What is it
Rhubarb (Rheum species) is a perennial herbaceous plant present in the wild in Europe and Asia with about 60 species. Equipped with a large rhizome, it can reach a height of around two meters. The leaves are large and supported by a long fleshy stem and the flowers, white-yellowish or purple are collected in panicles.
Rhubarb has both food and medicinal use, for the latter the species of choice is Rheum palmatum, also known as Chinese rhubarb.
For food purposes, the long reddish leaf stem is used mainly for jams or as a bitterness in tonic-digestive drinks and in numerous preparations.
The use of the leaves as a substitute for spinach is not recommended due to the high content of oxalic acid which, in addition to irritating the intestinal mucosa and favoring the formation of kidney stones, at high doses is toxic.
When it can be used
Taken at low dosages it mainly has a digestive function and mildly laxative. At higher dosages it exerts a real purgative action.
However, it should be taken only in the presence of occasional episodes of constipation since continuous use for more than eight to ten days causes addiction, resulting in lower effectiveness and the risk of worsening constipation.
Mechanism of action
Rhubarb is rich in polyphenols, and in particular flavonoids and tannins, and anthracene derivatives (reine) to which must be mainly ascribed the ability to stimulate the secretion of gastric juices, the excretion of bile from the gallbladder and intestinal peristalsis.
At low doses this action is accompanied by a mild laxative effect due to the increase in intestinal smooth muscle motility, which however becomes purgative at higher doses due to the reduced reabsorption of water and mineral salts induced by its active ingredients.
What it looks like
The herbal product can be presented in the form of infusion, hydroalcoholic extract or powder. The best form, however, is the nebulized dry extract and titrated in hydroxyanthracene derivatives expressed as a minimum of 5% reine.
Posology
The dosage of the dry extract ranges from 2 to 4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. The titration in anthracene derivatives, expressed as reine, must be 5%. It is preferable that the intake is done in a single evening dose.
Effects
It can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and a drop in potassium levels.
It is contraindicated in children under 12 years, pregnant and lactating (makes the taste of milk unpleasant to the newborn), in case of intestinal occlusion or sub-occlusion and in those suffering from diverticula.
Its intake may interfere with drugs used in cardiac arrhythmias (quinidine, digitalis, beta blockers), diuretics, vincamine and fenoxedil.
Nutritional values
100 grams of rhubarb contain:
| Kcal | 21 |
| Protein | 0.9 g |
| Fats | 0.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4.54 g |
| Potassium | 288 mg |
| Soccer | 86 mg |
| Phosphorus | 14 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Sodium | 4 mg |
| Iron | 0.22 mg |
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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