Psyllium husk
Plantago ovata
Seeds & Grains. Ayurveda and Modern nutrition.
Also called Isabgol, Ispaghula, Blond psyllium
Spanish: Psyllium (ispágula)
Choking risk if taken drySoluble fiber from the husk of Plantago ovata seeds, used to ease constipation and lower LDL cholesterol.
Did you know? Psyllium husk can soak up many times its weight in water and turn into a thick gel.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Cholesterol. Psyllium lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol in many trials and reviews. The drop is clear but modest.Strong proof
- Constipation. Psyllium makes stools softer and bulkier, and several trials show it helps constipation. It works over days, not hours.Good proof
- Blood sugar. Small trials suggest psyllium may blunt blood sugar spikes after meals. Results are inconsistent.Early proof
Parts of the body
Heart & vessels, Liver, Gut & intestines, Pancreas & blood sugar
Traditional use
Isabgol, the Indian name for psyllium, has long been used in Ayurveda and Persian folk medicine for constipation and digestion.
How it is classified
How people take it
Cholesterol studies often used about 10 grams a day, split into doses. Take it with a full glass of water, and start slowly to avoid bloating.
Powder, capsule and food.
Where to get it
Husks come from the seeds of Plantago ovata, a plant grown mainly in India. Sold as powders, capsules and wafers in drugstores and grocery stores.
Be careful
Psyllium can cause gas and bloating, and dry powder can cause choking, so always take it with plenty of water. It can slow or reduce the absorption of other medicines, so take other pills at least 2 hours before or after it. Sudden or severe belly pain, vomiting or trouble swallowing mean you should stop and get medical care, because it can block the bowel in rare cases.
Avoid if: bowel obstruction; swallowing problems.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both give soluble fiber that helps lower LDL cholesterol.
- Works well together
Psyllium adds bulk and softens stool, while senna moves it. Some people use both for constipation.
- Use cautionThyroid medicine (levothyroxine (Synthroid))
Fiber can reduce how well thyroid pills (levothyroxine) are absorbed. Take them at a different time.
- Worth knowingDiabetes medicine (metformin, insulin, glipizide, Ozempic)
Can lower blood sugar after meals. Watch levels if you take diabetes medicines.
Found in these formulas
Gut reset (Modern)
The honest take
Psyllium is one of the better-proven fiber supplements, with good evidence for constipation and modest LDL lowering. Its effect is real but not large, and it works best as part of a higher-fiber diet. It is not a proven treatment for conditions outside constipation and cholesterol.