The Latin term psyllium stems from the Greek psulla meaning “flea,” which refers to the flea-like size, shape, and color of the seed. Psyllium is a common name used for the plant genus Plantago. In western countries, dietary fibers from psyllium have been used extensively both as pharmacological supplements, and food ingredients.
In United States, psyllium was introduced as a commercial product by Kellogg brothers. John Harvey Kellogg found psyllium on a trip to Sicily and introduced it at the Battle Creek Sanitarium. Beginning in the 1920’s, it was sold at the Sanitarium under the brand name “Psylla.”
In 1975, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed the establishment of monographs for nonprescription, over-the-counter (OTC) laxative, antidiarrheal, emetic, and antiemetic drug products that listed various psyllium substances (e.g., plantago seed, psyllium seed, psyllium seed husk, psyllium hemicellulose, and psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid) as safe and effective bulk-forming laxative active ingredients for short-term relief of constipation.
In 1998, FDA approved the following health claim for psyllium: ‘3–12 g soluble fiber from psyllium seed husk when included as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.’
History of Psyllium
