So after you found out last post about the elusive “perfect poo“, I bet you all want to know how you can improve your poop, don’tcha?
Well aside from, you know, eating better, which I am sure you are all working on anyway… a great tool in your quest for great bowel movements is something called psyllium husk.
Psyllium husk is the shell of the seeds of the psyllium plant. To be honest, I know nothing about this plant, but I do know all about its husks and why you might want to take them.
Psyllium is Just Fiber, Baby
Essentially psyllium is just a fiber supplement. It’s almost always the basis of famous commercial fiber supplements that you’ve probably seen your grandma take, like Metamucil. Luckily if you just buy the straight husks (which you can find in bulk bins and in health stores) and skip the name brand, they are very affordable and last you a good long time.
Psyllium is a perfect soluble fiber… when you consume it, it goes unchanged and undigested through your system, but what it does do is absorb water which causes it to gel up. It’s soft, cushy… your intestines love it because unlike wheat bran and other kinds of scratchy, insoluble fiber that society wrongly tells you you should eat lots of, it doesn’t irritate the gut walls. Taking it will add bulk to your stool, making it big… and that is a good thing because if your poo is too narrow, your intestines have a hard time trying to “grab” it and move it along. It will also soften it up – so it’s in this way that psyllium helps to relieve constipation! Yay!
On the other hand, it can also help to relieve diarrhea if that is your problem, as the water it absorbs can firm up the stool and slow its transit time.
The best thing about psyllium though is that as it gels up, it also absorbs all sorts of toxins, wastes, and bad bacteria off the sides of the intestines and then helps to carry it out of your system. This is something we definitely want!
Things to Remember About Taking Psyllium
Okay so if you want to take psyllium, here are some things you should remember:
- Start slow. 1-3 teaspoons per day is the recommended dosage, and if you jump straight into 3 teaspoons, you may experience gas and bloating, as your body isn’t used to the fiber. If you do experience this, just cut way back and work your way up again.
- Take it by putting your teaspoon or so in a full glass of water and drink ‘er down. If you don’t find that pleasant, you could also just sprinkle it on your food too… but the thing is that when you are taking psyllium, you must remember to drink lots and lots of water and liquids throughout the day. The water it absorbs from your body is fairly significant, and if if you don’t drink enough water, you could get dehydrated or end up constipated again. 6-8 glasses of water or herbal teas should do the trick.
- Don’t take the psyllium at the same time as other supplements or drugs or it may interfere with their absorption into your body! Give yourself an hour or so on each side of taking the psyllium before you take other supplements.
- It is rare, but sometimes people do get significant allergic reactions to psyllium. If you notice any immediate reactions when you start to take it, stop using it!
What do you think about psyllium? Gonna give it a shot?
21 Responses
Psyllium husk really is great, especially for any sort of cleansing or pre-fasting stuff. I would avoid Metamucil though, they add some sugars and artificial flavors/colors to their psyllium husk.
By the way Tracy, have you ever seen a movie called Pumzi? You should watch it, I think you’d like it. You can see it on Youtube if you just look up “Pumzi,” it’s only like 20 minutes long.
I watched the Pumzi trailer, looks very interesting! I will try and remember to watch it if I get some time… but time is lacking when you run a blog and don’t have the internet 🙁 Oh well! I’ll do my best!
Hey Tracy… I bought some psyllium here in France but mine is a very dark coloured grain/seed rather than what seems to be a whitish colour in your picture. Do you know anything about the possible differences between these??
Thanks!
It’s just a slightly different variety of the plant… apparently it is actually called “French Psyllium”… I think it’s all the same thing though 🙂
I have hated bran flakes all my life, with or without raisins, so guess what?
I tried the loose-pack psyllium first. It’s cheaper and I had no problem with swallowing it, but it’s messy and awkward to pack along on travels. So then I switched to the “Lady Soma Detox”. The packets of pills last for 7 days, and are an EXCELLENT psylium husk supplement. The capsules are convenient. Drink plenty of water! (But that’s a good idea anyway.)
