Isabgol or psyllium husk is a
must for every kitchen. This easy and cheap household remedy may save you a
trip to the doctor’s and a dose of unwanted medicine. Every dietician keeps
emphasizing the importance of a good amount of natural fibre in the diet, but
in modern day lifestyle with increasing fast foods even most of our home made
food contains very less fibre to meet the Recommended Dietary Allowance. The
result is constipation, heart diseases, flatulence and acidity.
Isabgol has a list of benefits. It
contains soluble as well as insoluble fibre. These fibres aid in the movement
of the bowel, keeping the gastrointestinal tract healthy.
The main cause for constipation
is lack of fibre in the diet. Isabgol when mixed with warm milk expands and
thickens. This increases roughage quantity inside the gastrointestinal tract
and works as a lubricant and helps in easy movements of bowel.
Even during bouts of diarrhea
isabgol comes handy but only the method to use it is different, this time it
must be mixed with just normal temperature water. In cold water the fibre does
not thicken immediately, but on reaching the gastrointestinal tract it absorbs
the moisture and swells up and binds the loose stool.
Constipation is one of the main reasons
for piles and fissures. Precaution is better than cure. Simply avoid piles by
relieving the symptoms of constipation.
Isabgol is beneficial for
lowering cholesterol levels. It is thought to stimulate the conversion of cholesterol into
bile acid and then increase bile acid excretion. It may also decrease the
intestinal absorption of cholesterol.
Other benefits of
isabgol include weight loss and fighting diabetes, the reason for both is same,
Isabgol has a stomach-filling effect. i.e. it reduces the pangs of hunger as
the fibres are not easily digested. It keeps the sugar levels regulated.
In cases of acidity, isabgol
forms a gel like substance in the stomach and protects the gastrointestinal
lining. Isabgol helps to reduce symptoms of ulcers also.
How to consume:
For constipation: Mix
1-2 tsp of isabgol in hot/warm milk.
For diarrhea: Mix 2
tsp isabgol with normal water or mix 2 tsp isabgol with 2 tbsp curd. Add sugar
if required.
For weight loss: Mix
1 tsp isabgol with warm water and lemon juice. Drink daily early in the morning
or before a meal.
For symptoms of
piles/fissures: Mix two tsp of isabgol with warm milk and ½ tsp of ghee.
Now that you know a
simple remedy for your GI problems, try this natural healer before making a
trip to the doctor’s.
Post by Zohra Sada
