Psyllium Husk Fiber (Ispaghula · Plantago Ovata Fiber)
| CAS No. | 9067-32-7 |
| Class | Polysaccharide · Soluble dietary fiber · Arabinoxylan mucilage |
| Source | Plantago ovata — seed husk. India supplies ~85% of global production |
| Claim strength | High — FDA qualified health claim + EFSA approved |
| Buy from Herbuno | Psyllium / Ispaghula Seed Husk → |
Plantago ovata — known as isabgol or ispaghula across the Indian subcontinent — has been used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for over a thousand years as a demulcent laxative, intestinal regulator, and remedy for dysentery and inflammation of the GI tract. The Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita both reference plantago preparations for digestive disorders. In Unani medicine, isabgol seed husk was prescribed as a cooling, mucilaginous remedy for heat-related GI conditions, constipation, and urinary tract irritation. Persian and Arabic physicians including Ibn Sina (Avicenna) documented its use in the 11th century. The plant's cultivation for medicinal seed husk is documented in Rajasthan and Gujarat going back several centuries — the same regions that today supply approximately 85% of global psyllium production. Psyllium thus represents a rare case of a traditional medicine ingredient that transitioned from Ayurvedic and Unani practice directly into a globally significant modern pharmaceutical and supplement raw material, retaining its original indication — bowel regulation — throughout.
Psyllium husk is the seed coat of Plantago ovata. The active component is psyllium mucilage: an arabinoxylan polysaccharide that constitutes approximately 25–30% of the husk by weight and forms a highly viscous, partially fermentable gel on contact with water. Psyllium carries approved health claims from both the FDA and EFSA — dual regulatory approval that is rare for any plant-derived ingredient.
Psyllium for Cholesterol, Digestive Regularity & Blood Glucose — Clinical Evidence
FDA qualified health claim: "Soluble fiber from psyllium seed husk, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease." Requires 7g of soluble psyllium fiber per day. Authorised in 1998 alongside the oat beta-glucan claim — one of only two plant fibers with this FDA cardiovascular claim status.
EFSA approved health claims: Two claims approved: (1) Psyllium husk contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels — requires 10g per day; (2) Psyllium husk contributes to normal bowel function — requires 6g per day. Both are available for use on food supplement labels in EU markets with the required conditions of use stated.
LDL cholesterol reduction: Meta-analyses of 21+ RCTs document average LDL reduction of 6–24 mg/dL at 7–10g per day — effect size varies with baseline LDL and dietary fat intake. The mechanism is bile acid sequestration identical to oat beta-glucan but psyllium's partially fermentable nature means a portion of the fiber reaches the distal colon intact, providing both upper GI cholesterol-lowering and lower GI prebiotic benefits simultaneously.
Digestive regularity: Psyllium increases stool bulk and water retention in the colon — documented effective for both constipation (increases stool frequency) and diarrhoea (normalises stool consistency). This bidirectional bowel normalisation effect is unusual and supports positioning across a wider GI health consumer base than single-direction laxatives.
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Psyllium Dosage, Format & Formulator Specification
Standard dose: 6–10g per day for digestive and cardiovascular effects. Clinical studies use single doses of 3.5–5g taken 1–3 times daily with meals. Always accompanied by a minimum of 240ml water per dose — a mandatory label requirement in FDA and EFSA regulated markets.
Mandatory label requirement: Psyllium's gel-forming properties create an aspiration and choking risk if taken without adequate water. US FDA and EFSA both require label statements directing consumers to take with at least 240ml of water. This is non-negotiable regulatory copy — it cannot be omitted from the finished product label.
Indian origin advantage: India produces approximately 85% of global psyllium supply from Rajasthan and Gujarat. Herbuno's India-based sourcing position provides direct supply chain access to the world's primary production region — relevant for origin documentation, phytosanitary certification, and supply reliability.
Grades available: Whole husk, husk powder (various mesh sizes), and mucilage extract (standardised to mucilage content percentage). For supplement label claims, specify mucilage content on the CoA. For food applications, specify particle size (mesh) and swelling factor.
Pairs with: Oat beta-glucan (additive LDL reduction), inulin (complementary prebiotic + soluble fiber), plant sterols (comprehensive cardiovascular formulation).
Frequently Asked Questions — Psyllium Husk
What is psyllium husk and where does it come from?
Psyllium husk is the seed coat of Plantago ovata, a plant cultivated primarily in Rajasthan and Gujarat in India. India supplies approximately 85% of global psyllium production. The active component is psyllium mucilage — an arabinoxylan polysaccharide that forms a highly viscous gel on contact with water and is responsible for all documented physiological effects.
What is the FDA health claim for psyllium?
The FDA qualified health claim states: "Soluble fiber from psyllium seed husk, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease." It requires 7g of soluble psyllium fiber per day and is one of only two plant fiber ingredients (alongside oat beta-glucan) with this cardiovascular claim status in US regulation.
Why must psyllium always be taken with water?
Psyllium forms a gel rapidly on contact with moisture. Without sufficient water, undissolved psyllium can expand in the throat or oesophagus and create an aspiration or choking risk. The FDA and EFSA both require a minimum water intake instruction — typically 240ml per dose — as a mandatory label statement on all psyllium-containing products.
What is the difference between psyllium husk, psyllium powder, and psyllium mucilage?
Whole husk is the intact seed coat — the standard consumer format. Husk powder is milled whole husk — finer particle size, faster dispersion. Mucilage extract is the isolated arabinoxylan fraction standardised to mucilage content percentage — the highest purity grade for supplement label claims. For regulatory claims, confirm mucilage content on the CoA.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human studies; Moderate = a few trials; Emerging = early lab data.