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Information about the herb Rheum Palmatum
Rheum palmatum, also known as Rhubarb Root is part of the Polygonaceae plant family. Native
to China and Tibet.
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General Information
Botanical Name: Rheum palmatum (also known as Rheum officinale and Rheum tanguticum )
Plant Family: Polygonaceae
Common
name: Chinese Rhubarb, Da Huang (Mandarin), East India Rhubarb,
Rhubarb Root, Turkey Rhubarb
Tradition: Used in traditional Chinese medicine
Plant Constituents of Rheum Palmatum
Contains:
- 3-5% anthraquinones mostly as glycosides
- glucosides yielding
- Emodin
- Rhein
- mineral compounds especially Oxalate of Calcium
- plant phenolics
- resinous Rheopurgarin yielding
- Chrysophanic acid
- Rheochrysidin
- sennoside
- tannins including
- Rheo-tannic
Action:
- anti-bacterial [an agent that destroys bacteria; bactericide]
- anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
- anti-pyretic [an agent which prevents or reduces fevers; febrifuge]
- anti-uremic
- aperient [a mild stimulant producing a natural movement of the bowels; a gentle purgative
- appetizer [an agent that excites the appetite]
- astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
- bitter [applied to bitter tasting drugs which act on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to increase appetite and promote digestion]
- cold
- drains heat
- detoxicant
- hemostatic [an agent that controls bleeding]
- laxative [an agent promoting evacuation of the bowels; a mild purgative]
- purgative [an agent that produces a vigorous emptying of the bowels, more drastic than a laxative or aperient]
- stomachic [an agent that strengthens, stimulates or tones the stomach]
- tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]
Medicinal Parts Used: Root and rhizome, powdered root
Rhubarb Root is used for:
Blood Conditions
- breaks up congealed blood
- hyperlipidemia (in conjunction with other treatments)
- invigorates blood
Female Conditions
- amenorrhea due to blood stasis
Gastrointestinal Conditions
- abdominal pain
- atonic dyspepsia (in small doses)
- bacillary dysentery
- constipation
- diarrhea caused by an irritating body in the intestines
- dysentery
- enteritis
- gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- increases the flow of saliva (when chewed)
- stimulates appetite and digestion (cold extract in small doses)
- torpor and debility of the digestive organs (in small doses)
Genitourinary System Conditions
- early stages of chronic renal failure (in conjunction with other agents)
Glandular Conditions
- acute pancreatitis (in conjunction with other agents)
Liver Conditions
- acute hepatitis (in conjunction with other agents)
- acute cholecystitis
- jaundice due to damp heat
Other Conditions
- cancer
- fevers
Rhubarb Root is both laxative and astringent dependent on dosage given
- as a laxative for constipation - higher end of dosage range
- as an astringent for diarrhea - lower end of dosage range
Dosage:
- 1-6g/day dried root/rhizome
- 2-12mL/day of 1:2 fluid extract
Caution:
- aggravates tendency towards chronic constipation if used over a long time
- should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women
- the leaf blades should not be used as they contain enough oxalic acid to cause poisoning
Global Herbal Supplies has Rheum palmatum available in the following forms:
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
