Black Psyllium

Other Names : Brown Psyllium, Dietary Fiber, Fibre Alimentaire, Fleaseed, Fleawort, French Psyllium, Graine de Psyllium, Herbe aux Puces, Œil-de-Chien, Plantain, Plantago psyllium, Plantain, Plantain Pucier, Psyllion, Psyllios, Psyllium, Psyllium afra, Psyllium arenaria, Psyllium Brun, Psyllium d’Espagne, Psyllium indica, Psyllium Noir, Psyllium Seed, Pucière, Pucilaire, Spanish Psyllium, Zaragatona.
Black psyllium is a weed that grows aggressively throughout the world. The plant was spread with the colonization of the New World and was nicknamed "Englishman's foot" by the North American Indians. People use the seed to make medicine. Be careful not to confuse black psyllium with other forms of psyllium including blond psyllium.

Special Precautions of Black Psyllium

• Black psyllium, when taken with enough water, is safe for most people. Mild side effects include bloating and gas. In some people, black psyllium can cause allergic reactions such as runny nose, red eyes, rash, and asthma. Black psyllium might lower blood sugar. If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar carefully.
• Be sure to take black psyllium with plenty of water. Otherwise, you might choke. The concern is so important that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that psyllium be labeled: "WARNING: Taking this product without adequate fluid may cause it to swell and block your throat or esophagus and may cause choking. Do not take this product if you have difficulty in swallowing. If you experience chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty in swallowing or breathing after taking this product, seek immediate medical attention.”
• Black psyllium seeds contain a substance that can cause kidney damage. Commercial preparations of black psyllium usually have this substance removed. Do not use black psyllium seeds unless they have had special processing to make them less toxic.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking black psyllium during pregnancy or breast-feeding seems to be safe, as long as enough water is taken with the dose.
• Diabetes: Black psyllium can lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes by slowing down absorption of carbohydrates. Monitor blood glucose levels closely if you have diabetes and use black psyllium. Doses of your medications for diabetes may need to be adjusted. On the other hand, some black psyllium products can contain added sugars and other carbohydrates that might increase blood sugar levels. Check labels for added sugar, and again, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels.
• Intestinal problems: Don’t use black psyllium if you have impacted stools, a complication of constipation in which the stool hardens in the rectum and can’t be moved by usual movement of the bowel. Don’t use black psyllium if you have a condition called gastrointestinal (GI) atony, narrowing of the GI tract, bowel blockage or conditions that can lead to bowel blockage such as spastic bowel. The concern is that when black psyllium absorbs water and swells up, it might block the GI tract in people with these types of conditions.
• Allergies: Some people are severely allergic to black psyllium. This is more likely to happen to people who have been exposed black psyllium on the job. These people shouldn’t use black psyllium.
• Phenylketonuria: Some black psyllium products might be sweetened with aspartame (Nutrasweet). If you have phenylketonuria, avoid these products.
• Surgery: Because black psyllium might affect blood sugar levels, there is a concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using black psyllium at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
• Swallowing disorders: People who have trouble swallowing might be more likely to choke on black psyllium. If you have a swallowing problem, don’t use black psyllium.
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol) interacts with Black Psyllium
• Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with Black Psyllium
• Lithium interacts with Black Psyllium
• Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with Black Psyllium.

Benefits and uses of Black Psyllium are

Black psyllium adds bulk to the stool which might help with constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome. It also increases the elimination of cholesterol from the body before it can be absorbed and enter the bloodstream.

• Constipation. Black psyllium works as a bulk laxative and reduces constipation.
• Improving high cholesterol.
• Cancer.
• Diarrhea.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).