Abstract
Herbs or medicinal plants have gained significant attention due to their
bioactive compounds that could act as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
anticancer agents, etc. Psyllium husk (Plantago ovata) is an Indian native herb. The
water-loving (hydrophilic) mucilloid and water-soluble fiber derived from Plantago
ovata have been used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine as a crucial remedial
mediator of constipation. Psyllium is a rich source of fiber and has many other remedial
properties, including lowering the level of cholesterol, raising energy, relaxing
inflammation, serving as an antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic, laxative, and also used in
hemorrhoid therapy, and as weight loss agent. The blood serum cholesterol-lowering
property of the psyllium husk had drawn the researchers' main focus; thus, Psyllium is thought to be a plausible herbal agent helpful in treating hyperlipidemia. In various
animal models, cholesterol levels are reduced by binding Psyllium husk with bile acids
in the intestinal, thereby lowering its absorption rate. Screening literature has
demonstrated that Psyllium husk could be utilized as an antidiarrheal mediator to cope
with the diarrheal symptoms associated with poultry farming disorders. Additionally,
Psyllium may also benefit various poultry species' production and growth traits. The
present chapter explored Psyllium's potential responsibility for coping the
hypercholesterolemia and the uses of psyllium husk as a safe feed additive in poultry
farming for organic production and lowering cholesterol in meat and for production of
functional foods.
Keywords: Dietary fiber, Growth, Hypocholesterolemic, Poultry, Psyllium.