Uses
Edible uses
Notes
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
Seed
Unknown part
Material uses
Unknown part
Medicinal uses(Warning!)
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].Unknown part
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
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
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.
References
- ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
- ? 2.02.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
- ? 3.03.13.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
- ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
- ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
- ? 6.06.16.26.3 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
- ? 7.07.17.27.3 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
- ? 8.08.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
- ? 9.09.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
- ? 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)
- ? Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
- ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
- ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
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