Psyllium Husk (Isabgol): Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Introduction

Psyllium husk or isabgol husk is a natural polymer^1,2. It’s made from the outer layers of the seeds of Plantago ovata Forsk (P. ispaghula Roxb.). Isabgol is rich in fibre and mucilage. Mucilage is a colourless gelling agent capable of expanding in volume as it absorbs water up to 40 times its weight¹. Dietary fibre obtained from psyllium husk may be used in processed foods, as an ingredient of foods, and in health supplements². 

Originating from Western Asia, isabgol is an annual herb. Indian Muslims introduced its medicinal properties from seeds collected firstly from some wild species³. India is presently the major producer and exporter of isabgul husk in the world⁴. 

Nutritional Value of Isabgol

The nutrients present in psyllium husk are as follows²: 

• Protein: 0.94 %
• Albumin: 35.8 %
• Globulin: 23.9 %
• Prolamin: 11.7 %
• Total carbohydrates:  84.98 %

Benefits of Isabgol

Isabgol has several advantages for maintaining a healthy life. It is safe and effective for some conditions if taken in a recommended dose. 

1. Gastrointestinal Issues & Bowel Diseases 

• Managing Constipation: Isabgol contributes to the ease of passage of the stools as it adds unfermented gel, which functions as an emollient and lubricant agent. Studies¹ and clinical trials have shown that it significantly increased moisture in stools and both dry and wet stool weight in patients with gastrointestinal disease. Due to these properties, isabgol is used to manage constipation. 
• Managing Diarrhoea: Studies¹ have shown that isabgol also helps slow down the colon transit and gastrointestinal emptying time; this property is beneficial to people suffering from diarrhoea or faecal incontinence from liquid stools. 
• Managing Bowel Diseases: Supplementing isabgol may help in the management of inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel disease and ulcerative colitis due to its anti-constipation activity. Anaerobic fermentation of isabgol fibre in the intestines results in a large production of metabolites, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties¹. 

2. Managing Colorectal Cancer

Isabgol may restrict butyric acid’s antineoplastic activity. Thus, it’s considered beneficial in preventing colorectal cancer⁵. 

3. Supports Cholesterol Management

Isabgol fibres (soluble and insoluble) have significance in reducing total low-density lipoprotein and serum cholesterol. Thus, it helps reduce the risk of heart diseases⁵. 

4. Managing Haemorrhoids 

Supplementing isabgol in the diet is helpful in managing haemorrhoids. Since isabgol helps in dealing with both constipation and loose stools, it would also help in managing haemorrhoids. In a comparative study⁸, people treated with a placebo of B vitamins had no major difference, and those consuming isabgol had a reduction of bleeding. 

5. Managing Type II Diabetes 

Studies⁹ on a population with type II diabetes have shown that isabgol husk effectively improved glycaemic and lipid control after meals.    

Including psyllium in your diet may help regulate your blood sugar levels and improve your overall metabolic health. Psyllium has the ability to enrich certain foods like breakfast cereals, pasta, bread, and some snacks, which can be beneficial for individuals with lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, especially obese adolescents and children.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

How to Use Isabgol

• Studies¹⁰ show that a daily dose of isabgol husk in moderation is very well accepted by the body.
• Isabgol husk is consumed extensively both as a food ingredient in processed foods and in pharmacological supplements².

Seek advice from your Ayurvedic physician on dosage as per your health condition⁴.     

Side Effects of Isabgol

Side effects observed with isabgol consumption are as follows: 

• A few minor unpleasant responses were reported by the studies⁴. Minimum or irrelevant changes in the behaviour were observed.  
• If consumed in the absence of sufficient fluid, it swells up later and may block the throat or oesophagus⁵.  
• In more complex situations, it may cause intestinal obstruction if we fail to maintain a recommended amount of fluid intake⁵.  
• A high fibre diet may increase insulin sensitivity³.  

