Rhubarb,More than laxative or astringent,Rhubarb Elixir and natural Anthraquinone source.
Contents
Archeology: Rhubarb and Elixir.:
Properties: Bitter in flavor, cold in nature, it is related to the spleen, stomach, large intestine, liver and heart channels.
Functions: Eliminates stagnant food by purgation, clears away fire to purge it, arrests bleeding, removes toxic substances and promotes blood circulation by removing blood stasis. Rhubarb has a long and proven history of herbal usage, its main effect being a positive and balancing effect upon the whole digestive system. It is one of the most widely used herbs in Chinese medicine.
Rhubarb Root has a purgative action for use in the treatment of constipation,but also has an astringent effect following this. It therefore has a truly cleansing action upon the gut, removing debris and then astringing with antiseptic properties as well. Note: Rhubarb Root may color the urine yellow or red.Priest tell us that it is a "mild stimulating tonic to alimentary mucous membrane, liver and gall ducts -removes viscid mucus. Small doses - tonic hepatic. Large doses - cathartic."They give the following specific indications: diarrhoea and dysentary, summer diarrhoea, functional dyspepsia.
Atonicconditions of the bowels, with debility or general relaxation, wether diarrhoea, dysentary, choleramorbus, cholera infantum.
Gastricirritation, nausea, vomiting, elongated tongue reddened at tip and edges; irritative diarrhoea with tenderness on pressure; sour smelling discharges imparting to a child a sour odour; gastro-intestinal irritation with nervous irritability, restlessness, screaming and convulsive muscular contractions; constipation, with a sense of intestinal constriction and abdominal contraction; light-coloured fecal discharge
Classical Note:
Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing :"To treat chills and cold due to obstruction of blood circulation, masses in the abdomen and stagnation of food and drink."..."Removing blood stasis, washing the stomach and intestines, weeding through the old to let the new grow, promoting circulation of essential substances from foodstuffs, regulating the spleen and stomach to promote digestion and tranquilizing the internal organs."
The Compendium of Materia Medica :"To treat diarrhea with blood and mucus, abdominal pain with tenesmus, dribbling urination, heat of the excess type with accumulation of dryness, tidal fever with delirium, jaundice and burns."
The Definitions of Drugs :"Rhubarb has such a heavily turbid smell that it goes straight down without stopping, so it can expel toxic substances easily.""...Distention and fullness in the chest and abdomen, heat accumulation in the chest and stomach, abdominal accumulation of phlegm of the excess type, constipation with blood stasis and amenorrhea."
1. To treat constipation and food stagnation in the stomach and intestines:
(A) Constipation and food stagnation in the stomach and intestines: Use it with mirabilite, immature citron or trifoliate orange (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus) and official magnolia bark, e.g., Da Chengqi Tang in order to strengthen the effects of relieving constipation by purgation and expelling pathogenic heat.
(B) Excess syndrome in the interior with the accumulation of heat, accompanied by deficiency of both qi and blood or by loss of body fluids due to yin deficiency: Use it with herbs for the nourishment of qi and blood or for the replenishment of yin to promote the production of body fluid.
(C) Constipation due to cold stagnation of food as a result of insufficiency of spleen-yang: Use it with herbs for the warming of the interior, such as monkshood root (Radix Aconiti Praeparata), dried ginger, etc., e.g., Weipi Tang.
(D) Initial attacks of dysentery due to damp-heat and abdominal pain with tenesmus (a distressing but ineffectual urge to evacuate the rectum or bladder) : Use it with Chinese goldthread rhizome (Rhizoma Coptidis), aucklandia root, etc., in order to clear stagnated food in the large intestine.
(E) Abdominal pain due to stagnation of food and diarrhea without smooth defecation: Use it with dried green orange peel, aucklandia root, etc., in order to purge stagnant food to remove stagnancy.
2. To treat hematemesis, epistaxis and hemoptysis due to blood heat and ailments caused by flaming-up of pathogenic fire such as conjunctivitis, sore throat, gingivitis, etc.:
Use it with Chinese goldthread rhizome (Rhizoma Coptidis) and skullcap root (Radix Scutellariae), e.g., Xiexin Tang. In modern clinical treatment of bleeding of the digestive tract, rhubarb powder alone has quite good curative effects .
3. To treat skin and external diseases due to toxic heat and burns and scalds:
(A) Carbuncles and furuncles due to toxic heat: Use it with honeysuckle flower (Flos Lonicerae), dandelion (Herba Taraxaci), weeping forsythia fruit (Fructus Forsythiae), etc. As this herb can clear away toxic heat and subdue swelling, it can be used externally by being ground into powder and mixed with honey for the application onto the affected part.
