The efficacy and function of Rhubarb[Picture]

Rhubarb [Picture] is a very common Chinese medicine in our daily life and is also very important in our daily life. However, some people don’t know much about the efficacy and functions of Rhubarb [Picture], so let us learn about it in detail below.

[Other names] Red tendon rhubarb, jinbuhuan [Jiangxi, Hubei], blood sanqi, snow lotus, fresh indigo [Jiangsu Suzhou]

[Source] It is a plant of the genus Rumex in the Polygonaceae family, Rumex madaio Makino [R. daiwoo Makino], and its roots and leaves are used as medicine. Dig up the roots in autumn, wash, slice, and use them dried or fresh. The leaves are picked as needed.

[Original form] Perennial herb, about 1 meter high. The roots are thick, large and yellow. The stem is erect, purple-green. Basal leaves have long petioles; leaf blades are ovate or ovate-elliptic, 15-25 cm long, 6-16 cm wide, obtuse at apex, rounded or cordate at base, entire, with obvious warty protrusions on the back; stem leaves are ovate-lanceolate, alternate, leaves on the upper part of the stem gradually become smaller and become bracts, with red veins; stipules are membranous. Small light green flowers bloom in summer. The flower axis emerges from the leaf axils, and many small flowers are arranged in whorls into large panicles. The perianth has 6 pieces, 6 stamens, and the pistil has a 1-chambered ovary with 3 styles at the top and hairy stigmas. Achenes are ovate, 3-ribbed, and dark brown.

[Habitat distribution] Grown at the foot of mountains, roadsides, and fields; also cultivated. Distributed in provinces such as Shandong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Henan, Hubei, Hunan and Guangdong.

[Cultivation] It likes a cool and humid environment, is resistant to severe cold, and is not very demanding on soil, but it is not suitable for cultivation in clay or low-lying waterlogged areas. Seed propagation can be done in spring, summer and autumn, sown in rows with a row spacing of 1.5 feet, covered with soil about 1 inch, keep the soil moist, seedlings will emerge in about a week, and the sowing amount per mu is 1.5 to 2 pounds. Thin out the seedlings when they are about 1 inch tall, with a spacing of 1 foot between plants. During the growth period, adding soil 1 to 2 times can promote root growth. When aphids are infesting, you can use 1 jin of dimethoate emulsion and 2000 jin of water to spray them to kill them.

【Chemical composition】 The root contains anthraquinones.

【Pharmacological action】 This product has hemostatic effect.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, pungent, and cool.

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies, stops bleeding, removes blood stasis, promotes bowel movements, and kills insects. Used for lung abscess, hemoptysis caused by pulmonary tuberculosis, epistaxis, epidemic encephalitis B, acute and chronic hepatitis, and constipation; used externally to treat bruises, burns, carbuncles, mumps, scabies, eczema, and dermatitis.

[Usage and Dosage] 3-5 qian of roots and leaves (0.5-1 liang of fresh ones); apply appropriate amount externally, grind into powder and apply to the affected area.

[Additional prescription] 1. Epidemic encephalitis B: decocted 1-2 liang of fresh Rheum officinale leaves in water. Orally or by nasogastric administration, 2 to 3 times a day. For patients with high fever, analgin can be added; for severe or extremely severe cases, a combination of Chinese and Western medicine can be used for treatment.

[Note] There are many herbs named "Tu Da Huang", such as Rumex japonicus Houtt., Rumex crispus L., Rumex patientia L., Rumex nepalensis Spreng. and Rheum franzenbachii Munt, which are also called "Tu Da Huang" in different regions.

【Excerpt】 National Compendium of Chinese Herbal Medicines

[Source] Illustrated Records of Plant Names and Realities

Nowadays, people's life pressure is constantly increasing, which makes our bodies often in a state of fatigue. As a traditional Chinese medicine, Rhubarb [Picture] has a certain regulating effect on the body. I hope it will be helpful to everyone.