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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - raw or cooked.

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Plantago arenaria.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Psyllium has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years in Western herbal medicine[1].

Both the dried seeds and the seed husks are demulcent, emollient and purgative[2][3][4][1]. The seeds have a mucilaginous coat and swell to several times their volume when in water[3]. 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[1]. 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[2][3]. 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[1].

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[1].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Plantago arenaria. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[5]. This species is cultivated in many areas for its seed, which is used medicinally[4][6][7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Plantago arenaria. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Plantago arenaria.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Plantago arenaria
Genus
Plantago
Family
Plantaginaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Plantago scabra2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Plantago scabra2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Plantago scabra2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
    7. ? Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press (1955-00-00)
    8. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Plantago scabra2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Plantago arenaria"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPlantaginaceae +
    Belongs to genusPlantago +
    Has binomial namePlantago arenaria +
    Has common nameFrench Psyllium +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imagePlantago scabra2.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has mature height0.3 +
    Has mature width0.25 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDemulcent +, Emollient +, Laxative + and Purgative +
    Has primary imagePlantago scabra2.jpg +
    Has search nameplantago arenaria + and french psyllium +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePlantago arenaria +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Plantago arenaria +, Plantago arenaria +, Plantago arenaria +, Plantago arenaria + and Plantago arenaria +