol. There are a number of psyllium products used for constipation. The usual dose is about 3.5 grams twice a day. Psyllium is also a component of several ready-to-eat cereals.
In India, mucilage from (Plantago ovata) is obtained by grinding off the husk. The mucilageis sold as Isabgol, a laxative which is used to control irregular bowel syndrome and constipation. It is also used in cereals as a treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia and for reducing blood glucose. It has been used as an indigenous Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for a whole range of bowel problems including chronic constipation, amoebic dysentry and diarrhoea.
In Romania and Bulgaria, leaves from Plantago major are used as a folk remedy to preventing infection on cuts and scratches because of its antiseptic properties.
Uses of Plantain leaf&Seeds:
If use externally a poultice of the leaves is useful to cure insect bites, poison-ivy rashes, minor sores, and boils & if taken internally its useful for coughs and bronchitis, as a tea, tincture, or syrup.
Taken internally, common plantain is diuretic,expectorant, and decongestant. It is commonly prescribed for gastritis, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery,irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory congestion, loss of voice and urinary tract bleeding.
The seeds are closely related to psyllium seeds and can be used similarly, a tablespoon or two soaked in hot sweetened water or fruit juice until a mucilage is formed and the whole gruel drunk as a lubricating laxative.
The fresh juice can be made into a douche for vaginitis by combining two tablespoons and a pint of warm water with a pinch of table salt.
Proteolytic enzymes found in the fresh leaf and the fresh or dried root make plantain useful as a gentle internal vasoconstrictor for milk intestinal inflammation.
The fresh juice or dried leaves in tea can help bladder inflammations.
The fresh juice can be preserved with 25% vodka or 10% grain alcohol.
Take one teaspoon in warm water one hour before every meal for mild stomach ulcers.
For bed-wetting plantain leaf can be given as a beverage-strength tea throughout the day (but not right before bedtime).
Staunches blood flow and encourages the repair of damaged tissue: It may be used instead of comfrey in treating bruises and broken bones.
Drawn the poison:
Once, a friend of my daughter was bitten by a brown recluse spider. After several trips to the doctor and a referral to a surgeon, he put some macerated plantain (plantago majora) leaves on the bite. That night, a lot of black liquid came out. The plantain seemed to have drawn the poison.
The next morning the bite was much improved and he could actually walk. When he went back to the surgeon later that day, there was just a deep hole where the bite had been. There's something really gratifying about seeing the surprised look on a doctor's face when he doesn't understand what has happened.
Pliny the Elder once said that you could put plantain into a pot with pieces of flesh, and the pieces would join back together. This herb is well-known as a natural remedy for wounds and bites.
Uses of Plantain lotion: An ointment or lotion may be used to treat hemorrhoids, fistulae and ulcers.
Summary:Medicinal uses and health benefits of psyllium
Psyllium seed consists of soluble and insoluble polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin). The seeds contain protein, triglycerides, starch and a fixed oil. Psyllium husk contains a high proportion of hemicellulose. Psyllium is astringent, antitoxic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, expectorant and diuretic. Psyllium contains mucilage which is used in common over-the-counter bulk laxative and fiber supplement products for constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, dietary fiber supplementation, and diverticular disease. Psyllium seed is high in dietary fiber, making it a good bulk laxative for treating chronic constipation. Psyllium has hypocholesterolemic effects. Psyllium is effective in lowering total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in some with hypercholesterolemia. In the intestines, psyllium may stick to cholesterol contained in foods, keeping it from being absorbed by the body and forcing it to be eliminated. Psyllium may also trap and eliminate bile acids. Psyllium may be recommended by a physician to help soften stool and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoids. Psyllium speeds the passage of stool through the digestive tract by softening the stool and attracting water thereby producing more bulk. Mucilage in psyllium acts as a soothing lubricant to the intestinal walls and may benefit to people with medical conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. Externally, a poultice of the leaves is useful for insect bites, poison ivy rashes, minor sores.
Active constituents: Polysaccharides (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), protein, triglycerides, starch and a fixed oil.
Health benefits : Effective in lowering total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels in some with hypercholesterolemia.
More and more research showing that a high-fiber diet may help prevent cancer,heart disease, and other serious ailments, roughage has started to get some respect.
The problem is that most Americans don't get enough fiber to realize its potential benefits. The typical American eats only about 11 grams of fiber a day, according to the American Dietetic Association. Health experts recommend a minimum of 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day for most people.
The Food and Drug Administration has recognized fiber's importance by requiring it to be listed on the Nutrition Facts panel of food labels along with other key nutrients and calories. And, based on scientific evidence, the agency has approved four claims related to fiber intake and lowered risk of heart disease and cancer.
