Plantaginis ovata semen

The name "Indian psyllium" refers to an officinal drug used as a herbal medicine mainly for the treatment of habitual constipation. The drug swells with water to form a mucilage product, thereby increasing stool volume.

Quality specified in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.).

HMPC monograph: Well-established use: Internal: constipation to soften stools, e.g., after rectal or anal examinations, for anal fissures and hemorrhoids.

Indian psyllium husk: Plantaginis ovatae seminis tegumentum: Well-established use: Irritable bowel, support of a cholesterol-lowering diet
Approval: Stool irregularities, irritable bowel (colon irritabile), diverticulosis, in the presence of an artificial bowel outlet and as a supportive measure in Crohn's disease.
ESCOP Monograph: Indian Psyllium/Indian Psyllium Husk: constipation, for easy bowel evacuation with soft stools e.g. in anal fissures, hemorrhoids, after rectal-anal surgery, during pregnancy; irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea of various causes.

Indian psyllium husk (additional): as an adjunct in low-fat diets for mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Commission E-Monograph: Indian psyllium/Indian psyllium husk: chronic constipation and to facilitate bowel emptying in anal fissures, hemorrhoids, after rectal-anal surgery, during pregnancy; adjuvant therapy for diarrhea of various causes. for irritable bowel syndrome.

Empirical medicine: adjuvant in diabetes mellitus, slight lowering of elevated cholesterol levels.

Mucilages in the epidermis of the seed coat (soluble in water): D-galacturonic acid, D-xylose, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose. Other ingredients: Aucubin, proteins, egg white, fatty oil, sugar.

Indian flea seed is used as a drug for habitual constipation (K59.0); the drug can also be used during pregnancy. Indian flea seed is also suitable for diseases (e.g. anal fissures, haemorrhoidal disorders) in which a "soft" bowel movement is adjuvantly indicated.

The seeds are also suitable for external use with compresses. Indications for this are rheumatic diseases and inflammations.

As a mild laxative, 12 to 40 g of the psyllium (alternatively 4-20 g of psyllium husks) can be added to water. After swelling, take with plenty of water.

Possible undesirable interactions are allergies or hypersensitivity reactions ranging from hives to mild asthmatic attacks (when used by inhalation).

In the presence of intestinal obstruction or stenosis in the gastrointestinal tract must be refrained from use. In the case of existing diabetes mellitus, it is advisable to check the ingredients carefully, as some finished preparations contain sugar. Allergy to one of the ingredients.

Indian flea seeds can reduce the absorption of medication and should therefore be taken at a time interval from the medication.

The fixed combination senna leaves + Indian flea seeds consists of:

• Sennae folium (senna leaves)
• Plantaginis ovata semen (Indian flea seed)

has a laxative effect and is used for constipation.

The seeds swell in water to many times their volume and have a laxative effect in the intestinal tract. Sufficient liquid intake: at least in the ratio 1:10!

Do not take at the same time as milk, otherwise the swelling is prevented.

1. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/flohkraut---flohsamen-wegerich.php
2. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-plantago-ovata-forssk-semen_en.pdf
3. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 130-131