Rheum palmatum
Rheum palmatum, commonly known as Tibetan rhubarb, is a powerhouse of traditional medicine. Renowned for its potent purgative properties, its roots contain anthraquinones that effectively treat constipation and digestive disorders. Beyond digestion, it is valued for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, making it a vital botanical in herbal pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Rheum palmatum
- Family: Polygonaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Polygonaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rheum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Polygonaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rheum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Rheum palmatum, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Poland, it is known as Rabarbar dłoniasty, while in Russia, it is called Ревень пальчатый. In Azerbaijan, the plant is referred to as Tanqut rəvəndi, and in Sweden, it is commonly called Flikrabarber. Additionally, in Arabic, it is identified as راوند كفي.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | Rabarbar dłoniasty | Wikidata |
| ru | Ревень пальчатый | Wikidata |
| az | Tanqut rəvəndi | Wikidata |
| sv | Flikrabarber | Wikidata |
| ar | راوند كفي | Wikidata |
| zh | 掌叶大黄 | Wikidata |
| uk | Ревінь пальчастий | Wikidata |
| cy | Rhiwbob addurniadol | Wikidata |
| th | จางเยี่ยต้าหวาง | Wikidata |
| fa | ریواس چینی | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Europe, its presence is noted within the borders of Great Britain. Moving toward Asia, it is widely distributed throughout various parts of China. Specifically, it can be found in China South-Central, China North-Central, and the Qinghai province. Additionally, its range extends into the Inner Mongolia region of China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Rheum palmatum, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties derived from its underground structures. While many plants utilize various organs, the therapeutic focus for this species is concentrated on the roots. Specifically, practitioners often refer to the harvested material as rhubarb roots, which are harvested to extract key bioactive compounds. Although some species in the genus may produce seeds, it is the thick, fleshy rhizomes and the extensive root system that serve as the primary source for pharmacological applications.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 13
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhubarb roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhei Rhizoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rheum palmatum has 66 reported phytochemicals identified across 131 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include emodin, rhein, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, anthraquinones.
- Total chemicals
- 66
- Scientific sources
- 131
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| emodin | 15 | ★★★★★ |
| rhein | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| aloe-emodin | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| chrysophanol | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| anthraquinones | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| sennoside A | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Aloe-emodin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| physcion | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Emodin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Rheum palmatum has 22 reported activities identified across 43 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Antimicrobial.
- Total activities
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 43
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Laxative | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Estrogenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rheum palmatum has 55 reported medicinal uses identified across 70 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include obesity, constipation, cancer, renal failure, diarrhea.
- Total uses
- 55
- Scientific sources
- 70
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| obesity | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| constipation | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| renal failure | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| metabolic syndrome | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus fumigatus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chronic Renal Failure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |