Psyllium is a form of fiber made from the husks of the Plantago ovata plant’s seeds. It sometimes goes by the name ispaghula.

It’s most commonly known as a laxative. However, research shows that taking psyllium is beneficial to many parts of the human body, including the heart and the pancreas.

Psyllium is a robust herb that grows around the world but is most commonly found in India, which remains the largest producer of psyllium husk today. It is also referred to as Isabghol , derived from the Sanskrit words “asp” and “ghol,” together meaning “horse flower.” The whole seed has been used in traditional  medicine for hundreds of years.

The inner seed contains many starches and fatty acids, making it an excellent natural additive for animal feed. The outer coat (the husk) is ground down into mucilage, a term describing clear, colorless, gelatinous dietary fiber that confers the majority of health benefits in both humans and animals 

Not only does it have health benefits, but its gel-like character makes it a popular addition to foods to produce desired thickening and texture