The efficacy and function of Rhubarb

Traditional Chinese medicine often has unexpected effects in the treatment of certain diseases, so you can choose it with confidence. However, when choosing Chinese medicine, you need to understand the medicine so that when treating the disease, you will know what kind of medicine is the best choice. Let us introduce the traditional Chinese medicine Rhubarb (Wuye Rhubarb).

[Other names] Tang rhubarb (Chinese Medicinal Plant Directory), local rhubarb, Taihuang (Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines in Northeast China), Yuhuang, Zihuang (Handbook of Datong Medicinal Plants).

[Source] It is the root and rhizome of Rheum officinale, a plant of the Polygonaceae family. Dig up in spring and autumn, slice and dry.

[Original form] Perennial herb, can reach more than 1 meter in height. The rhizome is thick and the surface is yellowish brown. The stem is stout, erect, with fine longitudinal grooves, glabrous, usually unbranched, and hollow. Basal leaves have long petioles; leaf blades are ovate to ovate-round, 10 to 13 cm long, obtuse at apex, cordate at base, wavy at margins, slightly hairy beneath; stem leaves are smaller, short-petiolated or almost sessile, stipules are oblong, dark brown, and clasping the stem. The panicle is terminal, with small, numerous, white-green flowers; the bracts are small and fleshy, containing 3 to 5 flowers; there is a joint below the middle of the pedicel; the perianth has 6 ovate petals, in 2 whorls, with the outer 3 whorls being thicker and smaller; there are 9 stamens, the ovary is triangular-ovate, and there are 3 styles. Achenes 3-ribbed, winged, cordate at base, with persistent perianth. Flowering period is summer.

[Habitat distribution] Grown on hillsides, rock crevices, and grasslands. Distributed in Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and other places.

[Properties and flavors] (Handbook of Commonly Used Chinese Herbal Medicines in Northeast China): "bitter, cold."

【Functions and indications】It can dispel heat, promote bowel movements, break up accumulations, and remove blood stasis. It is used to treat constipation due to heat accumulation, jaundice due to damp heat, carbuncles, furuncles, pain due to falls, oral ulcers and erosion, and burns due to hot water or fire.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 1 to 3 grams; or grind into powder. For external use: grind into powder and sprinkle or apply on affected area.

【Note】 "Medicinal Plants in Desert Areas of China": "Do not use if you are physically weak or before or after pregnancy."

[Additional prescription] ① For treating jaundice and constipation: 3 qian of Rheum officinale and 5 qian of Artemisia capillaris. Decoction in water. (Datong Medicinal Plant Handbook)

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

Rhubarb (Rhubarb with wavy leaves) is often used in the treatment of some diseases. It can be made into a compound prescription or used alone as needed. However, Rhubarb (Rhubarb with wavy leaves) should not be consumed blindly to avoid adverse effects on the body.