The efficacy and function of Hetao rhubarb

Hetao rhubarb is a famous traditional and commonly used Chinese medicinal material in my country with a long history of application. Today we will learn about Hetao rhubarb.

[Alias] It is the root and rhizome of the Polygonum aviculare plant.

[Source] Medicinal material source: the roots and rhizomes of the Polygonum multiflorum plant.

[Original form] Tall herb with straight stems, 80-20cm high. Basal leaves, petiole semi-terete; leaf blade gray-green, ovate to broadly ovate, obtuse and acute at apex, cordate at base, slightly wavy to slightly wrinkled margin, smooth and glabrous on both sides; stem leaves are smaller, leaflets are shorter, leaf blades are ovate to ovate-lanceolate; stipule sheath embraces the stem, 5-8cm long, rough on the outside. Inflorescence is large panicle, 2-3 times branched; flowers are relatively large, with slender pedicels; tepals are oblong, green on the back, with sparse reticular veins, and nearly white edges; stamens are nearly equal in length to tepals; pistil style is relatively short, spreading horizontally, with a small, rounded stigma. The fruit is round to nearly round, with length and width almost equal. Seeds broadly ovate.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Grown on shady and moist hillsides and ravines.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The rhizome is conical in shape, 5-20cm long and 2-7cm in diameter; it is usually cut longitudinally into strips or pieces. Those with cork are gray-brown or gray-black, with many grooves and longitudinal wrinkles on the surface. After removing the cork, the surface is yellow-brown.

[Chemical composition] The root and rhizome of Rhubarb contain 1.66% of total anthraquinones, of which 1.54% are bound anthraquinones with aloe-emodin, emodin, hyscion and chrysophanol as aglycones, and 0.12% are free anthraquinones. It also contains edible rhapontin and a large amount of tannins [1], Rhubarb polysaccharide (RHP) [2], and monosaccharides to polysaccharides RHP-A and RHp-B [3].

【Pharmacological action】 1. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects: Intraperitoneal injection of 1.5 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg and 0.17 g/kg of this extract has a significant inhibitory effect on egg white-induced paw swelling in rats; oral administration of the same dose also has a certain inhibitory effect on formaldehyde-induced paw swelling in rats; oral administration of 1.5 g/kg of this extract also has a significant inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced peritonitis in mice [1]. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of Hetao rhubarb polysaccharide (RHP) had a significant inhibitory effect on carrageenan-induced foot edema in mice, with an inhibition rate of 78.4% [2]. Oral administration of 1.5 g/kg of this extract had a significant inhibitory effect on the acetic acid writhing reaction in mice, but had no significant analgesic effect in the hot plate test [1].

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; cold

【Functions and indications】Digest food and eliminate stagnation; clear the bowels and relieve heat. Staple food accumulation; abdominal distension; abdominal pain and diarrhea; constipation due to heat accumulation

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 3-9g.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": It has the functions of clearing away heat and eliminating accumulation. It is mostly used in veterinary medicine as a laxative and digestive medicine.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Although Hetao rhubarb has many magical effects, it cannot be eaten casually. We need to use the medicine according to the user's own situation. I hope everyone will not take it indiscriminately to avoid unnecessary consequences.