P
PIP); Nephrosis (f; DEP; KAP; PH2); Obesity (1; PH2; SKY); Pain (1; PH2); Parotosis (f; JLH);
Pharyngosis (2; KOM; PIP); Pregnancy (1; APA); Proctosis (1; APA); Psoriasis (f; SKY); Respirosis
(2; BGB; KOM; PIP); Rheumatism (f; KAP; PH2); Sore (f; DEP); Stomatosis (f; JLH); Ulcer (f;
PH2); Ulcerative Colitis (1; PH2); Urethrosis (f; KAP). Urogenitosis (f; PH2); Ulcer (1; PH2); UTI
(f; APA); VD (f; KAP; PH2); Whitlow (f; JLH); Wound (f; DEP).
Dosages (Psyllium) — 2.5–10 g seed 2–3 ×/day (AHP); 5–10 g (3 g in children) seed 3 ×/day
(CAN); 10–30 g seed (black psyllium) (KOM); 12–40 g seed (blonde psyllium) (KOM); 6–12 g
powdered seed (KAP); 56–112 ml bruised seed decoction (KAP); 2–4 ml liquid seed extract (1:1
in 25% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 2 tsp (7.5 g) seed or 1 tsp husk/glass water (APA); 0.5 cup fresh
seed or hull (PED); 1–2 tbsp dry seed or hull (PED); 1 tbsp dry seed or hull/cup of water (PED);
7.5 g seed or 5 g husks 1–2 ×/day (SKY); 3–5 g husks (CAN); 3–4 (565 mg) capsules 3 ×/day (JAD).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Psyllium) — Class 2d. Take with at least
8 oz liquid. Take 1 hour after taking other drugs, which it might chelate. Contraindicated in
bowel, esophageal, or GI obstruction (AHP; PIP). Bulking agents should not be taken by those
with stenotic lesions of the GI tract. May lead to bowel obstruction if fluid intake is inadequate.
(Take 150 ml water/5 g psyllium (KOM)). Do not take bulking agents when laying down or at
bedtime. Do not use with antiperistaltics (e.g., such as loperamide, for example) (SHT). Physi-
cians and other health care professionals are developing increasingly allergic reactions to psyllium
powder. There are reports of a fatal bronchospasm after oral ingestion of ispaghula, identical
with, or closely related to psyllium. Commission E reports contraindications for seed and seed-
shell: GI obstruction (ileus), and diabetes, which is hard to control (as insulin need may be
reduced); adverse effects: allergic reactions; interactions: absorption of other drugs taken simul-
taneously. Other contraindications: intestinal obstruction (AEH). Based on early drafts, AHP
repeats that psyllium is contraindicated in “diabetes mellitus which is difficult to regulate ...”
There may be a need to reduce insulin dosage in insulin-dependent diabetes (KOM). If swallowed
dry, psyllium can cause esophageal obstruction and flatulence (CAN). “Ispaghula husk depressed
the growth of chickens by 15% when added to their diet at 2%.” By speeding transit time, bulk
laxatives can lower absorption of some drugs. Wow! “Ispaghula may be used during pregnancy
and lactation” (CAN). Alcoholic extract is hypotensive in small doses, hypertensive in large
doses (KAP). Mucilage is hypoglycemic. Seeds of related species in China are used clinically
to treat high blood pressure with ~50% success. “The FDA has proposed a rule that would amend
the regulation permitting food labeling bearing a health claim on soluble fiber for a lower risk
of coronary heart disease (CHD) to include soluble fiber from psyllium husks (Plantago asiatica
L.).” The maker of one popular cereal petitioned, citing data from 57 clinical studies (1965–1996,
including 21 human studies) on psyllium’s ability to lower cholesterol and CHD risk. FASEB
has determined that psyllium is safe at levels up to 25 g/day. FDA counters that high levels of
psyllium husk “may enhance epithelial cell proliferation in the GI tract or cause allergies in
some people” (Johnston, B.J.; 1997). FDA proposes health claim for psyllium. HerbalGram
41:28.). HH2 reports 8-week clinical trials on hyperuremia with 7 g psyllium husks a day for 8
weeks. Blood levels of urea were 19% lower after the 8 weeks (Based on Rampton and Barton,- Clin. Nephrol. 121: 159.) (HH2).
PUFFBALL (Lycoperdon spp.) ++Activities (Puffball) — Hemostat (1; EFS).
Indications (Puffball) — Anemia (f; HHB; PH2); Bleeding (1; EFS; HHB); Catarrh (f; HHB
PH2); Dermatosis (f; HHB; PH2); Dysmenorrhea (f; HHB; PH2); Epistaxis (f; PH2); Menorrhagia
(1; HHB); Pulmonosis (f; EFS); Sore Throat (f; EFS).
Dosages (Puffball) — Food farmacy (JAD).