Medicinal rhubarb

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

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Last updated on: 23.01.2025

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Synonym(s)

officinal rheumatism; Rheum L.; rheum palmatum; rhubarb lobster

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DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

Rhubarb (Rheum) is a plant genus in the knotweed family (Polygonaceae). Rhubarb plants (there are around 60 species in the genus Rheum) are widespread in Asia. They grow as perennial herbaceous plants, forming strong underground rhizomes. The stem is erect, often hollow, and the large leaves are wavy, toothed or lobed.

Domestic rhubarb, garden or vegetable rhubarb, is processed into must, jam, etc.

The dried roots of the medicinal rhubarb, Rheum palmatum, or the Chinese rhubarb, Rheum officinale, are used phytotherapeutically - Rhei radix.

There are monographs for Rhei radix(HMPC, ESCOP, Ph.Eur.8, Commission E) for the indication constipation.

LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.

  1. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 178-179
  2. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/rhabarber.php
  3. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 550-553

Authors

Last updated on: 23.01.2025

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter AltmeyerProf. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles