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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young leaves - raw or cooked.

The mucilage contained in the seedcoat is used as a stabilizer in ice cream, chocolate etc[1][2][3].

Seed - sprouted and eaten in salads[3].

Leaves

Unknown part

Material uses

A mucilage found in the seed coat is sometimes used as a starch to stiffen linen[4].

Unknown part

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Psyllium has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years in Western herbal medicine[5].

Both the dried seeds and the seed husks are demulcent, emollient and laxative[4][6][7][5]. They are used in the treatment of dysentery, catarrhal conditions of the genito-urinary tract, inflamed membranes of the intestinal canal etc[4][7][8][9]. The seeds have a mucilaginous coat and swell to several times their volume when in water[6]. 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[5]. 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[4][6]. 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[5]. 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[5].

The oil in the seed embryo contains 50% linoleic acid and has been used as a preventative of atherosclerosis[10]. It is also effective in reducing cholesterol levels in the blood[10].

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 ovata. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native habitat it should succeed outdoors in most parts of the country. This plant is cultivated for its seed in India[7][11]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[12].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Plantago ovata. 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 ovata.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Plantago ovata
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
    x meters
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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


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


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






    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    9. ? 9.09.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    11. ? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    12. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    13. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)

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

    Facts about "Plantago ovata"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyPlantaginaceae +
    Belongs to genusPlantago +
    Has binomial namePlantago ovata +
    Has common nameBlond Psyllium +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +, Seed + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Stabilizer +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile + and Wind +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imagePlantago ovata form.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useStarch +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnticholesterolemic +, Demulcent + and Laxative +
    Has primary imagePlantago ovata form.jpg +
    Has search nameplantago ovata + and blond 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 ovata +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    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 ovata +, Plantago ovata +, Plantago ovata +, Plantago ovata +, Plantago ovata +, Plantago ovata + and Plantago ovata +