What is isabgol (psyllium husk)?

Isabgol is the Hindi and trade name for the husk, the outer seed coat, of Plantago ovata, an annual herb grown as a winter crop. Internationally it is sold as psyllium husk or psyllium husk powder, and its pharmacopoeial name is ispaghula. The word comes from the Persian isap-ghol, "horse ear", a reference to the shape of the seed.

Why the husk matters

The husk is valued for its mucilage, a soluble fibre that swells to several times its weight in water. That swelling behaviour is what manufacturers rely on, and it is why buyers test for swell volume. We make no health claims here. What the ingredient may be used for in a finished product is a matter for your own regulatory and labelling advice.

Where it is grown

India supplies an estimated 80 to 90 percent of the world's psyllium output, with the crop concentrated in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Unjha and Sidhpur in Gujarat are the key market and processing hubs. These are industry estimates, and they vary by year and source.

Forms in the trade

Purity grades

Purity is graded by husk content and is the main price differentiator. The common commercial grades are 85 percent (lower-cost commodity and industrial use), 95 percent (mainstream food and pharma use) and 98 to 99 percent or more (premium pharmaceutical and supplement use, often called Sat-Isabgol). The next guide, psyllium husk quality parameters, explains the other numbers a buyer should ask for.

End-use categories

• Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical: fibre supplement capsules and sachets
• Food: gluten-free baking, bakery binders, breakfast cereals, health mixes
• Industrial: textile sizing, paper and some cosmetic formulations, in smaller volumes

Handling and classification

Psyllium is highly hygroscopic. It swells or cakes if exposed to humidity, so it ships in bags with moisture-barrier liners. It is classified under HS heading 1211.90, and the exact 8-digit code can differ by form, so confirm it with your customs broker.

DVG supplies psyllium husk, powder, seed and granules from India. See the Isabgol dossier for specifications.