A botanical line drawing of a plant with large, lobed leaves and multiple clustered flower spikes.

Rhubarb Root (Rheum palmatum)

Rheum palmatum, commonly known as Chinese or Turkish Rhubarb, is a medicinal plant native to Asia and widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for over two millennia. The dried root and rhizome are traditionally valued for their ability to stimulate digestion, promote elimination, and support detoxification pathways in the body.

 

The root contains a diverse range of bioactive compounds, particularly anthraquinones such as emodin, rhein, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol and physcion. These compounds contribute to rhubarb’s well-known purgative and antimicrobial properties, while also demonstrating anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects in modern pharmacological research.

 

Traditionally, rhubarb root has been used to regulate gastrointestinal function, clear excess heat, remove stagnation, and support the body’s natural detoxification processes. In smaller doses it can act as a digestive tonic due to its tannin content, while larger doses exert a laxative effect through stimulation of intestinal motility.

 

Modern research continues to explore its therapeutic potential, noting a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular protective actions.

Part used:

Root and rhizome

Energetics: 

Bitter, cold, drying

Actions:

Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, purgative, hepatoprotective, digestive stimulant

Indications:

Constipation, digestive stagnation and sluggish digestion, liver and gallbladder congestion, accumulation of metabolic waste or toxins, inflammatory digestive conditions

References:
  1. Miao H, Wang K-E, Li P, Zhao Y-Y. Rhubarb: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Multiomics-Based Novel Pharmacological and Toxicological Mechanisms. Drug Design, Development and Therapy (2025). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12558105/
  2. Wang Z-W et al. Developmental changes in the composition of anthraquinones from Rheum palmatum. Phytochemical Analysis (2013). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23364921/
  3. Cao Y-J et al. Advances in bio-active constituents, pharmacology and clinical applications of rhubarb. Chinese Medicine (2017). https://cmjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13020-017-0158-5
Related products:

Rhubarb root is used in our Essiac Tea

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