Rheum palmatum
Description: Chinese physicians today use rhubarb root teas to treat stubborn infections of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus. A powder of rhubarb root and licorice can be made into a plaster to treat boils and furuncles.
Like buckthorn, cascara sagrada, frangula, and senna, turkey rhubarb encourages bowel movement by inhibiting the smooth muscles that retain stool and stimulating the smooth muscles that push stool through the intestine.
Typical Preparations:
Traditionally used as a tea or tincture. Combined with cinnamon to relieve chronic constipation, Mugwort to relieve flank pain, peony for constipation and hemorrhoids, or with magnolia bark and bitter orange for constipation accompanied by high fever. May also be taken as a capsule for convenience.
Medicinal Precautions:
If you experience cramping, youÍve taken too much. On the other hand, if you take only a tiny amount of rhubarb, you will become constipated. In very small doses, the tannins in rhubarb are more effective than the purgative chemicals and the herb actually causes constipation.
Don't take rhubarb or any other stimulant laxative if you take Lasix (furosemide); the combination can lead to potassium depletion. Not known to be safe during pregnancy, although no complications have ever been reported. Not recommended for long term use.
What you receive: Herb that has been cut & sifted or ground and comes in a food grade poly Ziploc baggie to retain freshness.