Rhubarb is a perennial and cool-season plant that is resistant to drought and winter hardy. The crown consists of buds and fleshy rhizomes. In the spring, edible leaves and petioles appear. Before it became a vital part of the human diet, Rhubarb was used in folk medicines. It prefers moist soil, a temperate climate, and areas with an adequate amount of sun. Rhubarb is used as a source of fiber, pigment, and food in addition to treating various disorders.

Name Rhubarb
Scientific Name Rheum rhabarbarum
Native Native to Siberia
For over 5000 years, it is used as a medicinal plant in Asia. Rhubarb was a renowned vegetable in Asia but was not grown widely in the past.
Common/English Name Garden rhubarb, Pieplant, Rhubarb, österreichischer Rhabarber, Rabarbaro, Rabarbaro commune, Ruibarbo, Ruibarbo,  Wineplant, Rabarber, Daehwang
Name in Other Languages German: Rhabarber,
Dutch: rabarber,
Swedish: rabarber,
Danish: rabarber,
Norwegian: rabarbra,
Icelandic: rabarbari,
French: rhubarbe,
Italian: rabarbaro,
Spanish: ruibarbo,
Catalan: ruibarbre,
Portuguese: ruibarbo,
Romanian: revent,
Russian: ревень – revenj,
Polish: rabarbar,
Czech: reveň,
Bulgarian: равен,
Croatian: rabarbara,
Serb: рабарбара,
Slovenian: rabarbara,
Ukrainian: rumbambar,
Lithuanian: rabarbaras,
Albanian: raven,
Turkish: ravent,
Hungarian: rebarbara,
Finnish: raparperi
Plant Growth Habit Herbaceous
Growing Climate Cool
Soil Well-drained
Plant Size Height and Width: 2-4 feet
Lifespan Perennial, 10-15 years in wild
Root Orange tinted, brown, fibrous and woody
Stem Fleshy, red, pink or light green; Length: 12-18 inches
Leaf Heart shaped, fan like, triangular, dark green, Diameter: 30 cm
Petiole Thick, red skinned, Length: 18 inches long, Diameter: 1-2 inches
Stalk shape and size Long, thin, resembles celery, Height: 24 inches
Stalk color Deep red-light green
Flowering Season June
Flower Green white-rose red, hermaphrodite
Flesh color White
Flavor/aroma Tart sweet
Stalk taste Sour
Varieties/Types
  • Tilden
  • Victoria
  • Valentine
  • MacDonald
  • Crimson
  • Canada Red
  • Red Cherry
  • Ruby Red
Major Nutritions (Raw) Vitamin K (phylloquinone) 35.7 µg (29.75%)
Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 9.8 mg (10.89%)
Calcium, Ca 105 mg (10.50%)
Manganese, Mn 0.239 mg (10.39%)
Potassium, K 351 mg (7.47%)
Total dietary Fiber 2.2 g (5.79%)
Carbohydrate 5.54 g (4.26%)
Magnesium, Mg 15 mg (3.57%)
Iron, Fe 0.27 mg (3.38%)
Copper, Cu 0.026 mg (2.89%)
Health Benefits
  • Losing weight
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Supports digestion
  • Prevent Alzheimer’s
  • Healthy bones
  • Prevent cancer
  • Circulates blood
  • Kidney stones
  • Maintains blood pressure
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Antibacterial activity
Calories in 1 cup diced (122 gm) 26 Kcal.
Traditional uses
  • The root is considered to be antiseptic, anticholesterolemic, antispasmodic, antitumor, astringent, aperient, demulcent, cholagogue, diuretic, purgative, laxative, tonic, and stomachic.
  • It is taken in small doses as an astringent and tonic for the digestive system whereas larger doses are used as a mild laxative.
  • The internal use of roots helps to treat diarrhea, constipation, hemorrhoids, skin eruptions, liver and gall bladder ailments as well as menstrual problems.
  • The external usage of roots helps to treat burns.
  • The dried root is used to prepare a homeopathic.
  • It is used to treat diarrhea in teething children.
  • In Chinese medicine, the root is used as a vital ingredient that helps to lower the level of blood glucose.
  • It helps to induce vomiting.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, the roots of Rhubarb are used as a laxative to treat millennia.
  • In Korea and China, the extract made from Rhubarb is used to prevent ulcers, fever, cancer, toothaches, headaches, and liver conditions.
  • The rhizomes and dried roots help to treat ailments such as constipation, poor blood circulation, and senility.
  • Rhubarb helps to treat cold sores.
Precautions
  • Rhubarb causes side effects such as gastrointestinal problems.
  • Due to the presence of oxalic acid in the leaves, it could create additional health problems.
  • Pregnant women, kidney, or liver patients should consult the doctor before using it medicinally.
  • Leaf has oxalate can which can cause toxic symptoms such as burning in the throat, eyes, and mouth, problems in breathing, and skin edema.
  • Severely, it could lead to kidney failure, coma, convulsions, and death.
  • People having kidney ailments, gout and rheumatoid arthritis should avoid this food.
  • Rhubarb can cause stomach pain, uterine contractions, and watery diarrhea.
  • The long use can lead to bone loss, muscular weakness, irregular heart rhythm, and potassium loss.
  • It is not safe for the children.
  • Rhubarb can worsen the condition of diarrhea or constipation.
  • People having kidney stones should not take rhubarb.
How to Eat
  • Rhubarb is used to make pies and desserts.
  • The stalks are cooked with other fruit to add acidity in compotes, jams, sauces, and desserts.
  • The stalks are used in pies or used with strawberries to add sweetness.
  • Rhubarb is used to make jams and jellies.
  • Rhubarb is also preserved by freezing or canning.
  • It is used in savory dishes and pickled as well.
  • Rhubarb can be infused with fruit juice.
  • It is used to prepare tarts, crumbs, puddings, muffins, pancakes, strudel etc.
  • It can be included in cakes, bread and made a refreshing juice.
  • Rhubarb is combined with blueberries, strawberries, and peaches.
  • Rhubarb can be consumed in form of smoothies and wines.
  • It is used as an ingredient in baked goods.
Other Facts
  • The taste of the stalk is determined by its color.
  • The leaves of the Rhubarb are poisonous.
  • Flowers are self-pollinated.
  • The stalks are an excellent source of vitamin K and C, dietary fibers, manganese, calcium, and potassium.
  • Rhubarb is called pie plant as it is mostly used for preparing pies.
  • Rhubarb leaves are used to repel insects.
  • In the 16th century, Rhubarb was considered more valuable than cinnamon in France, and in the 17th century, it was more expensive in comparison to opium in England.
  • Rhubarb belongs to the Polygonaceae family which also includes sorrel and buckwheat.
  • The red stalks possess more minerals and vitamins in comparison to the green.