(B) Abdominal pain: Use it with tree peony root-bark, peach kernels, etc., e.g., Dahuang Mudan Tang.
(C) Aphthae of the mouth and tongue: Ground it with dried alum into powder and applied onto the affected part.
(D) Scalds and burns: Its powder can be used alone or in combination with garden burnet root (Radix Sanguisorbae) powder and mixed with sesame oil for application onto the affected part.
4. To treat syndromes of blood stasis:This herb has a better effect on promoting blood circulation by removing blood stasis, so it is a common herb for the treatment of blood stasis syndromes.
(A) Postpartum abdominal pain due to stasis and obstruction with unexpelled lochia: Use it with peach kernels, ground beetle, etc., e.g., Xia Yuxue Tang.
(B) Dysmenorrhea due to blood stasis: Use it with safflower, Chinese angelica, etc.
(C) Traumatic injuries with blood stasis, swelling and pain: Use it with peach kernels, safflower, pangolin scale, etc., e.g., Fuyuan Huoxue Tang.
5. To treat ailments due to damp-heat, such as jaundice, strangury, etc.:
(A) Jaundice due to damp-heat: Use it with capillary artemisia (Herba Artemisiae Scopariae) and cape jasmine fruit (Fructus Gardeniae), e.g., Yinchen Hao Tang.
(B) Strangury due to damp-heat: Use it with five-leaf akebia stem (Caulis Akebiae), Asian plantain seed (Semen Plantaginis), cape jasmine fruit (Fructus Gardeniae), etc., e.g., Bazheng San.
Warnings: This product is not recommended during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding as it can loosen the infant's bowels. Do not use when the colon is already empty or the astringent properties may cause colon discomfort. Using Rhubarb Root may temporarily cause the urine to appear yellow or red, but this is a common occurrence and no cause for alarm.
Dosage: Decoction: put l/2 - l teaspoonful of the root in a cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer gently for l0 minutes.This should be drunk morning and evening. Tincture: take l-2ml of the tincture three times a day.
3-12 g. Decoct the herb and the other ingredients for drinking. Use an adequate amount externally. Raw rhubarb has considerable purgative power, so it is suitable to be used when raw for catharsis. It should be decocted later when it is included in a decoction or it can be soaked in boiled water for oral administration.Its purgative power will be weakened if it is decocted for a long time. Rhubarb prepared with wine has a weaker purgative power, but it has a better effect on promoting blood circulation, so it is suitable for use to promote blood circulation by removing blood stasis. Charred rhubarb is mostly used for bleeding syndromes.
Preparations: Exercise caution when administering Da Huang to patients of spleen and stomach deficiencies, of qi and blood insufficiencies, or to pre-fetal and postpartum women, or women in menstruation or lactation.Reported adverse effects include nebula, intestinal melanosis, allergic purpura, and bullous eruption in new-born babies.
Cautions: aggravates tendency towards chronic constipation if used over a long time,should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women ,the leaf blades should not be used as they contain enough oxalic acid to cause poisoning.
As this herb is so bitter and cold as to be liable to impair stomach-qi, it should be used carefully by those deficient in spleen-yang. Since it is sinking and lowering in properties and good at promoting blood circulation by removing blood stasis, it should be avoided by women during pregnancy, menstruation or lactation.
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the leaves of some if not all members of this genus contain significant quantities of oxalic acid and should not be eaten in any quantity. Oxalic acid can lock up certain minerals in the body, especially calcium, leading to nutritional deficiency. The content of oxalic acid will be reduced if the plant is cooked. People with a tendency to rheumatism, arthritis, gout, kidney stones or hyperacidity should take especial caution if including this plant in their diet since it can aggravate their condition.
Safety and Toxicity:
Toxicity of Rhubarb Root Extract:
No deaths occurred within 72 hours of administering alcohol-based extract of Da Huang to mice by abdominal injection at 40g/kg; the same was true within 72 hours of administering Da Huang decoction to rats by oral feeding at 30g/kg.Reference: Wu Lian Ying, et al. Traditional Chinese Medicine Bulletin. 1985;10(6):18-21.
LD50 (mice/oral/herb decoction): 153.5+-4.5g/kg.Reference: Liu Xian Fang, et al. Journal of Integrated Medicine. 1985;5(11):691.
Toxicity of Chrysophanic Acid:
Mutagenic Data:Chrysophanic AcidMutation in microorganisms:Bacteria-Salmonella typhimurium.100 ug/plate.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:40,203,1976.
Mutation in microorganisms:Bacteria-Salmonella typhimurium.500 ug/plate.Reference:BCSTB5 Biochemical Society Transactions.(Biochemical Soc.Book Depot,POB 32,Commerce Way,Colchester,Essex CO2 8HP,UK)V.1-1973-Volume(issue)/page/year:5,1489,1977.
