Rhubarb (Dahuang)
Rheum palmatum L. (Fam. Polygonaceae)
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix et Rhizoma
rhei
Botanical Name: 1. Rheum
palmatum L.; 2. Rheum officinale
Baill.; 3. Rheum tanguticum Maxim. ex
Balf. (Fam. Polygonaceae)
Common Name: Rhubarb, Chinese
rhubarb.
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong
Bencao Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations:
Dried root and rhizome.
Radix et Rhizoma Rhei is
produced mainly in Qinghai and Sichuan provinces. The herb is dug in the late
autumn when the stems and leaves begin to wither or in early spring before the
plant begins to sprout, then dried and sliced. It is used unprepared, stir-baked
with wine, carbonized, or processed by other methods.
Properties
& Taste: Bitter and cold.
Meridians: Spleen, stomach, large
intestine and liver.
Functions: 1. To promote bowel
movement; 2. To reduce fire and release toxins; 3. To invigorate blood
Indications & Combinations:
1. Constipation: a) heat accumulated in
constipationRhubarb (Dahuang) is used with Glauber's salt (Mangxiao) in the
formula Da Chengqi Tang; b) cold accumulation in constipationRhubarb (Dahuang)
is used with Prepared aconite root (Fuzi) and Dried ginger (Ganjiang) in the
formula Wenpi Tang; c) constipation with heat accumulation and damage to
yinRhubarb (Dahuang) is used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang),
Scrophularia (Xuanshen) and Ophiopogon root (Maidong) in the formula Zengye
Chengqi Tang.
2. Extravasation due to heat in the blood
manifested as vomiting with blood and epistaxis, or upward attack by pathogenic
fire manifested as red, painful and swollen eyes, sore throat and painful and
swollen gums. These two syndromes are treated by combining Rhubarb
(Dahuang), Coptis root (Huanglian) and Scutellaria root (Huangqin) in the
formula Xiexin Tang.
3. Stagnation of blood manifested as
amenorrhea, postpartum retention of lochia, postpartum abdominal pain,
abdominal masses and traumatic injury. Rhubarb (Dahuang) is used with
Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong), Peach seed (Taoren), Safflower (Honghua) and
Moutan bark (Mudanpi).
4. Boils, carbuncles and furuncles.
Rhubarb (Dahuang) is used with Peach seed (Taoren) and Moutan bark (Mudanpi).
Dosage:
1.
3-12 g,
decocted in water for an oral dose.
2.
Appropriate quantity for external use after grinding into powder.
3.
The unprepared Radix et Rhizoma Rhei has drastic cathartic action, whereas the
prepared has mild actions. For catharsis, it should be boiled later than other
herbs or steeped in boiling water for an oral dose. To promote blood
circulation, it should be used stir-baked with wine. To arrest bleeding, it
should be carbonized.
Cautions & Contraindications: The
raw herb is strong in moving feces. Fried with wine, the herb is good for
invigorating blood. The carbonized herb is applied during hemorrhagic disease.
Overboiling of the herb weakens the function of purgation. This herb is
contraindicated during menstruation and pregnancy.
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