psyllium (redirected from psylliums)

psyl·li·um  (sl-m)

n.

1. An annual Eurasian plant (Plantago afra) having opposite leaves and small flowers borne in dense spikes.

2. The seeds of this plant, widely used as a mild bulk laxative and sometimes added to foods as a dietary source of soluble fiber.

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[New Latin, from Greek psullion, diminutive of psulla, flea (from the plant's use against fleas).]

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psyllium [ˈsɪlɪəm]

n

(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Plants) a grain, Plantago psafra, the husks of which are used medicinally as a laxative and to reduce blood cholesterol levels

[Latin, from Greek psulla flea, due to the resemblance of the seeds to fleas]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

psyllium - plantain of Mediterranean regions whose seeds swell and become gelatinous when moist and are used as a mild laxative fleawort, Plantago psyllium, Spanish psyllium plantain - any of numerous plants of the genus Plantago; mostly small roadside or dooryard weeds with elliptic leaves and small spikes of very small flowers; seeds of some used medicinally