Zaragatona (Psyllium): A Natural Solution for Enhanced Digestive Health
Plant
It is a deciduous herbaceous plant, which has an erect and branched stem, from which the leaves grow, elongated, narrow, opposite or whorled three by three. The flowers are produced in spikes, are whitish in color, have a calyx with four sepals and a tubular corolla with four petals. The fruits are pixidia, that is, capsules that open transversely when ripe. Each fruit contains a pair of oblong, shiny, dark reddish-brown seeds. In contact with water, the seeds swell appreciably and become covered with a colorless and translucent mucilage that is responsible for their properties. It blooms in spring and summer.
Where does the name come from?
The name psyllium comes from the word psylla, which in Greek means "flea", due to the resemblance of the seeds to this small insect.
Its use in the past
Although for uses very different from the current ones, Dioscorides (40 to 90 AD) already describes this plant in great detail and, among its applications, highlights its use as a plaster against pain and swelling, macerated with vinegar and applied on the painful area against the headache, against ergot poisoning ("San Antón fire") and, in fresh bouquets, in homes, to prevent the presence of fleas, among many other applications.
Current uses of psyllium
Ripe psyllium seeds contain abundant mucilage They have the property of swelling with water, forming a viscous and voluminous gel that increases the volume of the stool and makes it softer. The increase in volume produces an increase in the movement of the intestine, which is why it mechanically helps the evacuation. In addition, the mucilage forms a lubricating layer that also facilitates transit and protects the walls of the intestine. The laxative effect It occurs around 24 hours after its administration.
Because of this ability to form a mucilaginous gel, psyllium seeds should be considered intestinal regulators rather than laxatives since, in case of, they absorb excess water from the intestine, increasing the viscosity of the stool and slowing down the speed of gastrointestinal transit.
Another action that has been proven in various studies is its ability to decrease intestinal absorption of fats and sugars from food, which is why they can help control cholesterol and glucose levels in the blood together with an adequate diet and, if necessary, with it.
It can also be used as a satiating agent, since when ingested before meals, psyllium mucilages capture water from gastrointestinal juices and form a gel that provides a feeling of satiety.
How to take it?
- Macerated the seeds or powder: 10 to 30 g / day, divided into two or three doses, taken with plenty of water. When used to treat it, it should be taken on an empty stomach and, if necessary, repeated before going to bed. If what is intended to achieve is a satiating effect, or reducing the absorption of fats and sugars, it should be taken before meals.
- As an antidiarrheal, 40 g / day of powder are recommended, divided into several doses, for 2-4 days.
- To avoid the gases that psyllium can produce, it can be combined with powder (or an infusion at room temperature) of anise or fennel seeds.
This is how the mash is prepared
The most traditional way to take psyllium seeds is in the form of a mash, which is prepared as follows:
Crush a tablespoon of seeds (it can be done by tapping with the pestle), put them in half a glass of water and marinate for half an hour. The liquid resulting from the maceration is taken and then another glass of water.
Contraindications, adverse effects and recommendations
Psyllium seed is contraindicated in cases of narrowed esophagus and in patients with insulin dose adjustment difficulties.
It should also not be taken if there is pain in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, intestinal obstruction or constipation of several days.
It must be taken into account that it should not be taken together with other medications, since it can decrease their absorption, so it is advisable to take them two hours apart.
- The seeds: in contact with water they swell and form a viscous gel that facilitates intestinal transit.
- They are taken: the most common is in the form of macerate or powder.
- The laxative effect: occurs around 24 hours after administration.
INFORMATIVE NOTE
“This content is merely informative, explained by specialists with experience in the field with an informative objective. MAPFRE does not intend in any way to position itself on its suitability or expressly promote its consumption. "
Maria Jose Alonso Member of medicinal plants and homeopathy of the College of Pharmacists of Barcelona
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)