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Psyllium (Ispagulla), also known as spogel seeds, is an almost stem less small herb covered with dense and soft hairy growth. It has very narrow leaves and minute flowers in oval or cylindrical spikes. The upper leaf of fruits opens like a lid and its seed are boat shaped. The seeds of this plant, also known as flea seeds, constitute of drug. In the whole world, Psyllium (Plantago ovate F.) is traditionally cultivated in North Gujrat only. During 1989-90 it was cultivated on 29891 hectares and produced 20564 tones of seed (Anon, 1990). of late, it has been cultivated in Southern Rajasthan and in scattered area in state of Madhya Pradesh and Harayana in India. Outside India, successful trials are reported in Tasmania (Australia) and Mexico. Seeds of Isabgol are cooling, demulcent, useful in inflammatory and bilious dearrangements of the digestive organs, applied as poultice to rheumatic and gouty swellings; good in dysentery and irritation of the intestinal tract; decoction is useful in cough and chronic diarrhea. The seed taken in large quantities swell-up in contact with water and increase the bulk of the intestinal content. This way, it relieves chronic constipation by mechanical
About the author
Dr Krishna Mohan Singh completed his MSc & PhD Degree from Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra. He did his PhD work on Varietal performance of Isabgol/Psyllium (Plantago ovata F.) crop under varying row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer doses. He Published 23 Research Papers in reputed Journals, one in international, five books, 6 training manuals.