Precautions to Take With Isabgol

Keep the following points in mind: 

• Isabgol should be taken with an adequate amount of water or some other fluid.  
• One must not consume isabgol if they have trouble swallowing or any throat problems.  
• You must seek immediate medical attention if, after consuming isabgol, you experience chest pain, breathing issues, difficulty in gulping, congestion, or vomiting.  
• Prescribed drugs are advised to be taken separately from isabgol to reduce the interaction possibilities.    
• Consuming isabgol husk in the long term can reduce the absorption of vitamin B12, zinc, iron, magnesium and copper. It may also affect calcium absorption.    
• It may reduce dietary carbohydrate absorption.    
• It is recommended to take drugs at separate administration times (preferably, one hour before) from isabgol husk as there may be possible interactions⁵.  

Incorporating psyllium into your diet may be beneficial as psyllium husk might be a natural prebiotic. Psyllium husk contains about 15% fermentable fibre, which can support the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Interactions With Other Drugs

• Some drugs may show reduced absorption if taken with isabgol husk or isabgol-containing products, as they may tend to slow down gastric emptying time⁵.  
• The levels of drugs given to reduce the risk of heart diseases may also be affected. Thus, it should be taken under medical supervision⁵.    
• Insulin doses must be reduced when insulin-dependent diabetics consume isabgol husk with meals⁵.
• Medical supervision is needed to adjust the dose of thyroid hormones when taking isabgol husk simultaneously⁵.
• Isabgol should be consumed under medical supervision with medicinal products that inhibit peristaltic movements (muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract)⁵.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Purohit P, Rathore HS. Isabgol: a herbal remedy. World J Pharm Res. 2019 Mar;8(7):579-85. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vipin-Kumar-57/publication/38111508_Isabgol_Husk_A_Herbal_Remedy_for_Human_Health/links/02e7e519cfb0038464000000/Isabgol-Husk-A-Herbal-Remedy-for-Human-Health.pdf 
2. Verma A, Mogra R. Psyllium (Plantago ovata) husk: a wonder food for good health. Int. J. Sci. Res. 2015 Sep;4(9):1581-5. Available from: https://www.ijsr.net/archive/v4i9/SUB158459.pdf 
3. Qaisrani TB, Butt MS, Hussain S, Ibrahim M. Characterization and utilization of Psyllium husk for the preparation of dietetic cookies. Int J Mod Agric. 2014 Sep;3(3):81-91. Available from: (PDF) CHARACTERIZATION AND UTILIZATION OF PSYLLIUM HUSK FOR THE PREPARATION OF DIETETIC COOKIES (researchgate.net) 
4. Kumar D, Pandey J, Kumar P, Raj V. Psyllium mucilage and its use in pharmaceutical field: an overview. Curr Synthetic Sys Biol. 2017;5(1):134. Available from: (PDF) Psyllium Mucilage and Its Use in Pharmaceutical Field: An Overview (researchgate.net) 
5. Sharma VK, Bhattacharya A. Isabgol husk: a herbal remedy for human health. J Pharm Res. 2009 Jan;2:296-301. Available from: (PDF) Isabgol Husk: A Herbal Remedy for Human Health (researchgate.net) 
6. Tandon VR, Kaur D, Khajuria V. Menstrual disturbance with herbal anti-obesity preparation. J Postgrad Med. 2006 Oct;52(4):326. Available from: https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA154671827&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=00223859&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7E64271648 
7. Hashem MA, Abd-Allah NA, Mahmoud EA, Amer SA, Alkafafy M. A preliminary study on the effect of Psyllium husk ethanolic extract on hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress induced by Triton X-100 in ection in rats. Biology. 2021 Apr;10(4):335. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/10/4/335 
8. Ishan Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Centre. ISABGOL (PSYLLIUM HUSK). [Internet]. Greater Noida: Ishan Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Centre; [cited 2025 Apr 22]. Available from: https://ishanayurved.com/medicinal-plants/isabgol-psyllium-husk/
9. Anderson JW, Allgood LD, Turner J, Oeltgen PR, Daggy BP. Effects of psyllium on glucose and serum lipid responses in men with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Oct;70(4):466–73. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/70.4.466. PMID: 10500014. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10500014/
10. Oliver SD. The long-term safety and tolerability of ispaghula husk. J R Soc Promot Health. 2000 Jun;120(2):107–11. doi:10.1177/146642400012000208. PMID: 10944885. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10944885/

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