A stemless or sub-caulescent soft, hairy annual. Leaves are narrowly linear or filiform, entire or distantly toothed; flowers are in cylindrical or ovoid spikes; capsules are ellipsoid, 8 mm. long, obtuse, the upper half coming off as a blunt conical lid, membranous, glabrous; seeds are ovoid-oblong, 3 mm long boat-shaped, smooth, yellowish brown.
In the treatment of dysentery, catarrhal conditions of the genito-urinary tract, inflamed membranes of the intestinal canal etc.A decoction of seeds is prescribed in cough and cold, and the crushed seeds made into a poultice are applied to rheumatic and glandular swelling.
Contraindication
Stenosis of the gastrointestinal tract. Obstruction or threatening obstruction of the bowel. Difficulties in regulating diabetes mellitus. Diabetics who are insulin-dependent may need to reduce their insulin dosage while using psyllium seeds.
Reference
Voderholzer et al., Am J Gastroenterol, 1997 92(1), 95.
Anderson JW, Allgood LD, Turner J, et al. Effects of psyllium on glucose and serum lipid
responses in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Am J Clin Nutr
1999;70:466-473. Bliss DZ, Jung HJ, Savik K, et al. Supplementation
with dietary fiber improves fecal incontinence. Nurs Res 2001;50:203-213. Voderholzer WA, Schatke W, Muhldorfer BE,et al. Clinical response to dietary fiber treatment of chronic constipation. Am J Gastroenterol 1997;92:95-98.
Health Remedies 
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