French Psyllium
Plantago arenaria

Family: Plantaginaceae

What it is like

Plantago arenaria is a ANNUAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in). It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.3

Where it is found

Disturbed ground, dunes and grassy places.

S. Europe to S.W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Young leaves - raw or cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 3

Psyllium has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years in Western herbal medicine. Both the dried seeds and the seed husks are demulcent, emollient and purgative. The seeds have a mucilaginous coat and swell to several times their volume when in water. The seeds and the husks contain high levels of fibre, they expand and become highly gelatinous when soaked in water. By maintaining a high water content within the large bowel they increase the bulk of the stool, easing its passage. They are used as a demulcent and as a bulk laxative in the treatment of constipation, dysentery and other intestinal complaints, having a soothing and regulatory effect upon the system. Their regulatory effect on the digestive system means that they can also be used in the treatment of diarrhoea and by helping to soften the stool they reduce the irritation of haemorrhoids. The jelly-like mucilage produced when Psyllium is soaked in water has the ability to absorb toxins within the large bowel. Thus it helps to remove toxins from the body and can be used to reduce auto-toxicity.

Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Emollient: Softens the skin, causing warmth and moisture.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Purgative: A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. This species is cultivated in many areas for its seed, which is used medicinally.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer A sowing can be made outdoors in situ in mid to late spring if you have enough seeds.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness:

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. indica. P. psyllium. non L.1753 P. ramosa.