The rhubarb plant has been used since ancient times for medicinal purposes. It was mentioned in the writings of Shen-Nung, a Chinese Emperor, 2700 years B.C. The great Greek physician, pharmacologist, botanist, and author Pedanius Dioscorides, In the 1st century A.D., introduced its use to Europe.
Rhubarb plant
Rhubarb Plant Scientific Facts
French: Rhubarbe.
Spanish: Ruibarbo.
Environment: Native to central and eastern Asia, especially China, its cultivation has spread worldwide.
Description: The rhubarb plant is a Vivacious member of the Polygonaceae family. It grows from 1 to 2 m high and has large, palm-shaped leaves and a large rhizome with a characteristic smell.
Parts of the plant used medicinally: The root.
Healing Properties and Warning
The rhubarb plant root contains anthraquinonic derivatives (free anthraquinones and glycosides), to which the plant owes its laxative and purgative properties, and tannin, which gives it astringent, stimulating, and digestive properties. Its effects depend on the dose taken:
Low doses (0.1-0.5 g of root powder or half a cup of infusion): Tannin’s astringent properties predominate. It stops diarrhea, increases appetite, and stimulates the functions of the stomach (eupeptic: it promotes digestion) and the liver (choleretic: it relieves liver congestion and encourages bile secretion). In short, it invigorates and regulates the digestive system.
Medium doses (0.5-1 g of root powder or a cup of infusion): Anthraquinones’ Laxative properties predominate. Some 8-10 hours after intake, they produce defecation with no colic. They also present a powerful congestion-relieving effect on the liver.
High doses (1-3 g of root powder or 2-3 cups of infusion: Effective purgative and vermifuge.
WARNING! Continuous use of rhubarb can produce colitis, an inflammation of the colon or large intestine. We advise against its use in the following cases:
Pregnancy, menstruation, and hemorrhoids produce blood congestion in the pelvic organs, a severe problem in these cases.
Kidney stones have a high amount of oxalate, which forms part of kidney stones.
Other Rhubarb Species
In Europe and America, there are some similar species to common rhubarb. The medicinal properties of their roots and rhizomes are the same in all cases. Rhubarb species used in phytotherapy are these:
In medium doses, the rhubarb plant is an effective laxative with enhanced effects when consuming fruit that can regulate intestinal activity, such as apples.
Chinese rhubarb or turkey rhubarb (rheum palmatum L.).
Rheum rabarbarum L. = Rheum undulatum L. originated in Asia and has spread throughout Europe and North America. Its petioles are edible.
Rheum rhaponticum L. = Rheum undulatum Pall., whose stems and petioles are edible as any other vegetable.
How to use Rhubarb
Root powder. It usually comes in pills. The doses are those recommended above. We recommend that you begin treatment by trying low doses. The maximum dose for adults is 3 g per day; never exceed 0.05 g per year for children.
Infusion of the root, with 5-10 g per liter of water. Drink from half to three cups at night before going to bed. One cup approximately equates to 1 g of root powder.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 529, 530. Print.[rhubarb plant]