Hi Tracy, Good job.
I like to watch your videos. Psyllium, yes it worked for me. I had been facing constipation ever since I came to Australia(at first I though you are an Australian). Anyway my mother suggested this. I take 2 spoons with warm milk at night. Sometimes mix it with milk and drink instantly (as with time it absorbs liquid and becomes somewhat gummy) and sometimes just putting a spoonful in mouth and then drinking milk to swallow it. Anyway back to your blog. I’ve found this helpful. I highly appreciate that you don’t hesitate to share anything you think might be helpful for others out there (like your video about mens. cup).Great. I’veread your book and found it helpful but Tracy wha is that which worked in combating your acne? I also have acneeee. and this is irriating me. please help me. Thank you as I am sure you are gonna suggest me .
..Hey Tracy, I know this might sound stupid. But I found a website that should be able to cure you for constipation and IBS and among other stuff that affects your reer-end and erm.. Apparently, the website says that Fiber is actually very bad if it’s in high amounts. There is too much about it to write here. But I can link you to the website.
http://www.gutsense.org/fibermenace/about_fm.html
I suggest you go read some of the articles. :p It’s a very eyeopener.
Hi Adel,
Oh yeah, I’ve heard of that book and school of thought. I have no idea who is correct. I could be dead wrong about psyllium! haah It’s one of those things… this person says this, that person says that. I’m not saying fiber menace isn’t correct, I just don’t know anymore and throw up my hands in resignation! haha
Yeah I guess. :p Thing is, I’ve been really constipated lately and fiber hasn’t really done much to help me.. I think I’m going to try out some of his advice to see if it helps. 😛
Do it!
Hey Tracy,
Can I take my Psyllium Husk with turmeric? It’s just because i drink both with water and it seemed easier and faster to mix them together.
Thank you.
Hi Kat, I don’t know of those exact effects, if psyllium would reduce the effectiveness of the turmeric or not.
Hi Cat,
Did you ever get an answer on whether or not it is a good idea to take your psyllium with turmeric? I do the same thing.
yes a little tumeric is no problem . tumeric is good too
Hi Tracy,
I am totally constipated and really looking to giving this a shot. Quick question – What brand of psyllium husk do you use and where do you buy it from?
Thanks.
Hi Bee, make sure you start slow… start with a little bit each day and work your way up over a couple weeks. And drink lots of water. Also just to note – it seems like for some people it really helps constipation and other people it makes it worse. So if it’s not working, don’t keep on with it!
As for where to get it.. I don’t recommend any particular brand, most health food stores should have it. Or you can order a bag on amazon.
I do notice my skin looks better the day after doing a psyllium husk cleanse – very nice to read a logical reason.
However, after taking psyllium during the day (as opposed to prior to bed), I get really hungry – not sure if you know why and what you recommend to follow up as a meal or snack an hour or two later when the hunger creeps in.
I usually go for the bowel movement every 3 days with not much problem. But now I wanted to change this habit from twice or thrice a week to once every day. So I started taking psyllium husk powder one rounded teaspoon three times a day with lots of time. Its been 5 days with same previous routine once every 3 days. How long should I continue using it to see the results?
Hi im starting my diet, im thinking about having psyllium fiber and i wanna ask if what’s better? Taking it in the morning or evening? And when will i have bowelmovent after taking it?
hello Tracy
I really like your blog and wanted to share my own experience with you.A herbalist suggested my acne suffering friend to soak 2 teaspoons of husk in a cup of water(or little more)at night,then drink the gel in morning on an empty stomach.She saw wonderful results in 3 days.I am using it for my eczema rash hoping that it helps.Wish you all the best.:)
Hi Saba — it can definitely help! I’m glad it worked for your friend. I wouldn’t expect miracles though (as getting rid of acne for good usually isn’t just a silver bullet solution), but maybe you’ll get lucky too!