Plantago Ovata is a traditional plant which is used in Ayurveda, home remedy, and modern medicine. India is the largest producer and exporter of the psyllium husk powder. It is mainly cultivated in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, covering an area of approximately 16,000 hectares. In India, approximately 50,000 hectares of land is used for its cultivation and produces approximately 50000 tonnes of seeds annually. India exports psyllium husk worth 75 million USD per annum.

The term “Psyllium" is used for the whole plant, along with the crust and the seed. It is considered an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fibres. The soluble fibre content of psyllium is almost ten times more than that of oat bran. The diet fibre extracted from the plant possesses pharmaceutical properties and can be used in producing low-calorie food. Psyllium, also called Isabgol, is derived from the Sanskrit words asp and ghol, which mean “horse flower.” For hundreds of years, traditional Iranian medicine has been making use of psyllium.

The seed contains starch and fatty acid. This makes it a great natural additive for animal feed. The husk, which is the outer coat is ground to a clear, colourless, gelatinous dietary fibre that is majorly responsible for the health benefits in both animals and humans.

Its gelatinous nature makes it a popular addition to foods to provide the desired thickening and texture.

When psyllium seeds are processed to make psyllium husk, the extraneous material derived is known as Kha-Kha Powder or plantago. It is a byproduct of the psyllium husk but is very effective against soil erosion. Due to its “stickiness”, it is able to hold together the soil in place for germination.

In India, Gujarat and Rajasthan are the major psyllium cultivating states because it requires cool climate and silty sandy soil. It is a rabi crop which is sown in October and November and harvested in February and March. The state of Gujarat accounts for 35% of world production of psyllium husk.

Some basics facts about Psyllium Husk

• Botanical name: Plantago Ovata husk
• Family: Plantaginaceae
• Common name: Psyllium husk / Isabgol
• Sanskrit name: Sat Isabgol.
• Parts used: Psyllium is a form of fibre made from the husk of the psyllium plant's seeds. Plant part is used as the husk.
• Native region and geographical distribution: It is native to Asia, the Mediterranean region, and North Africa and commercially grown in India. In India, the crop is mainly cultivated in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

from myUpchar.com के स्वास्थ्य संबंधी लेख
via https://www.myupchar.com/tips/isabgol-ke-fayde-aur-nuksan-in-hindi/