Ayurvedic Ashvagola. Ashwakarna (also equated with Shorea robusta).
Unani Aspaghol.
Siddha/Tamil Isapppa.
Folk Isabgol.
Action Seed and husk—laxative, diuretic, demulcent, bechic, cholinergic. Used in inflammatory conditions of the mucous membrane of gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract, chronic amoebic and bacillary dysentery; also in hypercholesterolemia.
Key application In chronic constipation and irritable bowel. (German Commission E.) Also in constipation due to duodenal ulcer or diverticulitis (WHO.) German Commission E also noted that Blond Psyllium seed lowers serum cholesterol levels. It has also been shown to slow sugar absorption thereby reducing blood glucose. (ESCOP) Use of Blond Psyllium husk up to six months did not clinically alter vitamin or mineral status in a review of eight human trials. It did not reduce absorption of calcium. (I Am Geriatr Soc, 43, 1995; Am I Clin Nutr, 71, 2000; Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)
The seed contains amino acids including valine, alanine, glutamic acid, glycine, cystine, lysine, leucine and tyrosine; and a mucilage consisting of a mixture of polysaccharides composed mainly of xylose, arabinose.
