The main place of its origin is Iran from where it is imported in India. But now it is also cultivated in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. Seed and seed powder of Plantago ovata species, described here, are used for medicinal purposes. It has two more species – Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major.
Appearance
The plant is 1-3 ft tall, seasonal, bushy, and without stem. The leaves have three veins, are undivided, and 6-9 inch long. The stem of the flowers is like ears of wheat on which tiny flowers grow containing boat-shaped seeds. The seeds have husk on them, which forms a slippery, tasteless and odorless slime when it comes in contact with water.
Chemical Composition
The seeds have large amounts of mucilages and albumin. The husk mainly contains mucilage and cellulose.
Properties
It is lubricating and mildly intoxicating. It cures diarrhea and dysentery. The husk creates tenderness and gives physical strength. It is extremely nutritive, sweet, and cool. It is smooth, oily, astringent, and vat enhancing.
Medicinal usage
Headache: Grind it with Eucalyptus leaves and apply this paste on ear lobes. It cures headache.
Ear pain: Take its 10 gm mucilage and mix 10 gm onion juice in it. Warm the solution and put a few drops in the ears. It cures the ear pain.
Mouth problems: Gargle with its mucilaginous pulp.
Toothache: Soak it in vinegar and keep it under the teeth. It cures toothache.
Asthma, breathlessness, bronchitis: Give 3-5 gm seeds with warm water every morning. It is beneficial in asthma, breathlessness and bronchitis.
Stomach problem:
1. In case of severe diarrhea with bleeding and bleeding diathesis, give Isabgol powder with 2 teaspoonful curd, 2-3 times a day.
2. Boil three doses of Isabgol seeds in 1 liter water till water is reduced to half. Divide this water into three doses and give this to the patient thrice a day. It cures any type of constipation, diarrhea, and stomach pain and other such stomach disorders.
3. Soak its seeds in water till it forms the mucilage. Give this to the patient with sugar added in it. It cures amoebic dysentery, severe diarrhea due to indigestion, diarrhea, loose motions, stomach pain etc.
4. In children, it helps cure old diarrhea.
5. To cure the burning sensation of intestines, swelling mix 10 gm powder or seeds in cold water and give this to the patient. Or soak the seeds in water till the seeds swell and then give this to the patient.
6. Roast the seeds and give to the patient. It cures diarrhea and diarrhea due to indigestion.
Constipation:
1. Give 1-2 teaspoonful Isabgol powder at night with warm milk. It cures constipation.
2. Take equal quantities of Isabgol powder and triphala powder. Give 3-5 gm of this mixture with warm water at night before going to bed. Next day morning, the motions happen easily. For swelling in stomach and pitta disorders this is an extremely effective treatment.
Bleeding Piles: Give its squash to the patient. It stops bleeding from boils.
Dehydration: Mix the squash of China Rose with its mucilage and give this to the patient.
Amoebic dysentery: Take 100 gm Isabgol powder and mix each of aniseed and sugar. Give 2-3 teaspoonfuls 50 gm of this mixture 2-3 times a day.
Urinary disorders:
1. In case where quantity of urine released is almost nil or when there is burning sensation while releasing the urine, soak 4 teaspoonful powder in 1 glass of water and after some time add sugar as per taste and give this to the patient. It cures the burning sensation and pain in the urinary area.
Spermatorrhoea (night fall): Take equal quantities of Isabgol with sugar candy and then give 1 teaspoonful of this mixture with 1⁄2 glass milk, at least an hour before going to bed. Urinate before sleeping. This helps cure Spermatorrhoea (night fall).
Arthritis: Tie poultice of Isabgol on the joints. It gives relief from pain.
Prolapse rectum: Give 2 teaspoonful Isabgol powder with milk, 2-3 times a day.
Harmful effects:
It may lead to weakness of nerves and muscles. It is anti-appetizer. This treatment is harmful for pregnant women. Also its seeds should not be grinded.
