Psyllium plantain and sand plantain are native to the Mediterranean regions and Central Europe. Other genera are found in India, Iran and Japan. The plants are cultivated primarily in India, Iran, Pakistan, and southern Europe. Drug imports are mainly from France.
Psyllium in herbal medicine
In herbal medicine, people use the mature seeds of psyllium plantain and sand plantain (Psyllii semen). In addition, the seeds of Plantago ovata and the seed coats of Indian psyllium (Plantaginis ovatae testa) are also used.
Psyllium: Characteristics of the plant
The parent plants of psyllium can be either psyllium plantain (psyllium) or sand plantain, both of which belong to the same plant genus. In addition, there are also the Indian and the Asian psyllium, which in turn are derived from other genera (Plantago ovata and Plantago asiatica, respectively).
Psyllium plantain is a low annual herb with opposite, lance-shaped, hairy leaves. The inconspicuous flowers are in dense short spikes. Two-fanged capsules develop on the plant, each bearing two small seeds inside.
What do psyllium seeds look like?
The name “psyllium” is based on the fact that the seeds are very similar to fleas. Psyllium seeds are dark, reddish-brown, shiny seeds of elongated-oval shape. On one side you can see a continuous furrow, which has a lighter tear in the middle.
If you give the seeds in water, they swell very much and after a short time they are surrounded by a transparent layer of mucilage.
What do psyllium seeds smell and taste like?
Psyllium seeds do not give off any particular odor. The taste of psyllium seeds is mucilaginous, bland and slightly sweet.