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Plantain, Psyllium

Botanical: Plantago Psyllium (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Plantaginaceae

---Synonyms---Psyllium Seeds. Fleaseed. Psyllion. Psyllios.
(Barguthti) Barguthi.
---Parts Used---Seeds, leaves.


In Southern Europe, as well as in Northern Africa and Southern Asia, Plantago Psyllium (Linn.), Fleaseed is used similarly to P. major. The seeds are also used for their large yield of mucilage. Semen psyllii is the name given to the seeds of several species of European Plantago, but the best are those of P. Psyllium. They are dark brown on the convex side, shiny, inodorous and nearly tasteless, but mucilaginous when chewed. They are demulcent and emollient and may be used internally and externally in the same manner as flaxseed, which they closely resemble in medicinal properties.

P. Psyllium has once been found on ballast hills in Jersey, but has not permanently established itself.

Purchase from Richters Seeds
Indian Psyllium (Plantago ovata) Seeds

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Bear in mind "A Modern Herbal" was written with the conventional wisdom of the early 1900's. This should be taken into account as some of the information may now be considered inaccurate, or not in accordance with modern medicine.

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