Toxicity of Emodin:
Acute Toxicity:EmodinLD50-Lethal dose,50 percent kill.Intraperitoneal.Rodent mouse.35 mg/kg.Toxic Effects:Gastrointestinal-other changes.Reference:JAFCAU Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.(American Chemical Soc.,Distribution Office Dept.223,POB 57136,West End Stn.,Washington,DC 20037)V.1-1953-Volume(issue)/page/year:27,1342,1979
Mutagenic Data:Emodin
Mutation in microorganisms.Bacteria-Salmonella typhimurium.50 ug/plate.Reference:BCSTB5 Biochemical Society Transactions.(Biochemical Soc.Book Depot,POB 32,Commerce Way,Colchester,Essex CO2 8HP,UK)V.1-1973-Volume(issue)/page/year:5,1489,1977.
Mutation in microorganisms.Bacteria-Salmonella typhimurium.2 ug/plate.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:188,161,1987.
Unsheduled DNA synthesis.Rodent-rat liver. 10 mg/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:240,1,1990.
Micronucleus test.Rodent-mouse Lymphocyte.60 umol/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:371,165,1996.
Morphological transformation.Rodent-mouse Fibroblast.3 mg/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:240,1,1990.
Mutation in mammalian somatic cells.Rodent-mouse Mammary gland.5 mg/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:204,329,1988.
Mutation in mammalian somatic cells.Rodent-mouse Lymphocyte.55500 nmol/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:371,165,1996.
Micronucleus test.Rodent-hamster Embryo.13750 ug/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:392,61,1997.
Sister chromatid exchange.Rodent-hamster Ovary.5 mg/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:269,27,1992.
Mutation in mammalian somatic cells.Rodent-hamster lung.10mg/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:240,1,1990.
Data in USA:Emodin
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988,Negative:B subtilis rec assay.
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988,Inconclusive:E coli polA without S9.
NTP Carcinogenesis studies: on test (two year studies),October 1997.
Toxicity of Rhein:
Acute Toxicity:RheinLD50-Lethal dose,50 percent kill.Oral.Rodent-mouse.>5 gm(5000 mgs)/kg.Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value.PHTOEH Pharmacology and Toxicology(Copenhagen).(Munksgaard International Pub.,POB 2148,DK-1016 Copenhagen K,Denmark)V.60-1987-Volume(issue)/page/year: 61,153,1987
LD50-Lethal dose,50 percent kill.Intravenous.Rodent-mouse.>25 mg/kg.Details of toxic effects not reported other than lethal dose value.Reference:PHTOEH Pharmacology and Toxicology(Copenhagen).(Munksgaard International Pub.,POB 2148,DK-1016 Copenhagen K,Denmark)V.60-1987-Volume(issue)/page/year: 61,153,1987
Toxicity of Aloe-emodin:
Mutagenic Data:Aloe-emodin
Micronucleus test.Rodent-mouse Lymphocyte.20 umol/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:371,165,1996
Morphological transformation.Rodent-mouse Fibroblast.3 mg/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:204,1,1990
Mutation in mammalian somatic cells.Rodent-mouse Lymphocyte.55500 nmol/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:371,165,1996
Cytogenetic analysis.Rodent-hamster Ovary.18750 ug/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:367,123,1996
Mutation in mammalian somatic cells.Rodent-hamster Lung.10 mg/L.Reference:MUREAV Mutation Research.(Elsevier Science Pub.B.V.,POB 211,1000 AE Amsterdam,Netherlands)V.1-1964-Volume(issue)/page/year:240,1,1990
Data in USA:Aloe-emodin
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988,Weekly Postive:Histidine reversion-Ames test.
Toxicity of Physcion:
Acute Toxicity:PhyscionLD50-Lethal dose,50 percent kill.Intraperitoneal.Rodent-mouse.10mg/kg.Gastrointestinal-other changes.Reference:JAFCAU Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.(American Chemical Soc.,Distribution Office Dept.223,POB 57136,West End Stn.,Washington,DC 20037)V.1-1953-Volume(issue)/page/year:27,1342,1979
Mutagenic Data:Physcion
Mutation in microorganisms.Bacteria-Salmonella typhimurium.100 ug/plate.Reference:JAFCAU Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.(American Chemical Soc.,Distribution Office Dept.223,POB 57136,West End Stn.,Washington,DC 20037)V.1-1953-Volume(issue)/page/year:27,1342,1979.
Data in USA:Physcion
EPA GENETOX PROGRAM 1988,Positive:Histidine reversion-Ames test.
Reference:
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- 1.Rhubarb,More than laxative or astringent,Rhubarb Elixir and natural Anthraquinone source.
This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.
♣ last edit date:14th,Oct.2010.