Psyllium - The Super Fiber:
Phylum is a soluble fiber used primarily as a gentle bulk-forming laxative. It comes from a shrub-like herb called plantain that grows worldwide. There are many species of plantain that can each produce up to 15,000 tiny, gel-coated seeds. The plantain herb that produces psyllium seed is not the same plant as edible plantains. Psyllium husk is derived from these odorless, tasteless seeds.
The soluble fiber found in psyllium husks plays an important role in lowering cholesterol. Psyllium also softens stool and relieves constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, hemorrhoids, and other intestinal problems. When psyllium husk comes in contact with water,it swells and forms a gelatinous mass that stimulates the transport of waste through the intestinal tract. Several large population based studies also suggest that there may be an association between increased fiber intake and reduced risk of colon cancer, but results of other studies have been conflicting.
Unlike wheat bran and some other fiber supplements, psyllium generally does not cause excessive gas and bloating.
Psyllium.Potent Relief Fiber:
Constipation: Many well-designed studies have concluded that psyllium relieves constipation. Psyllium is believed to speed the passage of stool through the digestive tract by softening the stool and attracting water thereby producing more bulk, which stimulates the transit of waste through the gastrointestinal tract. Use of psyllium for this purpose is standard practice in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Diarrhea: Psyllium can be used as a bulk-forming agent to help relieve mild to moderate diarrhea. Psyllium soaks up a significant amount of water in the digestive tract, thereby making stool firmer and, under these circumstances, slower to pass.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Several well-designed studies have found that soluble fiber (including psyllium) helps regulate stool frequency and consistency in people with IBS. Psyllium also has the additional advantages over other sources of fiber of reducing flatulence and bloating.
Hemorrhoids: Psyllium may be recommended by a physician to help soften stool and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoids.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): In a study of people with ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disorder), psyllium seeds were as effective as the prescription drug mesalamine in decreasing recurrences of the disease. In addition, a physician may recommend the use of psyllium as a bulking agent for mild to moderate cases of diarrhea from either ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease (another type of inflammatory bowel disorder).
High Cholesterol: Soluble fibers such as those in psyllium husk, guar gum, and oat bran have a cholesterol-lowering effect when added to a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Studies have shown psyllium to be quite effective in lowering total as well as LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, which can be helpful to those with high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) and those at increased risk for developing hypercholesterolemia, such as people with type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes: Studies suggest that a high-fiber diet, which may include psyllium, an lower insulin and blood sugar levels and improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with diabetes. This type of diet may also help prevent diabetes in those at risk for the condition.
Obesity: Studies and clinical reports suggest that psyllium may enhance the sensation of fullness and reduce hunger cravings. For these reasons,incorporating psyllium and other sources of fiber into the diet may aid weight loss.
High Blood Pressure: Although the studies are not entirely conclusive, the addition of fiber (namely, 12 grams of soluble fiber per day), particularly psyllium, may help lower blood pressure.
Heart Disease: Incorporating high-fiber foods (such as psyllium-enriched cereals) into the diet may help lower heart disease risk.
Colon Cancer: Although initial reports were promising, studies investigating the value of a high-fiber diet for colorectal cancer have been conflicting. While some studies evaluating groups of people have suggested that fiber protects against the development of colorectal cancer, most large,better-designed studies have found only a minimal association between fiber intake and colorectal cancer risk. In addition, fiber does not appear to protect against the recurrence of colorectal cancer in people who have already been treated for the condition.
Other types of cancer: Preliminary evidence suggests that a diet high in fiber (in conjunction with other lifestyle changes and conventional medication) may help protect against the development of certain types of cancer such as prostate, breast, and lining of the uterus. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings, however.
Scientific References:
1.Plantago asiatica L.Uses Plantain seed and Plantain Seed Extract.
Claims & Warning:
Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......
Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).
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Serie No.:R020.Basic Data Sheet Download
.
seminal trace...Plantain Seed Extract.Plantain extract.10:1.CAS.NO.084929-43-1.Semen Plantaginis.Plantaginin.M.F.C21H20O11;Aucubin,.CAS.RN.NO:479-98-1.M.F.C15H22O9.Plantago major.ext.Psyllium seed,Psyllium husk...
Basic Botanical Data of Plantain Seed(Semen plantaginis):Semen plantaginis
1. Inducing diuresis to treat stranguria: In treating edema, dysuria, stranguria with burning pain and blood, etc., the drug is often used with Herba Diznthi, Caulis Akebiae, Herba Polygoni Avicularis, Talcum, etc.
Interactions with Prescription Drugs:
Scientific References:
Claims & Warning:
