psyllium
psyllium
Other Names:
Arta Water
, advocates,
Herb Pulguera
,
tires
Dog
Psilio
.
Dioscorides recommended it in the first century
A
.
D
. as an emollient (softener) and as such
has
been used until the mid - twentieth century, when it
was
discovered that also
has
a
mild laxative effect. Currently included in the composition of various pharmaceutical preparations against constipation.
HABITAT:
grows in sandy or rocky terrain of the entire Mediterranean area. It is cultivated for medicinal purposes.
Description:
annual plant of the
family
of Plantagináceas with herbaceous stem and erect up to 30 cm in height. The flowers are small, white, clustered in spikes ovoid. The fruits contain two seeds, 3 mm, smooth and
brown
.
Used parts:
seed.
Properties and indications:
the seeds contain abundant mucilage (up 15%) which gives them laxative action, emollient and anti - inflammatory. The
zaragatona
is one of the plants with higher content in mucilage is known, much higher than flaxseed (linseed) It also contains plant
sterol
lipids (sitosterol)
potassium
salts and trace elements. Hence his instructions:
Digestive
disorders
: the mucilage acts as
a
hydrophilic colloid, that is, its molecules are surrounded by large number of water molecules, making an increase in volume and becomes
a
mass of soft, gelatinous appearance. In this way, the mucilage get two effects:
and creates
a
protective film that coats the entire interior of the digestive duct, from the
stomach
to the large
intestine
, thus offering
a
softener and anti - inflammatory action on the
gastrointestinal
mucous membranes, which is highly beneficial in case of
gastritis
, duodenal ulcer or gastric, and
colitis
; calm
heartburn
(
heartburn
) and the
stomach
pain, and you stop the cramping pain and
diarrhea
in case of
colitis
.
Increase the volume of stool and makes it more soft, so they are moving more easily through the digestive tract, requiring
a
minor effort to peristaltic colon. All this translates into
a
mild laxative effect, without retortijones or irritation, and believes that without habit or cause loss of
potassium
and mineral salts, ie without any undesirable side effect. The mucilage of
zaragatona
can be used continuously for months or even years. It is very useful in the treatment of
chronic
constipation and its consequences, such as
hemorrhoids
or
diverticulosis
of the colon, which also helps prevent.
Diverticula occur as
a
result of excess pressure that
has
to do the colon to advance some hard stools or resecas. Food rich in meat and refined products,
but
poor in fruits,
vegetables
and whole
grains
, produces and hard stools rare that the large
intestine
to undergo
a
major effort. The result is constipation and its complications, the most serious of which is
cancer
of the colon. Treatment with mucilage must be accompanied by
a
change
in eating habits. The laxative effect of mucilage is enhanced by that of the hemicellulose, fiber that forms the shell of the seed. The beneficial effect of the mucilage on the
intestine
can also be obtained administered enemas, very convenient in the ano - rectal inflammation. Desinflamar
hemorrhoids
and calm the discomfort of anal
fissure
; recommended in cases of proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) and
colitis
, including
ulcerative
. In the latter case is used as
a
supplement to the
specific
treatment.
Treatment of
obesity
: the administration of seed
zaragatona
with plenty of water between meals, produces
a
feeling
of fullness and satiety in the
stomach
, reducing appetite. This action is due to the hydrophilic ability of mucilage, which swells and increases in volume with water. This effect also contributes to reduced
weight
is achieved with the ingestion of
zaragatona
. It
has
also been verified that the mucilage decreased levels of
cholesterol
and triglycerides in the blood, possibly because it interferes with the absorption of fats in the small
intestine
.
Urinary
disorders
: the mucilage of
zaragatona
also acts as an anti - inflammatory on the
urinary
mucous. It helps soothe the discomfort of
cystitis
and promotes the regeneration of the mucous irritated. Used in combination with other treatments.
Skin:
Applied locally as
a
poultice, and protects irritated skin desinflamar if rashes or eczema and
dermatitis
. It is healing when applied on burns, wounds or varicose ulcers. Also used in
cosmetics
for the
beauty
of the skin.
Use:
to prepare
a
maceration of seeds, leaving them crushed and macerated for 1 - 2 hours (
a
soup spoon of seeds per cup of water) After taking the mucilage, filtering the resulting
liquid
. You can add
a
teaspoon of
anise
seeds to improve the taste. Swallowed
a
glass in the
morning
fasting and another at night before bed.
Externally, in cataplasms seed:
After put into maceration, heated and prepares them with
a
poultice, which is kept at least 15 minutes on the affected area, 2 or 3 times
a
day. Enema
was
performed with the
liquid
resulting from the maceration of seeds is enough with 100 - 250 ml for
each
application; manage up to 3 daily enemas.
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