rhubarb
Rheum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (23 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Rhubarb, scientifically known as Rheum, is a versatile perennial herb valued for its potent medicinal properties. Primarily recognized for its high anthraquinone content, it serves as a powerful natural laxative. Beyond digestive support, various species are utilized in traditional medicine to stimulate appetite and support liver function effectively.
- Family
- Polygonaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Rhizome · Root
- Common names
- Rhubarb · Rhubarbs
- Scientific synonyms
- Rhabarbarum
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- rhubarb
- Rhubarbs
Scientific Names
Accepted name
RheumSynonyms
- Rhabarbarum
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Ruibarbos
German:
- Rhabarber
French:
- rhubarbe
- rhubarbe rouge
- rhubarbe verte
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
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. Finally, it is identified by the genus Rheum.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Caryophyllales |
| Family | Polygonaceae |
| Genus | Rheum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Great Britain and Norway. Moving toward the center of the continent, its presence is documented throughout Germany. The species also inhabits parts of Middle Europe, specifically within Austria. Finally, its geographical range extends into the Czechia-Slovakia region.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain |
| Northern Europe | Norway |
| Middle Europe | Austria |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia |
| Middle Europe | Germany |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria |
| Eastern Europe | Central European Russia |
| Eastern Europe | East European Russia |
| Eastern Europe | South European Russia |
| Eastern Europe | Ukraine |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Plant Parts
Rheum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, root.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Rhizome | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Root | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Rhizome
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Root
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Chemicals
Rheum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aloe emodin, Rhaponticin, Rhein, emodin, Anthraquinones.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aloe emodin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhaponticin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhein | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| emodin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anthraquinones | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chrysophanol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Physcion | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stilbenes | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Aloe emodin
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Rhaponticin
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Rhein
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
emodin
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Anthraquinones
- BMC plant biology
Chrysophanol
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
Flavonoids
- BMC plant biology
Physcion
- Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
Stilbenes
- BMC plant biology
Medicinal Uses
Rheum has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include chronic renal failure, anorexia, azotemia, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, pulmonary fibrosis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| chronic renal failure | Chinese medical journal (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anorexia | Chinese medical journal (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| azotemia | Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi = Chinese journal of modern developments in traditional medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neonatal hyperbilirubinemia | Zhonghua Minguo xiao er ke yi xue hui za zhi [Journal]. Zhonghua Minguo xiao er ke yi xue hui (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pulmonary fibrosis | International immunopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| renal failure | Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi = Chinese journal of modern developments in traditional medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| uremia | Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi = Chinese journal of modern developments in traditional medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| CPM-Rheum | Clinical nephrology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Qinghai Wild Dahuang Tea | Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rheum E | Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi = Chinese journal of modern developments in traditional medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhubarb product | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Toh-Rhubarb | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| decoction | Zhonghua Minguo xiao er ke yi xue hui za zhi [Journal]. Zhonghua Minguo xiao er ke yi xue hui (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| slices | Biologia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |