Ispaghul Husk Powder 300µm Heat Treated

Plantago Ovata Forssk.

1. #Properties#
   

   Properties of ispaghul

   
   
   Ispaghul, also called blond psyllium, is an annual plant native to Western Asia from the Plantaginaceae family, which includes nearly 200 different species. Known as Isabgol, meaning ''horse's ear'' in Indian, its seed is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the prevention of skin irritations, hemorrhoids, constipation and diarrhea. Ispaghul was recommended before by the Egyptians for its laxative properties (1).
   
   

   The Plantago Ovata Forssk. is a plant with a high water-soluble fibre content, which provides a number of positive effects on intestinal well-being along with its nutritional contributions and health benefits: it improves transit, relieves the symptoms of constipation and mild diarrhea, and contributes to maintaining good cholesterol (2).
   
   

   Indeed, this plant’s testa contains mucilages which swell in the intestine by absorbing large quantities of water. The gel secreted from these mucilages promotes intestinal peristalsis, regulates transit and reduces the symptoms of constipation and mild diarrhea (3). Ispaghul could thus relieve irritable bowel syndrome and could be indicated in case of difficult digestion.
   
   

   In addition, the mucilaginous gel (4) that Ispaghul forms in the stomach naturally provides a feeling of satiety. Psyllium can thus be part of a slimming diet thanks to the reduced absorption of food by the intestines (5).

   
   

   The polysaccharides contained in psyllium and composed of d-xylose, l-arabinose, d-glucose, d-galactose and l-rhamnose, are also potential natural antioxidants (6).
   
   The presence of a significant amount of phenolic compounds such as flavonoids also gives it antioxidant properties (7).
   
   

   Mucilages can also partially capture ingested fats and sugars. The high content of phytosterols (8) in Ispaghul seeds could give it beneficial hypocholesterolemic properties in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. According to several studies, soluble fibre from the husk of psyllium seeds could reduce total and LDL cholesterol (9) and could represent a health asset for the prevention of type 2 diabetes (10). Another advantage of Ispaghul is that it does not irritate the mucous membrane, unlike some herbal laxatives

   
   While contributing to glycemic control, psyllium can be easily incorporated into food formulations without altering the taste perception of the product. Plantago Ovata Forssk. is a functional ingredient in vogue over the past few years and is now found in breakfast cereals or added to various dishes.
   
   This raw material makes it possible to ingest ideal amounts of fibre without increasing the caloric intake of many sweet or savory preparations. Ispaghul is also an ideal nutraceutical ingredient for gluten-free cooking.
   
   With its gelling properties, psyllium is thus used as a hydrocolloid (11) for food applications and also used in cosmetics.
   
   
   1. ispaghul : bienfaits, utilisation, propriétés (medisite.fr)

   2. Psyllium - Wikipedia Plantago ovata — Wikipédia (wikipedia.org)

   3. https://www.santemagazine.fr/medecines-alternatives/approches-naturelles/phytotherapie/le-psyllium-benefique-sur-la-constipation-la-digestion-le-cholesterol-334330

   4. FISCHER, Milton H., YU, Nanxiong, GRAY, Gary R., et al. The gel-forming polysaccharide of psyllium husk (Plantago ovata Forsk). Carbohydrate research, 2004, vol. 339, no 11, p. 2009-2017.

   5. Plantago ovata — Wikipédia (wikipedia.org)

   6. PATEL, Manish Kumar, TANNA, Bhakti, GUPTA, Hariom, et al. Physicochemical, scavenging and anti-proliferative analyses of polysaccharides extracted from psyllium (Plantago ovata Forssk) husk and seeds. International journal of biological macromolecules, 2019, vol. 133, p. 190-201.

   7. SUTRADHAR, Kakoli, TAHSIN, Md Rafat, ASHRAFI, Sania, et al. Propriétés phytochimiques, biochimiques et pharmacologiques de Plantago ovata (Ispaghula Husk) – Une revue. Journal des sciences pharmaceutiques de l'Université de Dacca , 2022, vol. 21, n° 2, p. 231-243.

   8. http://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Psyllium

   9. Simone Augusta Ribas, Diana Barbosa Cunha, Rosely Sichieri et Luiz Carlos Santana da Silva, « Effects of psyllium on LDL-cholesterol concentrations in Brazilian children and adolescents: a randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel clinical trial », The British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 113,‎ 14 janvier 2015, p. 134–141

   10. Ayman S. Abutair, Ihab A. Naser et Amin T. Hamed, « Soluble fibers from psyllium improve glycemic response and body weight among diabetes type 2 patients (randomized control trial) », Nutrition Journal, vol. 15,‎ 12 octobre 2016, p. 86

   11. FRANCO, Elisangela Aparecida Nazario, SANCHES-SILVA, Ana, RIBEIRO-SANTOS, Regiane, et al. Psyllium (Plantago ovata Forsk): From evidence of health benefits to its food application. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2020, vol. 96, p. 166-175.
   
   
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2. #Parts used#
   

   Parts of ispaghul used

   
   
   

   At Natural Origins we use the seed coat of Plantago ovata Forssk. which constitutes what is called the plant testa. We keep the best of the psyllium and all of its active ingredients in these whole or ground testa in order to obtain a powder.

   
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3. #Quality#
   

   Quality of ispaghul

   
   
   
   This ingredient is available in organic and conventional grade.
   
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4. #Country of origin#
   

   Country of origin of ispaghul

   
   
   Originally from Western Asia, Ispaghul is a plant grown mainly in India and Pakistan. Our ingredient comes from the Indian states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
   
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5. #Harvest period#
   

   Ispaghul harvest period

   
   
   February - March
   
   
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6. #Optimal availability period at Natural Origins#
   

   Optimal availability period of ispaghul at Natural Origins

   
   
   December
   
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