The efficacy and function of Rumex pubescens

The medical value of Rumex pubescens is beyond our imagination. It is very effective in treating some diseases. Rumex pubescens contains many substances that are beneficial to the human body. Let’s take a look.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the root and rhizome of Rumex pubescens of the Polygonaceae family.

[Original form] Perennial herb. The rhizome is thick and has many branches; the stem is 30-120cm tall, erect, strong, and grooved. The whole plant is glabrous, hollow, and slightly reddish or light yellow. The root leaves and the leaves at the bottom of the stem have long petioles, which can be up to 30 cm long and have grooves; the leaf blades are triangular ovate or triangular cordate, 8-14 cm long, 7-13 cm wide at the base, with a large range of leaf shape variations, obtuse at the apex, deeply cordate at the base, rounded lobes, glabrous on the surface, with rough and short hairs on the veins below, entire or slightly wrinkled and wavy; the leaves at the top of the stem are smaller, triangular narrow ovate or lanceolate, with a slightly cordate base; the stipules are long tubular and easily broken. Inflorescence conical, usually with leaves, bisexual flowers, long pedicels, joints in the middle and lower parts, 6 tepals, outer tepals ovate, about 2mm long, inner tepals elliptic-ovate, broadly ovate or round in fruiting period, 3.5-6mm long, 3-4mm wide; 6 stamens, large anthers, short filaments; 3 styles, lateral. The nutlets are triangular, dark brown and shiny. Flowering and fruiting period is June to August.

[Habitat distribution] Distributed in Northeast China, North China and other places.

[Chemical composition] The roots and rhizomes contain emodin, physcion, and chrysophanol [1].

[Pharmacological action] The antibacterial effect of the root powder water extract (1g/ml) of this product on Staphylococcus aureus in vitro is inferior to that of oxytetracycline, and its antibacterial effect on group B Streptococcus and Corynebacterium diphtheriae is equivalent to that of oxytetracycline[1].

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; cold

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and promotes defecation; detoxifies and reduces swelling. Mainly used for constipation due to heat accumulation; carbuncle, swelling, sore and scabies

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 15-30g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or boil it in water for washing.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": Roots and rhizomes: taken internally for clearing heat. Used externally to treat scabies, carbuncles and sores.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Rumex hairy-veined is a medicinal material that has existed for a long time. It is recorded in many Chinese medicine books, which shows that Rumex hairy-veined does have good medicinal value.