1 ounce $ 1.34

General Description: Large and sturdy perennial, large leaves, stem up to 2-3 m high; native to Asia, China, India and southern Siberia but widely cultivated. Parts used are dried rhizomes and roots with periderm removed. Only from plants over 3 years old. R. palmatum and R. officinale are considered the best quality of Rhubarb for medicinal preparations.

Chemical Composition: contains active constituents of anthraglycosides, anthraquinones such as emodin and sennidin, tannins, volatile oils, calcium oxalate, fatty acids, sugars, rutin, flavonoids, starch, and resins.

Pharmacology or Biological Activities:
Turkey Rhubarb has both astringent and cathartic properties. Other pharmacological properties include anti-tumor, antibacterial, antimicrobial, hypotensive and anti inflammatory. May increase cardiac contractility as well as slow progression of diabetic nephropathy and chronic renal failure.

Traditional/Historical Medicine: Considered a very valuable medicinal herb that has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine. Treatments include constipation, chronic diarrhea, cirrhosis of the liver, inflammation of intestines, bleeding ulcers, thermal burns, jaundice, kidney stones, gout, headache, delirium, edema, abdominal pain, sores and cancers. Turkey Rhubarb is one of the ingredients in the cancer treatment known as Essiac.

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References:
Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients 2nd edition Leung & Foster

Nursing Herbal Medicine Handbook

The Green Pharmacy (James A. Duke, Ph.D.)

The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook (Alan Tillotson, Ph.D.)