What does ispaghula mean?
Ispaghula is the dried seed material of Plantago ovata, particularly the husk surrounding each tiny seed. When mixed with water, the husk forms a viscous, mucilaginous gel that adds bulk to the contents of the bowel and can relieve constipation. For this reason, it is used as a bulk-forming laxative, often in sachets or capsules, and as a source of soluble fibre in foods and supplements. Ispaghula is also the familiar British name for the product, whereas psyllium is the more common name in North America and in scientific discussion. The distinction is chiefly one of naming rather than material: both can refer to the seed and its fibrous husk. Although often described as a “natural” laxative, it remains a prepared medicinal product and should be taken with enough liquid.
nounThe dried seeds of the plant Plantago ovata, especially the mucilaginous seed husk, used as a bulk-forming laxative and as a source of soluble fibre. It absorbs water and swells to form a gel in the digestive tract.
- The dried seeds of Plantago ovata, especially the seed husk, used as a bulk-forming laxative.
- A soluble-fibre product made from these seeds, used in food and dietary supplements.
"The pharmacist recommended ispaghula to help relieve her constipation."
"He mixed a teaspoon of ispaghula into his water and drank it immediately."
"The recipe uses ispaghula to give the loaf a smoother, more cohesive texture."
Rare in ordinary usage because ispaghula is normally an uncountable mass noun; the plural occurs chiefly in technical or encyclopedic writing.
"Some commercial preparations combine different ispaghulas with additional fibres."
Ispaghula earns its “natural” reputation by doing something deceptively simple: its tiny seeds drink water, swell up and form a soothing gel.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ispaghula come from?
The English name entered through scientific and pharmaceutical usage from a form of the Persian term ispāghūl, associated with the plant and its seeds. The modern botanical name Plantago ovata belongs to a separate botanical naming tradition based on Latin plantago. The descriptive English names plantain, plantago and plant all continue the Latin plant- word group.
How ispaghula is actually used
In medicine, ispaghula is a non-systemic bulk-forming laxative. It should be taken with adequate water; insufficient fluid can cause choking or obstruction. The name is especially familiar in Britain and South Asia, while psyllium is more common in North American usage.
Easily confused with ispaghula
Isabgol is a South Asian name for the same plant and its mucilaginous seed covering, whereas ispaghula is the more common British pharmaceutical term.
Psyllium is the general botanical and product name for the fibre and laxative, while ispaghula usually refers specifically to seeds or seed husk obtained from Plantago ovata.