Turkish rhubarb/Rheum palmatum is a species of flowering plant in the knotweed family Polygonaceae. It is commonly called Chinese rhubarb, ornamental rhubarb,[rx] Turkey rhubarb[rx] or East Indian rhubarb.[rx] Rheum palmatum is a herbaceous perennial related to the edible rhubarb. It is primarily used in traditional medicine, and as an ornamental subject in the garden.
| Turkish rhubarb Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Turkish rhubarb |
| Scientific Name: | Rheum Palmatum |
| Origin | Western China, Northern Tibet, and The Mongolian Plateau |
| Taste | Bitter |
Turkish rhubarb with the botanical name Rheum Palmatum belongs to the rhubarb family. The root helps to stimulate activity in various body systems. It is used for at least 2000 years in Chinese traditional and alternative medicine. Rhubarb root was mentioned in the Chinese medical text Divine Husbandman’s Classic of Materia Medica nearly two centuries before Christ. The herb is inherent to Western China, Northern Tibet, and the Mongolian Plateau which is also cultivated extensively in other parts of the world. Roots are harvested in September-October and only when the plants are at least 6 years old for effectiveness.
| Name | Turkish rhubarb |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rheum Palmatum |
| Native | Western China, Northern Tibet and The Mongolian Plateau |
| Common/English Name | Chinese rhubarb, Turkish rhubarb, Ornamental rhubarb, Turkey rhubarb, Indian rhubarb, Russian rhubarb, Rhubarb root |
| Name in Other Languages | Spanish: Ruibarbo de Levante; Chinese: zhang ye da huang (掌叶大黄); Czech: reveň dlanitá; Danish: ægte rabarber, kronerabarber, håndbladet rabarber, læge-rabarber, prydrabarber; Dutch: russische rhabarber. English: chinese rhubarb, red-flowered rhubarb; Finnish: koristeraparperi; French: rhubarbe médicinale, rhubarbe de chine, rhubarbe ornementale, rhubarbe palmée; German: handlappiger rhabarber, chinesischer rhabarber, medizinalrhabarber; Greek: raventi (ραβέντι), rion (ρήον); Hungarian: kínai rebarbara, díszrebarbara, tenyeres rebarbara; Japanese: daiou (ダイオウ), daiou (だ いおう), daiou (大黄); Norwegian: kronrabarbra, prydrabarbra; Polish: rabarbar dłoniasty, rzewień dłoniasty. Portuguese: rabárbarbo, ruibarbo-da-rússia; Sanskrit: amlaparni; Swedish: flikrabarber, läkerabarber; Tamil: revalchini kattai, variatoo kalung; Urdu: rewand chini |
| Plant Growth Habit | Glabrous, perennial aromatic herb |
| Soil | Well-drained |
| Plant Size | 120 to 200 cm high |
| Root | Thick, oval |
| Stem | Erect, round, hollow, 2 m high |
| Leaf | Rounded, two to three feet |
| Flowering Season | June to July |
| Flower | 1 to 2 mm in diameter, yellow |
| Taste | Bitter |
| Fruit Season | July to August |
The root is a remedy that promotes the activity of the stomach, bowels, and liver by promoting the flow of digestive juices including bile. It is used for treating various health problems such as gastrointestinal problems, cancer, high cholesterol, hypertension, burns, and peptic ulcers. As it acts as a purgative, it is found in herbal colon cleansing formulas. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant activities.
It is rich in various vitamins and minerals containing Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and some of the B complex vitamins. Minerals are chlorine, calcium, iodine, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, manganese, sodium, silicon, potassium, zinc, and sulfur. The active principles are anthraquinones with purgative properties and bitters as well as tannins with opposite effects.
Health Benefits of Rhubarb Roots
- Women’s health
The double-blinded and randomized study shows that rhubarb, when included to the diet by perimenopausal women for 12 weeks, showed a significant decrease in severity as well as the frequency of menopausal symptoms. It has blood-clotting properties that promote clotting as well as prevention of excess bleeding during menopause.
- Cleanse colon
Turkey rhubarb has a purgative activity that helps to wipe out bad bacteria from the gut. It helps to cure diarrhea.
- Weight Loss
Chinese rhubarb assists to promote weight loss. It has purgative properties that enhance effective elimination. Studies show that rhubarb root helps in the accumulation of fat in the intestine by aiding weight loss.
- Skin conditions
Turkey rhubarb has a high content of astringent and antibacterial properties. It effectively treats various skin conditions such as sores and burns. It promotes bleeding and is used as a cure for various minor injuries.
- Renal failure
Rhubarb root helps to alleviate and thwart the risk related to renal failure.
- Intestinal bleeding
It helps to heal bleeding due to gastrointestinal conditions. It helps to eliminate excessive bleeding, controls bleeding, and cut down the need of using the blood-clotting drug.
- Lowers cholesterol levels
It helps to lower the levels of low-density lipoprotein. The presence of excess bad cholesterol has a negative impact on health including the heart. Add roots to the daily diet to maintain heart health and lower the chances of arteriosclerosis.
- Menstrual health
Turkey rhubarb has anti-inflammatory properties which come due to tannins and anthraquinones. It also helps to control bleeding. Women can use it during painful menstruation for easing cramps and control excessive bleeding.
- Lowers the chances of cancer
Turkey rhubarb has tannins and anthraquinones that offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to eliminate free radicals and reduce oxidative damages by lowering the chances of cancer. The presence of anthraquinones eliminates tumor cells by preventing metastasis. Emodin is an anthraquinone that induces suicidal tendencies in cancer cells and prevents the progression of the cell cycle. It prevents absorption of glucose by cancer cells and modifies membranes of these cells to slaught them.
Traditional uses
- Leaves stem are consumed raw or cooked.
- The plant is effective in treating cancer.
- Consume the roots internally for treating diarrhea chronic constipation, gall bladder and liver complaints, menstrual problems, hemorrhoids and skin eruptions due to toxins accumulation.
- Use the roots externally for treating burns.
- Use it for treating diarrhea in teething children.
- In Chinese medicine, roots are used for treating various medical conditions such as diarrhea, constipation, immunosuppression, peptic ulcers, cancer and high blood pressure.
- In ancient China, roots are used to cure stomach ailments and also used as a poultice for edema and fevers.
Precautions
- People with arthritis, rheumatism, kidney stones, gout, and hyperacidity should take it with caution because it could worsen the condition.
- Its laxative effect may result in electrolyte imbalances.
- Usage of rhubarb root for longer time period results from problems with water and electrolyte balance such as potassium loss.
- The rhubarb root causes the side effects such as nausea/vomiting, abdominal discomfort, kidney and liver damage and severe allergic reaction.
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