Rhubarb Root
Natural Healing Herbs
Rhubarb root is a herb commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. This vegatable usually associated with delicious pies has medicinal properties that can be used to treat intestinal disorders.
Other Names
The rhubarb associated with pie is also known as sweet round-leaved dock or the pieplant. More commonly the Chinese variety of the rhubarb plant is used in medicine. It is stronger than the other kind and is called da huang in Chinese.
Appearance
Rhubarb is a perennial plant that grows from a root stalk. It has large triangular leaves and small flowers that grow in bunches. The flowers range in color from white to red.
Origins
The plant orginally comes from Mongolia, but spread throughout Asia. It was introduced in England in the 1700s.
Part Used
Rhubarb root is used for medicinal purposes. The leaves are never consumed because they're toxic. The stalks are eaten as a vegetable.
Medicinal Uses
This herb has an astringent effect on mucous membranes. It works to tone the intestines. It can be used both internally and externally to treat a variety of conditions, including:
- constipation
- hemorrhoids
- gastroenteritis
- jaundice
- inflammation
- fever
- endometriosis
- conjunctivitis
- ulcer
- diarrhea
- pinworms
Side Effects and Warnings
This herb shouldn't be used by women who are pregnant or nursing. It also shouldn't be used by children under 12 or anyone with intestinal disorders like Crohn's disease. It should never be used as a long term solution to constipation. Chronic constipation is often caused by poor diet and lack of exercise. If you have chronic constipation talk to your doctor. Long term use of this herb could cause muscle weakness and even cardiac arrhythmias. Eventually, it could cause liver damage.
You may experience some intestinal cramping when you take this herb. If this happens you should take a smaller dose. You should take this herb under the supervision of a trained herbalist or doctor of Chinese Medicine.
If you found this information useful, check out my complete listing of herbs at my Herb Index. You can find a listing of ailments and their natural treatments on my Free Home Remedies page.
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