Family
- Laminaceae
Constituents
- Mucilages
- Iridoids
- Fatty oils
- Dietary fibres
Parts used
- Seeds
Properties
- Laxatives (takes effect after 12 hours to 3 days)
Side effects
- Allergic reactions (rare but possible with symptoms such as bronchospasm, rhinitis or dermatological reactions)
- Bloating (especially at the start of therapy) and abdominal distension
- If psyllium is swallowed with too little water, it may block the oesophagus or intestines.
Contraindications
- Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
- Bowel obstruction
- Ulcers
- Diabetics
- The use of psyllium should be controlled as it contains sugar.
- Difficulty swallowing
- Acute stomach pain
Interactions
Possible reduced absorption of certain minerals (magnesium, calcium) and possible reduced absorption of certain cardiac glycosides:
- For this reason, and to reduce the risk of interactions, it is advisable to take your medication 1 to 2 hours before or after taking psyllium (flea seed) to ensure good absorption of the medication.
Use during pregnancy:
- Psyllium can be taken during pregnancy, it is a first choice laxative for pregnant women.
- No specific problems have been reported with the use of psyllium during pregnancy.
How to use
- Seeds (tegument)
- Flakes