Fleawort (Plantago psyllia)

At a glance

Lifecycle: Annual
Exposure: Full sun

Cultivation

Succeeds in any moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. Cultivated for its seed which is used medicinally. Closely related to P. arenaria. There is considerable confusion over the correct name for this species. This same name was given to two different species by Linnaeus, one in 1753 and again in 1762. The species named in 1753 is sometimes held to be a synonym for P. arenaria but is here treated as P. psyllia. The species named in 1762 is now held to be P. affra.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. A sowing can be made outdoors in situ in mid to late spring if you have enough seeds.

Edible uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. Seed - sprouted and eaten in salads.

Medicinal uses

Psyllium has been used as a safe and effective laxative for thousands of years in Western herbal medicine. Both the dried seeds and the seed husks are demulcent, emollient and laxative. The jelly-like mucilage produced when psyllium is soaked in water has the ability to absorb toxins within the large bowel. Thus it helps to remove toxins from the body and can be used to reduce auto-toxicity. The macerated and decocted seeds yield a rich mucilage that is used in relieving skin irritations and reddened eyelids.

Material uses

The seeds are used in face-masks in order to soften the skin. A type of gum is obtained from the seeds and used for making fabric dressings.